Oregon serial-killing case: Jesse Calhoun was released from prison early after fighting wildfires in 2020. He is now accused of killing 6 women

In 2020, Jesse Calhoun was released from prison early after helping fight wildfires through an Oregon prison firefighting program. Now, five years later, he has been indicted in connection with the death of a sixth woman in a case that has drawn widespread attention in Oregon.

Calhoun, 41, is already facing second-degree murder charges in the deaths of five women: Ashley Real, 22; Kristin Smith, 22; Charity Lynn Perry, 24; Bridget Leann Webster, 31; and Joanna Speaks, 32.

On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted him on a first-degree manslaughter charge in the death of Elizabeth “Libby” Gibson, 32, who disappeared in late November 2022 and whose remains have not been found, according to the Multnomah County District Attorney.


Unlike the five other women, for whose deaths Calhoun is charged with murder, prosecutors allege that Gibson died under circumstances constituting first-degree manslaughter. The indictment alleges that he “unlawfully and recklessly” caused her death under circumstances showing “extreme indifference to the value of human life.”

Calhoun is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

How Jesse Calhoun became connected to the case

Calhoun was arrested in June 2023 on unrelated parole warrants. Investigators had begun examining possible links between the deaths of several women in northwestern Oregon.

His criminal history dates to 2003. At the time of his 2023 arrest, he had been serving a four-year prison sentence for charges that included assaulting a police officer, attempting to strangle a police dog and burglary.

Calhoun had originally been released early in 2021 after participating in a prison firefighting program during the 2020 wildfire season.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek later revoked that commutation in 2023 after investigators began examining Calhoun's possible connection to the women's deaths.

He was subsequently indicted in the deaths of Perry, Speaks and Webster in 2024. Prosecutors added Smith's case in 2025 and Real's case in 2026.

The women Calhoun is accused of killing

The investigation involves five women whose remains were discovered in outdoor locations across northwestern Oregon. Authorities have said some of the locations were nearly 100 miles apart.

Kristin Smith, 22, was reported missing in December 2022. Her body was found in woodland in southeast Portland on Feb. 19, 2023.

Charity Lynn Perry, 24, is alleged to have died on March 8, 2023.

Joanna Speaks, 32, is alleged to have died about 10 days later, on March 18.

Bridget Leann Webster, 31, is alleged to have died on April 26.

Ashley Real, 22, was found dead on May 7, 2023. Prosecutors later charged Calhoun with her murder.

Elizabeth “Libby” Gibson, 32, disappeared in November 2022. Unlike the other five women, her remains have not been found.

Authorities identified Calhoun as a person of interest in July 2023 after investigators said they had found links between four of the cases. The investigation later resulted in murder indictments.

Could there be more victims?

The investigation remains open.

At a Sept. 16 news conference, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said authorities did not currently have information indicating that there were additional victims.

However, he said investigators would continue to follow leads throughout the case.

The charges against Calhoun are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.