Recent development that has gripped the Portland community, Jesse Calhoun, a 39-year-old Oregon man currently incarcerated, has been indicted for his alleged involvement in the deaths of three women. The victims, Charity Lynn Perry, Bridget Leanne Webster, and Joanna Speaks, were discovered under “suspicious circumstances” in the Portland area last year.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday that Calhoun faces three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of second-degree abuse of a corpse. This significant step in the case comes after extensive investigations into the deaths of the three women.
Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Leanne Webster, 31, and Joanna Speaks, 32, were found deceased in and around Portland early last year. Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt emphasized during a news conference that while progress has been made with Calhoun’s indictment, investigations into these cases are ongoing.
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Authorities also revealed that two other women were found dead under suspicious circumstances in the Portland area within three months of these incidents, with those cases still under investigation. Furthermore, the body of a sixth woman was discovered during the same timeframe, but her death was not deemed a homicide.
The connection between four of these deaths, including those of Perry and Webster, was previously suggested by the district attorney’s office in July 2023. Calhoun, who has been in custody since July 2023 on unrelated charges, was nearing his release date from the Oregon Department of Corrections.
Records indicate that Calhoun’s earliest release date was June 7. However, the grand jury’s decision to indict him on murder charges for the deaths of the three women was made on Thursday, indicating a significant turn in the legal proceedings.
During the news conference, officials refrained from disclosing Calhoun’s relationship with the victims. Additionally, an arraignment date for him has not yet been set, and it remains unclear whether he has legal representation for these murder cases.
Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell acknowledged the fear instilled in the community by these tragic events. She emphasized that the indictment represents progress towards justice for the victims, offering some solace to the affected families.
Diana Allen, the mother of victim Charity Lynn Perry, expressed the family’s mixed emotions, noting their frustration but also acknowledging the dedication of investigators in pursuing justice. She reassured other affected families that they are not alone in their pursuit of justice and closure.
While the indictment of Jesse Calhoun marks a significant milestone in this case, the community and the families affected continue to seek answers and justice as investigations into these tragic deaths continue.
