A man was found dead while camping near Big Sky, Montana, last weekend, and investigators are calling the incident a homicide.
The victim was identified as Dustin Mitchell Jelsem, 35, of Belgrade, Montana.
The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office said in a statement: “This was a vicious attack and detectives are working diligently to locate and follow up on leads.” press release.
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Condos and homes in the mountains surrounding Big Sky Ski Resort in south-central Montana. (Don & Melinda Crawford/Education Images/Universal Images Group)
Just after 10 a.m. Saturday, a caller reported finding a man's body inside a tent along Moose Creek Road north of Big Sky. The caller initially said the cause of death may have been a bear attack, according to the release.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. US Forest Service. Montana Highway Patrol. and the Big Sky Fire Department.
Officials with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, who are familiar with bear attacks, responded to the scene, but after finding no signs of bear activity, investigators decided to treat the incident as a homicide.
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Lone Peak Ski Resort and Moonlight Basin Ski Resort in Big Sky, Montana. (TMI / Alamy Stock Photo)
An autopsy further confirmed that the death was a homicide.
Authorities are following leads but have not yet arrested a suspect.
Panoramic view of Big Sky, Montana. (St. Petersburg)
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“If you or someone you know has been in the area within the past week and made any observations, please contact the Sheriff's Office,” police wrote in a release.
“If you have game cameras or trail cameras in the area, please contact the GCSO Detective Division at 406-582-2121 or email detectives@gallatin.mt.gov.”
