Oregon Man Accused of Killing Six Women Now Faces Manslaughter Charge

An Oregon man already accused of killing five women has been indicted in the death of a sixth, potentially positioning him among the country's most prolific alleged serial killers.

Jesse Calhoun, 41, of Portland, was indicted Wednesday on a charge of first-degree manslaughter in the November 2022 death of 32-year-old Elizabeth 'Libby' Gibson. Prosecutors announced the indictment, which states Gibson was killed on or around November 18, 2022, making her Calhoun's earliest alleged victim. Her remains have not been found.

Calhoun had previously pleaded not guilty to five counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Ashley Real, Charity Lynn Perry, Bridget Webster, JoAnna Speaks, and Kristin Smith. Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez stated, "Behind every one of these counts is a young woman - someone’s daughter, someone’s sister, someone’s friend." He added, "The loss of life here is immense."

Investigators have not yet revealed how Gibson is believed to have died or what led them to connect Calhoun to her disappearance. A friend reported Gibson missing in March 2023. Lisa Shaw, who knew Gibson since childhood, described her as having a "childlike wonder" that faded around 2020 when "things had started getting hard" in her life.

Calhoun's indictment for manslaughter alleges he "unlawfully and recklessly" caused Gibson's death "under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life." Gibson's siblings released a statement expressing gratitude for the step towards justice for their sister, whom they remembered as "kind, creative and silly."

The investigation into Calhoun remains active, with Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero noting its "enormous" scope. She encouraged individuals who may have relevant information to come forward, stating that past information has been crucial to the investigation's progress.

The development follows a series of deaths that raised fears of an active serial killer in the Pacific Northwest. In May 2023, reports detailed the discovery of five women under 40 found dead within approximately 100 miles of each other across Oregon and Washington over three months, many in secluded areas.

Victims and Timeline

Kristin Smith, 22, was reported missing on December 22, 2022. Her remains were discovered three months later in a wooded area in Portland. Her cause of death has not been disclosed.

Charity Lynn Perry, 24, of Longview, Washington, was found dead on April 24, 2023, in a culvert near Ainsworth State Park. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office considered her death suspicious, though her cause of death remains undisclosed. Her mother stated that Perry, who struggled with homelessness and schizophrenia, could not have reached the remote location on her own.

JoAnna Speaks, 32, was found dead on April 8, 2023, inside an abandoned barn in Ridgefield, Washington. Authorities believe she died nearly three weeks prior. The medical examiner determined she died from blunt force head trauma and neck injuries. Her stepsister noted Speaks had no known contacts or reasons to be in Ridgefield.

Ashley Real, 22, was last seen leaving a fast-food restaurant in Portland. Her body was found on May 7, 2023, in a heavily wooded area near a pond. Investigators deemed the circumstances suspicious, though her cause of death was not revealed. Her father reported that Real had previously told police Calhoun had choked her, leaving marks on her throat.

Bridget Webster, 31, of Milwaukie, Oregon, had her remains discovered on April 30, 2023, along Harmony Road near Mill Creek in northwest Polk County. Her death was deemed suspicious, and it is believed she died four days prior. Authorities have not disclosed her manner of death.

Investigators have suggested that Speaks, Perry, and Webster may have frequented an area known for an open-air fentanyl market.

Calhoun was already incarcerated at Snake River Correctional Institution on unrelated charges when the women's bodies began to surface. He had been convicted of burglary, assaulting a public safety officer, and interfering with a law enforcement animal. His sentence was commuted in 2021 by then-Oregon Governor Kate Brown after he participated in a prison firefighting program. Governor Tina Kotek later revoked his commutation.

In May 2024, a Multnomah County grand jury indicted Calhoun in connection with the deaths of Perry, Webster, and Speaks, along with abuse of a corpse charges. He pleaded not guilty. In August 2025, a grand jury added charges related to Kristin Smith's death, to which he also pleaded not guilty. In May, prosecutors added a fifth murder charge for Ashley Real's death.

Calhoun's criminal history dates back to age 18 and includes allegations of assault, harassment, and kidnapping. The sheriff's office has described him as a "prolific thief and career criminal."

Calhoun is scheduled for arraignment on the manslaughter charge on Monday, September 21. The ongoing charges could affect his previously scheduled September 2027 jury trial. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Gibson's death or other potential cases linked to Calhoun to contact [email protected].