Month: November 2024

A suspect has been taken into custody nearly three weeks after a Montana camper was found brutally killed in an attack that was initially reported as a bear attack, authorities said late Wednesday. The suspect was in custody on unrelated charges, authorities said.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office said it had identified a suspect in the murder of Dustin Kjersem, who was found dead on October 12 in a tent about two-and-a-half miles up Moose Creek Road (east of Big Sky) after a friend who went looking for him called 911, telling the dispatcher that Kjersem appeared to have been attacked by a bear. After the 911 call, investigators from several agencies, including a bear expert from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, examined the site but did not find any signs of bear activity.

According to the sheriff’s office, an autopsy later determined that the 35-year-old Kjersem had suffered “multiple chop wounds.” Investigators initially said they did not know what weapon was used, but Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer later said “we do know it was something hard enough to cause significant damage to the skull as well as some flesh areas of the body. He was brutally killed at his campsite.” The sheriff’s office noted that several items, including a camp axe, a shotgun, a revolver, and a cooler had gone missing from the scene of the crime.

The sheriff’s office said on Facebook : “The suspect is cooperating with our detectives and has led us to the evidence we have identified in prior press releases. The investigation into the homicide continues. It is believed the suspect acted alone and there is no longer a threat to the community.  Our thoughts and prayers continue for the family of Dustin Kjersem. We hope, by some small measure, our efforts can bring them a bit of peace during this horrific time. Our entire community mourns with you. Further details and charges are forthcoming, but it is important for this community to know they are safe to resume their outdoor activities. The sheriff’s office will have a further comment regarding this investigation until charges are filed.”

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A Florida man is accused of viciously attacking a deaf and nonverbal passenger while he was sleeping on a cross-country United Airlines flight earlier this week. The assault occurred nearly two hours into United Airlines Flight 2247 from San Francisco to Dulles International Airport in Virgina on Monday, federal authorities said. The FBI and Federal Aviation Administration are both investigating after the minute-long attack left the male passenger bloodied and with black eyes.

According to a criminal complaint, the incident began after Everett Chad Nelson, 44, left his seat in 35F and got up to use the bathroom in the front of the plane. Upon returning to his seat, Nelson stopped at seat 12F and “without notice, began physically attacking a sleeping male passenger by punching him repeatedly in the face and head until blood was drawn,” the complaint states. Nelson reportedly hit the man repeatedly for a full minute before another passenger intervened and restrained him, while a doctor on the flight treated the non-verbal injured passenger, who was able to communicate with the flight crew using text messages.

Everett later said the passenger had previously attacked him on the street, but the man denied ever having seen him before. Everett was moved to a seat at the front of the aircraft and kept under watch, and was arrested upon arrival charged with one count of assault by beating, striking, and wounding. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

United Airlines said in a statement: “The flight landed safely and was met by paramedics and local law enforcement. Thanks to the quick action of our crew and customers, one passenger was restrained after becoming physically aggressive toward another customer on a flight from San Francisco to Washington Dulles on Monday.”

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