Oregon Man Accused of Serial Killings Indicted in Fourth Murder
A Portland-area man already facing charges in the deaths of three women has now been indicted for a fourth murder, prosecutors announced Tuesday.
A Multnomah County grand jury has charged 39-year-old Jesse Lee Calhoun in connection with the November 2022 killing of 22‑year‑old Kristin Smith. District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said the new indictment adds one count of second‑degree murder and one count of abuse of a corpse to Calhoun’s case.
Smith’s remains were discovered in late 2022, but it took more than two and a half years for the case to reach this stage. At a news conference, Smith’s mother, Melissa Smith, expressed both relief and sorrow.
“I’ve always stayed hopeful that I would get justice for Kristin,” she said. “I thank every single person who didn’t give up on this case.”
Previous Indictments and Allegations
Calhoun was already facing three counts each of second‑degree murder and abuse of a corpse in the deaths of Charity Perry, 24; Bridget Webster, 31; and Joanna Speaks, 32. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Perry, Webster, and Smith were found in Oregon, while Speaks’ body was discovered in an abandoned barn in southwestern Washington. The victims were found over several months in 2023 in varied locations — including wooded areas, a culvert, and under a bridge — within a 100‑mile radius. The pattern fueled public fears that a serial killer might be targeting young women in the Pacific Northwest.
Authorities have released few details about the evidence linking Calhoun to the deaths. Another woman’s death from the same period remains under investigation, District Attorney Vasquez confirmed.
Arrest and Criminal History
Calhoun was arrested in June 2023 on unrelated parole warrants. By May 2024, prosecutors had indicted him for the three initial murders.
At the time of his arrest, he was nearing release from a state prison sentence for unrelated crimes, including assaulting a police officer, attempting to strangle a police dog, burglary, and other offenses. He had been released a year early in 2021 for participating in a prison wildfire‑fighting program.
However, when police began investigating him for the women’s deaths, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek revoked his commutation in 2023, sending him back to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
Timeline of Discoveries
- November 2022: Kristin Smith is last seen; her remains are later recovered.
- Early 2023: Bodies of Perry, Webster, and Speaks are discovered over several months in remote and abandoned locations.
- June 2023: Calhoun is arrested on parole warrants.
- May 2024: Indictment in the three murders is announced.
- August 2025: Fourth indictment for Smith’s murder is revealed.
Next Steps in the Case
Calhoun remains in custody at Multnomah County’s Inverness Jail. His trial is scheduled for 2027, reflecting the complexity of the investigation and the volume of evidence prosecutors expect to present. His defense attorney, Cameron Taylor, has declined to comment.
Authorities have not disclosed whether the four murders share a common method, nor have they publicly identified any possible motive. Prosecutors emphasized their ongoing commitment to seeking justice for all victims.
“This indictment represents another step forward,” Vasquez said. “Our goal remains the same: to hold the person responsible fully accountable under the law.”
The case has drawn significant attention due to its scope, the disturbing circumstances surrounding the victims’ deaths, and the potential that more victims may yet be identified. Investigators continue to urge anyone with information to come forward.
