39-Year-Old Man Indicted for Murder Charges in Connection with the Deaths of Three Women in Oregon
Man Charged with Second-Degree Murder and Abuse of Corpse in the Tragic Deaths of Charity Lynn Perry, Bridget Leanne Webster, and Joanna Speaks
A grand jury indicted a 39-year-old man named Jesse Lee Calhoun on Thursday, February 16, 2023, for the murders of Charity Lynn Perry, Bridget Leanne Webster, and Joanna Speaks. According to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office, Calhoun was charged with three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of abuse of a corpse in the second degree.
The heartbreaking news came after the bodies of these young women, aged 24 to 32, were discovered under suspicious circumstances in Oregon and Washington during April 2023. Perry’s body was found on April 24 near a highway just northeast of Portland, while Webster’s body was discovered on April 30 near Mill Creek, approximately 50 miles southwest of Portland. Speaks was found earlier that month in Ridgefield, Washington, and the Portland Police Bureau later confirmed that they believed her homicide had occurred in Portland.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s office shared the grim details of their findings, stating that the women were discovered on different days throughout April 2023. Although authorities have not released information regarding the cause of death for any of these women, it is known that Perry’s body was found three days prior to its discovery. The last known areas that Perry and Webster were known to frequent were downtown Portland and the Portland metro area, respectively. Speaks’ last known location was in Ridgefield, Washington.
The Painful Wait for Justice and Closure
As families and friends of Perry, Webster, and Speaks grieve their losses, they remain hopeful for answers and justice. During a news conference on February 17, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt expressed his deepest sympathies for the families and acknowledged their ongoing support from the community. Calhoun is expected to be transferred into Multnomah County custody for arraignment, with an arraignment date still to be determined.
Last year, Oregon authorities connected the suspicious deaths of Perry and Webster to those of Kristin Smith and Ashley Real. The investigations into their tragic deaths are ongoing, and Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero emphasized the importance of continued support for all families affected by these losses.
During the news conference, a family member of Perry shared heartfelt words of solidarity for all those impacted: “We’re still together, the whole way, all the way.” Smith’s mother also expressed her unwavering hope for justice, stating that they will “keep waiting, we keep praying and stay hopeful… that we soon can get justice for them as well.”
Remembering Charity Lynn Perry, Bridget Leanne Webster, and Joanna Speaks
As the investigations continue to unravel the mysteries surrounding the tragic deaths of these three young women, their loved ones remain steadfast in their search for answers and justice. The hearts of the community are with them as they navigate through this painful time, seeking closure and peace.
