Seattle-area Jesse Calhoun, 45, has been indicted for the murders of three Oregon women. Thanks to a lengthy local, state, and federal investigation, he was recently charged with a fourth murder. The updated indictment adds one additional count each of second-degree murder and abuse of a corpse. This move comes on the heels of the unfortunate murders of Kristin Smith, 22, Charity Perry, 24, Bridget Webster, 31, and Joanna Speaks, 32. Their remains were found within a similar 100-mile circle within the Portland region, spaced out over a period of months beginning in early 2023.
Investigators discovered the victims’ decomposing bodies in a remote area of woods, a ditch in culvert, and under a bridge. The probe initially began after law enforcement connected Calhoun to the murders. This resulted in his arrest in June 2023 on unrelated parole warrants. Calhoun first stepped out of prison in 2021 after enrolling in an inmate firefighter program. Yet he found himself returning to state prison in 2023 to serve a sentence of four years for felony assault on a police officer and burglary in the first degree.
As investigations into the murders continued to grow, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek formally revoked Calhoun’s commutation in 2023.
Calhoun pleaded not guilty to three counts of second-degree murder. He was charged with three other counts of abusing a corpse during his first grand jury indictment. With the latest indictment, he now faces a second-degree murder charge in connection to Smith’s death. His trial is scheduled for 2027.
Melissa Smith, Kristin Smith’s mother, said she was relieved by Friday’s developments in the case.
“I’ve always stayed hopeful that I would get justice for Kristin,” – Melissa Smith.
She further expressed appreciation to the community for support given during the course of the investigation.
“I thank every single person who didn’t give up on this case,” – Melissa Smith.
At the time of this writing, Jesse Calhoun is still being held at Multnomah County’s Inverness Jail while he prepares for trial. The series of murders has raised intense fear in the mostly Black community. Law enforcement and victims advocacy groups alike are making strides to better support victims’ families and deliver justice.