A jury found Daren Christopher Abbey guilty of murder and tampering with evidence for the brutal killing of Dustin Kjersem at a Montana campsite in October 2024, which was initially suspected to be a bear attack. Abbey used a block of wood, an axe, and a screwdriver, inflicting multiple chop wounds, and later admitted to stealing Kjersem’s belongings. His defense claimed self-defense, but inconsistencies in his story led to doubts. Abbey, linked to white supremacist groups, will be sentenced on December 30, with no death penalty sought by prosecutors.
