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Daren Christopher Abbey has been charged with the murder of Montana’s father, Dustin Kjersem (Montana Department of Corrections)

A beer can left at a crime scene helped officials pursue a man accused of beating to death a Montana father and avid outdoorsman in his tent, police said.

Gallatin County detectives were able to identify Daren Christopher Abbey based on a DNA sample collected from a beer can inside the store where Dustin Kjersem was found dead. The can was sent to the Montana State Crime Laboratory.

Abbey, 41, allegedly killed Kjersem, 35, after a “chance encounter” while camping near Big Sky, Montana, in October.

Abbey is in custody in Butte, Montana, where he was detained for an unrelated parole violation. He is expected to be transported to Gallatin County to face charges of deliberate homicide and two counts of tampering with evidence.

MURDER SUSPECT ON CAMPING TRIP IDENTIFIED AFTER DAD FOUND KILLED IN STORE

“This appears to be a heinous crime committed by an individual who had no regard for the life of Dustin Kjersem,” Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said in a statement. press conference Thursday.

Abbey confessed to the murder Tuesday after being interviewed by detectives, Springer added.

The suspect has tattoos all over his body, including an “iron cross with swastika” and another “swastika, SS lightning bolt,” symbols used by Germany’s Nazi Party, according to his profile on the Montana Department of Corrections website. .

“This individual removed items from the camp that he believed held evidence that could link him to the crime. He removed the items he had touched, including the cooler, firearms, and axe, and returned to the crime the following night, removing more elements,” Springer added. “This is the behavior of a guilty individual who thought he could get away with murder.”

Springer said Kjersem arrived in the Moose Creek area on Thursday, Oct. 10, and set up camp, which included “a tent complete with wood stove, beds, lanterns and many other items.” During Abbey’s confession, police learned that the suspect was looking for a campsite that Thursday night and had planned for that particular site.

“As he approached the site, he realized that someone was staying there,” (Abbey) said. Dustin welcomed him to the camp and offered him a beer,” Springer added. “At some point, this individual he hit Dustin Kjersem with a piece of solid wood, stabbed him in the neck with a screwdriver, and finally Hit him with the axe.”

CRIME SCENE CLUE COULD HELP SOLVE MURDER ON YOUNG DAD’S CAMPING TRIP WHILE KILLER REMAINS AT LOOSE

In a previous news release, authorities asked the public to help locate a blue and silver ax from Camp Estwing, which they believed was taken from the crime scene. (Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office)

Kjersem had planned to leave camp and pick up his girlfriend on Friday night, October 11, so they could spend the weekend together, but when he didn’t show up as planned, his girlfriend became worried.

On Saturday morning, October 12, she and a friend drove to the camp, where they found Kjersem dead in the tent.

Kjersem was initially believed to have been attacked by a bear, until authorities determined it was a homicide.

“By all indications, this homicide appears to be a chance encounter,” Springer said. “There does not appear to be any connection between our victim and our suspect.“.

FAMILY OF AN OUTDOOR-LOVING MAN KILLED IN A TENT AFRAID OF CAMPING WITH A KILLER ON THE LOOSE

The suspect lived in Cuenca, Montana, and working in the Big Sky area, Springer noted, adding that he was in the construction business. “He lived, I won’t say transiently, but he was in multiple different areas.”

GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CENTER OF CRIME

“To the family and friends of Dustin Kjersem, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. No one deserves to have this happen to you,” Springer said. “I hope this can bring some peace to all of you, and I’m sorry you have to go through this.”

Kjersem’s sister, Jillian Price, previously told Fox News Digital that Kjersem has a daughter and a stepson.

When asked what he hopes others remember about his brother, he said, “I wish they could have heard his laugh, but I just hope they know how loving he was.”

Dustin Kjersem was found dead in his tent while camping in Montana. Police described it as a “vicious attack.” (Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office)

“For other criminals, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and its partners will not tolerate this type of behavior. You will not get away with this in our community,” Springer said. “If you have any urge to commit these types of crimes, let us know, we will hunt you down and make sure you never see the light of day again.”

“Although a suspect has been arrested and charged, there are still months of work to be done,” he added. “The motives for this attack remain unknown and investigators will continue to gather as many pieces as they can to get a better picture of the events of that night.”

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