( NewsNation ) — DNA from a beer can led Montana police to a suspect who later confessed to beating and killing a man whose death was first reported as a possible bear attack.
Police on Thursday announced the arrest of Daren Christopher Abbey, of Basin, Montana, in connection with the death of 35-year-old Belgrade man Dustin Mitchell Kjersem . Investigators described the situation as a “chance encounter” and said Abbey returned to the scene the next day to remove evidence.
Abbey is charged with deliberate homicide and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence of a crime. The most serious offense — deliberate homicide — is punishable by a minimum of 10 years in prison or a maximum life sentence.
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He confessed to the act during police interviews Thursday, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said. Abbey remained in custody Friday at the Gallatin County Jail without bond, booking records show.
“This appears to be a heinous crime committed by an individual who had no regard for the life of Dustin Kjersem,” Springer said.