A Montana camper believed to be mauled by a bear turned out to be a victim of a brutal homicide, authorities said Wednesday. Dustin Kjersem, 35, of Belgrade, about an hour-and-half drive southeast of Helena, went camping northeast of Big Sky on October 10, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said at a news conference Wednesday.

A 35-year-old man camping in a remote Montana forest was found killed in his tent following a vicious attack initially suspected of being a bear mauling, authorities said. Victim Dustin Kjersem went camping northeast of Big Sky, Montana, on Oct. 10 with plans to meet a friend the next day, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said.

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 gruesome death that was initially reported to be a bear attack is now being investigated by Montana authorities as a vicious homicide.

The victim, identified as Dustin Mitchell Kjersem, was found dead in a tent, about 2.5 miles up Moose Creek Road, north of Big Sky.

Investigators are asking for help solving a "vicious" murder in a remote camping in Montana that was so brutal a 911 caller had reported it as a possible bear attack.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said he does not know if there is currently an active threat to the public

When investigators responded, a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks agent with expertise in bear attacks didn't find any signs of bear activity at the scene. That's when investigator

The death of 35-year-old Dustin Kjersem, initially reported as a bear attack, is now being investigated as a homicide by the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office in Montana. Kjersem was found dead in his tent on October 12 in a remote camping area approximately 2.