Dustin Mitchell Kjersem, 35, was initially believed to have been killed by a bear, but a police investigation found he was in fact the victim of a brutal homicide

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.

Dustin Mitchell Kjersem, 35, was found dead in his tent on Oct. 12. He died after sustaining multiple chop wounds and his death has been ruled a homicide, officials said.

Dustin Kjersem, 35, was found dead from a "vicious" attack while camping near Big Sky, Montana, last Saturday. No suspect is in custody. (Credit: Gallatin County Sheriff's Office)

There have been previous grizzly bear attacks in the forests of southwestern Montana, but investigators found no evidence of any bears at Kjersem’s campsite. They’re now investigating 35-year-old Kjersem’s death as a homicide,

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,

Dustin Kjersem sustained "multiple chop wounds," including to his skull, an autopsy revealed. His killer has not been found.

When Dustin Kjersem was found dead inside his tent at a remote Montana campsite, the victim had injuries so brutal that it was initially reported as a possible bear mauling.