Darren Christopher Abbey Sentenced for the Murder of Dustin Kjersem

BOZEMAN — Today, before the Honorable Judge Peter Ohman, Darren Christopher Abbey was sentenced to 100 years to the Montana State Prison with an 80-year parole restriction, following his jury convictions for deliberate homicide and two counts of tampering with evidence. The convictions stem from the October 2024 killing of Dustin Kjersem at a remote Moose Creek campsite near Big Sky, Montana.

After a six-day jury trial in November 2025, a Gallatin County jury rejected Abbey’s claim of self-defense and found him guilty on all counts.

The evidence established that Abbey violently attacked Kjersem using a block of wood, an axe, and a screwdriver, inflicting multiple chop wounds, including severe injuries to Kjersem’s skull. Following the killing, Abbey took Kjersem’s firearms, cooler, cellphones, and other personal property. He later returned to the campsite to retrieve additional items and attempted to conceal evidence of the crime. DNA recovered from a beer can located inside the victim’s tent conclusively linked Abbey to the scene.

At sentencing, the State of Montana argued that Abbey should be sentenced to life imprisonment in Montana State Prison without the possibility of parole. The State emphasized the brutal nature of the crime, Abbey’s lengthy criminal history, and the profound and lasting harm inflicted on Kjersem’s family, friends, and the broader community. Multiple witnesses testified to the devastating emotional, personal, and communal impact of Dustin Kjersem’s death.

The defense requested a lesser sentence totaling sixty (60) years to Montana State Prison. During sentencing, Abbey addressed the Court and the victim’s family, stating in part that he “never intended this to happen,” that he was “sorry for your loss,” and asking Kjersem’s family and friends to “find it in your hearts to forgive me, if not today then in time.” Abbey also asked the Court for leniency.

After considering the arguments of counsel, the evidence presented at trial, victim impact testimony, and the statutory sentencing factors under Montana law, Judge Ohman sentenced Abbey to 100 years in the Montana State Prison with an 80-year parole restriction. In pronouncing his sentence Judge Ohman stated that Abbey poses “a serious concern and threat to the public.”

Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell issued the following statement after sentencing:

“Some people are meant to be separated from society. Darren Abbey is one of them. The violence he inflicted, his actions afterward, and the lifelong harm he caused demonstrate that he can never safely be allowed back into our community.”

The case is now concluded at the district court level. Any further proceedings will be handled through the appellate process as provided by law.

The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office extends its sincere thanks to the Montana Department of Justice, Prosecution Services Bureau, for lead prosecution of this case, and to the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, whose detectives worked tirelessly to solve this homicide and secure justice for Dustin Kjersem and his family.