BIG SKY — A homicide investigation has been launched after a man was found dead in a tent while camping near Big Sky on Saturday.
First responders initially thought an animal was responsible for killing the man, but Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer says the death is now being investigated as a homicide.
"We received a call of people that had gone to a campsite looking for a friend, and they located him inside the tent and he was deceased," Springer said.
Various "Beware of Bear" signs are hung around the parking lot on Moose Creek Road near the campsite, but Springer said an animal didn't cause this death.
"So we had Fish, Wildlife and Parks come in, and their bear expert came down. He did an investigation of the area and did not believe it was a bear attack," Springer said.
Authorities are waiting for an autopsy report. The man's name has not been released.
"The scene itself is what is leaning towards a homicide. It doesn't make sense some of the items that were at the scene and items that may not be at the scene anymore," the sheriff said.
But information is scarce.
"This will be one of those difficult investigations because our leads are limited, but we are making some strides. Hopefully, the autopsy will tell us more tomorrow," Springer said.
If anyone was in the Moose Creek area east of Highway 191, around 30 miles from Four Corners, or if anybody has game cameras in the area, the sheriff's office encourages them to come forward with information.
"We are going to need the public's help on this one. It's likely going to take someone who saw someone, heard something, or saw two individuals up at this campsite," Springer said.
