BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) A 35-year-old man camping in a remote Montana forest was found killed in his tent following a vicious attack initially suspected of being a bear mauling, authorities said.

Victim Dustin Kjersem went camping northeast of Big Sky, Montana, on Oct. 10 with plans to meet a friend the next day, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said.

The friend found Kjersems body Saturday morning and reported it as a possible bear mauling. But a state wildlife agent found no evidence of a bear.

An autopsy later determined the man, from the Montana community of Belgrade, died of multiple chop wounds from an unknown weapon, Springer said at a news conference Wednesday.

Kjersem suffered wounds to his skull and body. Kjersems campsite was not in an established campground, and it was not known exactly when he died.