Portland Murder Suspect Faces Fourth Homicide Charge as Families Seek Justice
A grand jury has indicted Jesse Lee Calhoun for the murder of Kristin Smith, adding to three previous homicide charges against him. The trial is scheduled to begin in 2027. The victims’ families have demanded justice, with Kristin Smith’s mother expressing hope and determination.
Calhoun, who was previously charged with the murders of Charity Perry, Bridget Webster, and Joanna Speaks, is currently in custody and faces trial in 2027. His legal team has not commented publicly, and law enforcement has not disclosed many details about the investigation. The victims’ families have emphasized the importance of seeking justice for the women, with Kristin Smith’s mother vowing never to give up hope.
The case has raised concerns about potential serial killings targeting young women in the region. The bodies of Perry, Webster, and Smith were discovered in various remote locations within a 100-mile radius, prompting fears of a serial killer. The death of Speaks, found in an abandoned barn in southwestern Washington, further fueled these concerns.
Diana Allen, the mother of victim Charity Perry, delivered a stern message aimed at Calhoun and others like him. She emphasized that Calhoun was not the smartest person in the room and that the consequences of his actions would eventually catch up to him.
Law enforcement officials have released few details about the ongoing investigation. DA Vasquez noted that another woman’s death in the same timeframe remains under review. The case of Ashley Rial, another woman allegedly linked to Calhoun, remains under investigation, according to officials. No charges have been filed yet in connection to her death.
When asked whether Calhoun’s case qualifies as serial killing, Vasquez stopped short of applying the label, instead focusing on the victims and the impact of their deaths. The case has drawn significant attention and has become a focal point for the families of the victims, who continue to demand justice.
Calhoun was taken into custody in June 2023 due to unrelated parole violations. He was indicted in May 2024, just before he was scheduled to be released from state prison. He had been reincarcerated in 2023 to complete a four-year sentence for offenses including assaulting a police officer, attempting to strangle a police dog, burglary, and more.
He had previously been released in 2021, a year ahead of schedule, due to his participation in a wildfire firefighting program in 2020. That early release was later rescinded by Governor Tina Kotek in 2023 after Calhoun became a suspect in the homicide investigations.
The case highlights the complexities of criminal investigations and the impact of violent crimes on communities. The victims’ families have been a central part of the narrative, advocating for accountability and justice for the women whose lives were tragically cut short.