Sheriff Dan Springer said Mr. Kjersem hosted his killer at his campsite, about 35 miles south of the city of Bozeman.

Prosecutors say that at one point, Mr. Abbey hit Mr. Kjersem with a piece of wood, then stabbed him with a screwdriver and attacked him with an axe.

The suspect reportedly returned to the crime scene later to remove items from the camp that he believed could link him to the murder, but neglected the beer can.

He confessed to the killing, telling police he attacked his victim after discovering her at the site where he had planned to camp, authorities said.

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

“This appears to be a heinous crime committed by an individual who had no respect for the life of Dustin Kjersem,” Sheriff Springer said.

“We have a little bit of his history, but … we don’t really know what the real story is,” Springer said.

Mr Abbey was ordered held on $1.5 million (£1.2 million) bail when he appeared in court on Friday.