PORTLAND, OR – A man accused of killing multiple women and dumping their bodies across the Portland metro area was arraigned Wednesday on a fifth second-degree murder charge.
Not-Guilty Plea Entered
Jesse Calhoun, currently held at the Multnomah County Detention Center, remained silent as his defense attorney entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
The latest charge stems from an indictment returned last week regarding the 2023 death of 22-year-old Ashley Real. In addition to five counts of second-degree murder, Calhoun faces four counts of abuse of a corpse.
Grieving Families Confront Suspect
The courtroom was filled with emotional family members of the victims. Jose Real, Ashley’s father, spoke through an interpreter about the devastating loss, recalling his daughter’s “heart of gold.”
Ashley’s sister, Masciell Real, expressed relief that the suspect is behind bars but noted that the pain of her sister’s absence remains. Melissa Smith, the mother of 22-year-old victim Kristin Smith, was also present to support the Real family, highlighting the shared grief among the victims’ relatives.
Background on the Victims
The discovery of five women’s bodies in early 2023 within a 100-mile radius sparked widespread fear of a serial killer across Oregon and Washington. Calhoun has now been indicted in the deaths of:
- Ashley Real, 22
- Kristin Smith, 22
- Charity Perry, 24
- Bridget Webster, 31
- Joanna Speaks, 32
Four of the victims were found in northwestern Oregon, while Speaks’ body was discovered near an abandoned barn in southwestern Washington.
Prior Warning Signs
Jose Real revealed that he had contacted law enforcement in November 2022 after Ashley arrived at his home crying, with visible choke marks on her neck, alleging that Calhoun had attacked her. A report was taken, but the case faced jurisdictional delays. Ashley’s body was later found in May 2023 by a fisherman southeast of Portland.
Calhoun, whose prior early release from state prison for firefighting service was revoked by Gov. Tina Kotek in 2023, remains in custody. A formal trial date has not yet been set.
