According to Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer, the suspect arrived at the campsite northeast of Big Sky, Montana, on October 10 with intentions to stay overnight. Unbeknownst to him, the site was already occupied by Kearseman, who welcomed the stranger and offered him a beer.
However, the atmosphere quickly turned deadly when, for reasons still under investigation, the suspect attacked Kearseman with a wooden log, followed by a screwdriver to the neck and ultimately an axe. This unprovoked assault left Kearseman fatally wounded.
On October 12, Kearseman’s girlfriend and a friend discovered his body and initially reported it as a potential bear attack. Their assessment was prompted by the gruesome scene; however, wildlife agents who responded to the report found no signs of a bear in the area. The investigation soon pivoted toward the possibility of homicide.
Springer stated that investigators were able to link the suspect to the crime scene through DNA evidence found on a beer can at the campsite. This evidence led authorities to track down the suspect, who was arrested in Butte, Montana.
As of now, the suspect is being held on a $1.5 million bond. This case serves as a grim reminder of the unexpected dangers that can lurk in remote areas, turning a simple camping trip into a scene of tragedy. The community now awaits further developments as the investigation continues and the legal proceedings unfold.
