Jesse Calhoun, a man accused of multiple murders in the Portland area, faced a fifth murder charge in court on Wednesday. Calhoun’s defense attorney entered a not-guilty plea during the hearing, attended by family members of the victims. Calhoun remained silent during the proceedings.
Calhoun faces five second-degree murder charges linked to the deaths of five women. He also faces four charges related to abuse of a corpse. The victims were discovered over several months in 2023, raising fears of a serial killer in the area targeting young women.
Previously, Calhoun was indicted in connection with the deaths of Kristin Smith, 22; Charity Perry, 24; Bridget Webster, 31; and Joanna Speaks, 32. The most recent charge involves the murder of Ashley Real, 22, in 2023. Real and the other women were found in northwestern Oregon, with one victim, Speaks, discovered near an abandoned barn in southwestern Washington. Their bodies were located within a 100-mile radius, including wooded areas and a culvert.
Real’s father, Jose Real, reported to the Associated Press that his daughter had come to his Portland home crying in November 2022, showing marks on her throat and claiming Calhoun had choked her. Despite an initial police report, the case became complicated once transferred to another jurisdiction.
Real’s body was found in May 2023 by a man fishing near Portland. Calhoun had been arrested in June 2023 on unrelated charges before receiving indictments related to the women’s deaths in 2024 and 2025.
Before these events, Calhoun had been serving a four-year sentence for assaulting a police officer, attempted strangulation of a police dog, burglary, and other charges. He was initially released early for helping fight wildfires but returned to prison in 2023. Governor Tina Kotek revoked his commutation that year amidst new investigations.
A trial date has not yet been set. Calhoun remains held in the Multnomah County Detention Center. His defense team has not commented.
After the hearing, Jose Real expressed his gratitude that someone is now held accountable, speaking through tears with a Spanish interpreter. Ashley’s sister, Masciell Real, echoed his sentiments, emphasizing the loss of her sister’s life and dignity.
Other victims’ families also attended the arraignment. Diana Allen, Charity Perry’s mother, stated it was her first encounter with Calhoun. She expressed solidarity with the other families while feeling the emotional challenge of the situation.