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A man facing accusations of murdering three women in the Portland area has been formally charged with a fourth homicide, authorities announced on Tuesday.
During a press conference, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez revealed that a grand jury has indicted Jesse Lee Calhoun for the murder of 22-year-old Kristin Smith, whose remains were discovered in November 2022. This latest set of charges includes second-degree murder and abuse of a corpse, occurring approximately two and a half years after Smith’s body was found.
Prior to these new charges, Calhoun had already been implicated in the deaths of Charity Perry, 24, Bridget Webster, 31, and Joanna Speaks, 32. He has pleaded not guilty to all previous counts associated with second-degree murder and abuse of a corpse.
Vasquez emphasized the importance of this indictment during the emotionally charged press conference, stating, “The indictment is a very important and visible step as we seek justice for these victims.”
Currently, Calhoun is being held at the Inverness Jail in Multnomah County while awaiting trial, which is projected to begin in 2027.
Fox News Digital made attempts to reach out to Calhoun’s attorney, Cameron Taylor, for a statement, but his office declined to comment.
Melissa Smith, the mother of victim Kristin Smith, spoke tearfully at the press conference surrounded by relatives of other victims. She asserted, “It’s been 898 days since I found out Kristen was deceased… I never lost hope. I never gave up. And I never will. The Portland Five will never be forgotten.”
The remains of Perry, Webster, and Kristin Smith were discovered in various locations throughout Oregon, while Speaks’ body was found in an abandoned barn in southwestern Washington. Beginning in early 2023 and continuing in subsequent months, their bodies were located in remote areas, including wooded locations, culverts, and beneath a bridge, all within a 100-mile radius. This alarming pattern prompted fears that a serial killer could be preying on young women in the region.
Diana Allen, mother of victim Charity Perry, directed a pointed message to Calhoun and similar offenders. She stated, “You are not the smartest person in the room. Maybe the day of your crime you were… but you’re no longer in your room. You’re in mine.”
Law enforcement has circulated few details regarding the ongoing investigation into these cases. DA Vasquez mentioned that another woman’s death during this period is currently under review.
The case of Ashley Rial, another woman allegedly linked to Calhoun, is still under investigation according to officials. However, no formal charges have been placed in connection to her death.
When asked if Calhoun’s actions might classify as serial killing, Vasquez refrained from using that label. He reiterated, “We focus on the victims. These were murders of young women with massive impact.”
Calhoun was arrested in June 2023 for unrelated parole violations. His indictment occurred in May 2024, just prior to his projected release from state prison. He was reincarcerated in 2023 to serve a four-year sentence for offenses that included assaulting a police officer and attempting to strangle a dog used in police work.
Prior to this, he was released early in 2021 following his participation in a wildfire firefighting program in 2020. However, that early release was rescinded by Governor Tina Kotek in 2023 after Calhoun emerged as a suspect in the ongoing homicide investigations.
This ongoing case underscores the community’s demand for justice for the victims, as their families continue to seek answers amid the tragedy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
