Kristin Smith : “Oregon Serial Killer Fears: Murders of 5 Women”

Concerns of a serial killer on the loose in Oregon have been raised following the tragic deaths of five women in and around Portland between February and May 2023. The victims have been identified as Kristin Smith, Charity Lynn Perry, Bridget Leann Webster, Ashley Real, and Joanna Speaks.

Last year, Newsweek reported that Jesse Lee Calhoun, a 38-year-old man with a history of criminal activity, was named as a person of interest in the deaths of four of the women. Subsequently, Speaks was also linked to the case.

Initially, Portland police did not believe the deaths were linked, but a change in perspective has led to renewed efforts in the investigation. Families of the victims have expressed their concerns, with one family member noting a possible connection between the cases.

One family member said, “Putting their faces together… Either we have a serial killer or five homicidal maniacs. I don’t know which one would be worse.”

Last year, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office and other law enforcement agencies involved in the case stated that a person of interest had been identified and multiple individuals had been interviewed. However, the specific reasons for Calhoun’s status as a person of interest were not disclosed.

Calhoun’s criminal history includes convictions for burglary and vehicle theft. His prison sentence was commuted by former Oregon Governor Kate Brown in 2021 for his participation in a prison firefighting program. Following his release, the murders occurred, leading to the revocation of his commutation and his return to prison to serve the remainder of his original sentence.

Newsweek previously reported that Jose Real, Ashley Real’s father, alleged that Calhoun had attacked and choked his daughter in late 2022. Despite this incident, Calhoun was not arrested. Real expressed frustration, stating, “The police didn’t do their work. And now my daughter is dead.”

The investigations into the deaths of the five women have yet to determine the cause or manner of death for any of the victims, leaving the cases unresolved.

According to online records reviewed by Newsweek, Calhoun has been incarcerated at the Snake River Correctional Institution since July 6, 2023, with a scheduled release date of June 9.