campsite

A camper in Montana who was initially reported to have died in a bear attack was murdered by a stranger he welcomed to share his campsite and offered a beer, officials said.

Police say Daren Christopher Abbey, 41, was arrested and charged with murder after his DNA was discovered on a beer can at the campsite where the victim's body was found.

Police say Mr Abbey led them to several items he had stolen from the campsite, including an axe, guns and a cooler.

“There was this chance encounter with some of the firemen out there when we were coming off trail to find a campsite. They checked my vitals and told us about heatstroke, heat exhaustion and how dangerous it was.”

“And you get to the campsite and put your feet up and it’s just magnificent. As long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you’ll get there in the end.”