Authorities in Montana say a 911 caller discovered his friend dead in a tent in what appeared to have been a fatal bear attack — but officials soon discovered the camper was actually the victim of a brutal murder.
A friend who was supposed to have met Kjersem went searching for him when he didn't show up as scheduled on Friday.
The friend ultimately discovered Kjersem's body in a tent at a makeshift campsite and called 911, telling responders the death appeared to have been caused by a bear attack, the sheriff's office said.
Kjersem, who was last seen on Thursday afternoon, sustained "multiple chop wounds," including to his skull, an autopsy showed.
"People have asked me if there's a threat to this community and the answer is we don't know.
"If you saw something weird in the canyon area, or in town with his truck, please reach out to us.".
"There is someone in our valley who is capable of truly heinous things. »
