Montana

Montana man reported to be killed in bear attack died by homicide in ‘a vicious attack’

Published

1 year ago

October 17, 2024

Montana man reported to be killed in bear attack died by homicide in ‘a vicious attack’

A man was found dead in a tent in Montana in a case of apparent homicide and not a bear attack as initially reported.

Shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday, a caller reported “discovering a deceased male in a tent” approximately 2.5 miles up Moose Creek Road, north of Big Sky about 150 miles west of Billings, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Tuesday.

“The caller indicated that the death may have been caused by a bear attack,” the news release said.

Multiple agencies, including the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and U.S. Forest Service responded to the incident. However, an FWP officer with expertise in bear attacks “did not find any signs of bear activity at the scene,” the news release said, prompting investigators to “treat the case as a homicide.”

The victim was identified as Dustin Mitchell Kjersem, 35, of Belgrade, Montana.

Further evidence, including an autopsy indicated the incident to be a homicide, authorities said. Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer, at a news conference Wednesday, said the autopsy showed the victim sustained “multiple chop wounds,” including to his skull. While authorities do not have an exact idea of the weapon used, Springer said it was “hard enough to cause significant damage to the “skull as well as some flesh areas.”

“This incident was a vicious attack, and detectives are working hard to develop and track down leads,” the news release said.

Victim last seen two days before

Kjersem was found dead by his friend in a tent at a makeshift campsite, after he went searching for Kjersem when he didn’t show up as per their plan on Friday, Springer said at the news conference. The friend was the one who called and alerted 911, telling responders the death appeared to have been caused by a bear attack, Springer said.

Kjersem was last seen in the afternoon on Oct. 10, authorities said, and was driving a black 2013 Ford F-150 with a black topper and a silver aluminum ladder rack. Detective Nate Kamerman said Kjersem was in contact with people Thursday afternoon as he drove up to the campsite, where service is limited, adding he was missing between Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning.

Kamerman said Kjersem’s tent was well-kept and had “lots of equipment” in it, indicating he had planned to spend the weekend with his friend there and had set it all up.

‘A skilled tradesman and a loving father’

Speaking at the press conference, Kjersem’s sister Jillian Price requested the community to step forward and help determine her brother’s killer. Price said Kjersem, who was born in Bozeman and worked all over the Gallatin Valley, was a skilled tradesman and a loving father.

“I asked our community to please find out who did this,” Price said. “There is someone in our valley who is capable of truly heinous things.”

Authorities seek public assistance

No suspects have been identified or arrested and Springer said the remote location of the crime scene made the investigation more challenging than most cases.

Authorities have requested anyone with information on the case or with game or trail cameras in the area to “please come forward” and contact the sheriff’s office at 406-582-2121 or via email at detectives@gallatin.mt.gov.

“Even the smallest detail could be crucial to the investigation,” the sheriff’s office said Wednesday. “Your assistance is invaluable, and all information is greatly appreciated.”

The sheriff’s office also warned residents and visitors to remain vigilant in they are out in the woods and alert authorities immediately if they observe any suspicious activity.

“People have asked me if there’s a threat to this community and the answer is we don’t know,” he said. “We don’t have enough information to know at this time, but we do know that someone was out there who killed someone in a very heinous way.”

“No information is too small,” Springer said. “If there’s something, please call us.”

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

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Montana

March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

Published

5 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

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Montana

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Published

17 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Although newly minted GOP candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have garnered heavyweight endorsements, the Montana Republican Party said Thursday it won’t throw its support behind any candidates for federal office in the primary.

“The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates,” the Montana GOP said in a news release Thursday.

Monday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he was retiring due to health concerns once his term ends, and he immediately tapped talk-show host Aaron Flint as his preferred successor in Congress.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Flathead County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Al Olszewski also filed for the U.S. House as Republicans, as did Ray Curtis of Bonner.

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew, and in a statement the same night, announced an endorsement of former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, who had filed the same day.

In the Senate, Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child also filed to run in the Republican primary.

Endorsements for Flint and Alme cascaded. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed both candidates, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte threw their weight behind Flint and Alme.

Late on Wednesday, the Montana GOP did not immediately have comment on the news Daines, Montana’s senior U.S. senator, had resigned, but Thursday, the party thanked Zinke and Daines for their service.

A news release said the party would not endorse any candidates in the federal primary and would leave the job in the hands of voters.

“The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats — as well as phony ‘Independents,’” the news release said.

Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced a run for the U.S. Senate as an independent this week.

A tension within the Republican party has emerged in recent years between hardline conservatives and more moderate members, and some legislative primaries illustrate the split.

This week, the state GOP said the number of primaries for state legislative seats shows a high interest from Montanans who want to serve the state and pass Republican policy, and the MTGOP “is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.”

In a brief call, MTGOP spokesperson Ethan Holmes said the party had not ruled out endorsements in legislative primaries.

In the news release, however, the MTGOP offered its view of the larger political debate.

“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairperson Art Wittich said in a statement.

The news release also said the state GOP is working “tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future” at both the state and federal level and looks forward to help candidates whom voters select win in November.

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Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for March 4, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing

07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 4 drawing

33-38-39-47-51, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 4 drawing

01-07-08-27, Bonus: 12

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 4 drawing

05-10-26-53-59, Powerball: 06

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from March 4 drawing

03-04-06-08-10

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing

12-13-36-39-58, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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