A Montana man, Daren Christopher Abbey, has pleaded not guilty to charges of deliberate homicide and evidence tampering in the death of 35-year-old Dustin Kjersem. The case, which began with claims of self-defense, has taken a dramatic turn, with investigators uncovering inconsistencies in Abbey’s story.
It all started in October when Kjersem’s girlfriend discovered his lifeless body in a tent near Big Sky, a picturesque area just south of Bozeman. At first, the tragedy was reported as a bear attack. But as detectives dug deeper, they found signs of a more sinister story. Beer cans and shot glasses inside the tent hinted that Kjersem wasn’t alone on the night of October 10. A DNA test on one of the cans led police to Abbey and, surprisingly, to someone believed to be his twin brother. However, Abbey’s brother was ruled out since he was behind bars at the time.
Abbey, 41, later admitted to a violent confrontation with Kjersem. According to him, Kjersem had threatened him and his dog with a gun. In response, Abbey said he struck Kjersem with a block of wood and stabbed him in the neck with a screwdriver. But that’s not all—investigators say Abbey also used an axe, which he initially failed to mention. His account of where he found the axe kept changing, and court documents reveal he rinsed both the axe and screwdriver in a nearby creek.
Instead of reporting what happened, Abbey said he panicked because of his criminal record. He confessed to taking items from the scene, including a cooler of beer, some guns, two cellphones, and other belongings from Kjersem’s truck. He even returned the next day to retrieve a beanie he thought he’d left behind.
Authorities later recovered an axe, a shotgun, a revolver, and the cooler, which they believe Abbey had removed from the crime scene.
Adding to the case’s complexities, Abbey is reportedly linked to white supremacist groups. Jail records describe tattoos on his body, including an iron cross and a swastika. This detail has added a darker layer to an already disturbing story.
As for Kjersem, his family is grieving the loss of a man they describe as a talented tradesman and a devoted father. His sister, Jillian Price, shared that he leaves behind children who are now the focus of a fundraising effort. A GoFundMe campaign has already raised over $37,000 to support them.
Abbey is currently being held on a $1.5 million bail as the case unfolds in court.
