Jesse Lee Calhoun
Jesse Lee Calhoun (born March 19, 1985) is an American convicted felon and suspected serial killer in the Portland metropolitan area.
Criminal history
[edit]In 2019, Calhoun was convicted in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Oregon for felony burglary and car theft.[1] He was sentenced to 50 months in prison, but in 2021, his sentence was commuted by then-Gov. Kate Brown.[2] Brown issued commutations to Calhoun and 40 other inmates who helped fight Oregon's 2020 Labor Day wildfires.[3] Calhoun was released from custody on July 22, 2021, and was later arrested on June 6, 2023, for parole violations.[3] At the request of the Multnomah County District Attorney, Calhoun's commutation was subsequently revoked by Gov. Tina Kotek.[3]
Between February 2023 and May 2023, the bodies of six women were discovered in the greater Portland metropolitan area.[4] In June 2023, the Portland Police Bureau issued a statement that it "has no reason to believe [the] 6 cases are connected."[5] However, on May 16, 2024, a Multnomah County grand jury indicted Calhoun for the murders of three of the women: Charity Lynn Perry (age 24), Bridget Leanne Webster (age 31), and Joanna Speaks (age 32).[6] On August 5, 2025, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez announced at a news conference that Calhoun was indicted for the murder of a fourth woman: Kristin Smith (age 22).[7][8] He was indicted for the murder of Ashley Real in May 2026 (age 22).[9]
After Calhoun was named a person of interest in four murders, former Gov. Kate Brown was roundly criticized for commuting Calhoun's sentence for felony burglary and theft.[10] Public records indicate that Calhoun violated the terms of his release on numerous occasions, yet he remained released after several violations.[2] Then-Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt's office reportedly "abstained from vetting Calhoun's commutation," but was not provided a "meaningful opportunity" to consider the commutation.[2] Legal experts rejected any broad link between commutation and violent crime, and some argued that Calhoun may have been released early without then-Gov. Kate Brown's commutation.[10]
Calhoun's trial for the murders is expected to commence in 2027. He has pled not guilty to the murders for which he has been charged.
References
[edit]- ↑ Wilson, Conrad; Griffin, Anna (17 May 2024). "Jesse Lee Calhoun charged with murders of 3 women in Portland area in 2023". OPB. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- 1 2 3 Jaquiss, Nigel; Manfield, Lucas (25 July 2023). "Clues Emerge About How Poorly Jesse Lee Calhoun Was Monitored". Willamette Week. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- 1 2 3 Jaquiss, Nigel; Manfield, Lucas (18 July 2023). "A Timeline for the Man Suspected in Four Deaths of Young Women Around Portland". Willamette Week. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ Hampton, Deon (5 June 2023). "6 women found dead within 3 months in Portland, Oregon, metro area". NBC News. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ Portland Police Bureau (4 June 2023). "Addressing Online Rumors Surrounding Regional Death Investigations of 6 Women". City of Portland, Oregon. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ Jaquiss, Nigel (17 May 2024). "Grand Jury Indicts Jesse Lee Calhoun on Charges of Murdering Three Women". Willamette Week. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ Hassan, Adeel (6 August 2025). "Oregon Man Accused of Killing 3 Women Is Now Charged With Murdering a Fourth". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ Multnomah County District Attorney (5 August 2025). "MCDA News Conference Aug 5 Jessie Calhoun indictment #4". Retrieved 13 August 2025 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Crombie, Noelle (May 26, 2026). "Fifth murder charge filed in Portland serial killing case". The Oregonian/OregonLive. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- 1 2 Wilson, Conrad; Levinson, Jonathan (4 August 2023). "Experts question link between early prison release and deaths of 4 Oregon women". OPB. Retrieved 18 September 2025.