A suspect in the murder of a man whose death in Montana It was initially thought to have been caused by a bear. is in custody, the Gallatin County sheriff said Wednesday.

The suspect in the death of Dustin Kjersem, whose body was found in a remote area on October 12, was not immediately released.

“The suspect is currently in custody on unrelated charges,” Sheriff Dan Springer said in a statement. “The suspect is cooperating with our detectives and has led us to evidence we identified in previous press releases.”

The suspect acted alone and there is no threat to the community, Springer said.

The body of Kjersem, 35, of Belgrade, Montana, was found in his tent about 2.5 miles off Moose Creek Road, and the person who found the remains reported it may have been the work of a bear, they said. the authorities.

The attack was described as “vicious” and Kjersem died after suffering “multiple slash wounds,” according to his autopsy, Gallatin County sheriff’s Capt. Nathan Kamerman said earlier this month.

Kjersem was last seen on October 10, two days before his body was found.

Kjersem was in an area that is not an official campground, but is a “standard forest service area where people make their own camps” and where there are many hunters, outfitters and people who live in the area, the sheriff said.

The murder remains under investigation, the sheriff said.

During the investigation, officials said last week that missing items were discovered and identified at the campground, including a shotgun, a revolver, a cooler and an axe, and asked the public to be on the lookout for them.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue for the family of Dustin Kjersem,” Springer said Wednesday. “We hope that, in a small way, our efforts can bring you some peace during this horrible time. Our entire community grieves with you.”