A man police believe was murdered was found with such horrific injuries his death was initially reported as a bear attack.
Dustin Kjersem, from Belgrade, Montana in the US, was last seen on Thursday October 10 when he left in his pick-up truck for a weekend camping in Big Sky, 45 miles away.
The 35-year-old father and tradesman was due to meet a friend on Friday afternoon but never turned up.
The friend went searching for Dustin the following morning and was horrified tofind him dead in his tent at a campsite.
His injuries were so intense the friend reported the incident to emergency services as a bear attack, according to local news site 7 KBZK Bozeman.
But after investigation, police concluded he was murdered and are now on the hunt for the person or people behind the brutal attack.
‘This is a homicide. And we are working all hours of the day and night to find his killer,’ said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer.
Dustin sustained multiple ‘chop’ wounds from a weapon that remains undetermined, said police.
Detectives have pursued a few different leads but no one is currently in custody, they added.
Paying tribute, Dustin’s older sister Jillian Price said at a news conference: ”This weekend we lost our brother. Our son. Our uncle. Our best friend. And our dad – in the most unimaginable way.
‘He was born here in Bozeman. And he worked all over the valley.
‘He could’ve framed your house. He could’ve poured your foundation. He could’ve installed your countertops. He was a hard-working, skilled tradesman.’
She and the police urged anyone who might be able to help with the investigation to get in touch.
Jillian said: ‘There is someone in our valley that is capable of truly heinous things. Please, if you were in Moose Creek at any time from Thursday to Saturday, please call and talk. Even if you think you didn’t see anything.’
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