Suspected Serial Killer Hunted Women in the Northwest: DA
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Six women's bodies were found in the Portland area between February and June 2023, with five named as Kristen Smith, Joanna Speaks, Bridget Webster, Charity Perry, and Ashley Rial.
- ❖Jesse Lee Calhoun, a man previously granted clemency, is charged with the murders of Kristen Smith, Charity Perry, Joanna Speaks, and Bridget Webster.
- ❖The victims' families initiated an independent investigation, sharing information, creating tip lines, and mapping connections between the women.
- ❖The trial for Jesse Lee Calhoun is not expected until 2027, causing prolonged anguish for the families.
- ❖Charity Perry's mother, Diana Allen, expressed frustration over not knowing the exact date or circumstances of her daughter's death, and the lack of clarity on Calhoun's connection to Charity.
Insights
1Jesse Lee Calhoun's Clemency and Re-Indictment
Jesse Lee Calhoun, the suspected serial killer, was serving a four-year sentence for burglary and theft but was granted clemency in 2021 for good behavior and work as a prison firefighter. This clemency was revoked in 2023 when he became a person of interest in the homicides. He is now charged with four murders, including Kristen Smith, Charity Perry, Joanna Speaks, and Bridget Webster.
Calhoun had a criminal history, including convictions for burglary and theft. He started serving a 4-year sentence in 2019 but was granted clemency in 2021. That clemency was revoked in 2023. Calhoun is charged with murdering four of the 'Portland 5' (, ). The DA announced his indictment for Kristen Smith's murder (Nov 20, 2022) in addition to Charity Perry, Joanna Speaks, and Bridget Webster (March-April 2023) (-).
2Families' Independent Investigation
Driven by a gut feeling that the deaths were connected and a desire for answers, the victims' families launched their own investigation. They compared notes, distributed flyers, established a Google Voice tip line, created an email for tips, and developed a 'spaghetti map' to visualize connections between the victims and common associates.
Diana Allen, Charity Perry's mother, detailed how families got together to compare notes, made flyers, set up a Google Voice tip line and email, and worked with YouTubers. A community member created a 'spaghetti map' showing connections between the girls and people close to Calhoun (, , ).
3Emotional Toll and Prolonged Justice Timeline
The families endure immense emotional pain, compounded by the lengthy legal process. The trial for Jesse Lee Calhoun is not anticipated until 2027, and further indictments could push this date back even further. This extended wait prevents families from fully grieving and obtaining closure.
Melissa Smith, Kristen Smith's mother, described 898 agonizing days since her daughter's death and 445 days since the initial indictments without Kristen's case included (). Diana Allen stated she may not know the exact details of her daughter's death until 2027 or 2028 if more cases are added, preventing her from grieving (, ). The prosecutor confirmed the trial is currently expected in 2027 ().
4Vulnerability of Victims and Unclear Connections
The victims were all in vulnerable positions, struggling with mental health issues or addiction. While connections between some victims and Calhoun have been established through shared locations or acquaintances, the specific link between Calhoun and Charity Perry remains unclear to her mother, despite police certainty.
The five women were described as being in vulnerable positions, suffering from mental health issues or addiction (). Diana Allen stated she is 'still missing how he was connected to her' (Charity Perry) (). She speculated connections through 'Father's Heart' (a location), shared apartment complexes, or mutual acquaintances ().
Lessons
- Families of victims can proactively organize and investigate, sharing information and creating public awareness to aid law enforcement investigations.
- Utilize digital tools like Google Voice numbers and dedicated email addresses to establish anonymous tip lines for community input.
- Collaborate with other affected families to pool resources, compare notes, and collectively advocate for justice and answers.
Notable Moments
Melissa Smith, Kristen Smith's mother, delivers an emotional statement at a press conference, expressing her relief and gratitude for the indictment in her daughter's case after a long wait, while acknowledging the ongoing pain.
This moment highlights the profound emotional toll on victims' families and their relentless fight for justice, even when initial charges don't include their loved ones.
Diana Allen, Charity Perry's mother, recounts her daughter's struggles with mental health and addiction, and her own guilt over not being able to prevent her death, emphasizing the 'what ifs' and the systemic failures.
This provides a deeply personal perspective on the challenges faced by families of vulnerable individuals and the agonizing questions that linger when loved ones are murdered.
Diana Allen describes the families' collective efforts to investigate, including creating 'spaghetti maps' to connect victims, demonstrating a powerful example of community-led investigation.
This illustrates how families, when feeling unheard or unsupported, can organize and leverage their unique insights and networks to significantly contribute to complex criminal cases.
Quotes
"I stayed strong doing all I could trying to save my daughter and it was just unbearable to find out I was too late."
"I can't explain the agonizing pain I felt that day, that Kristen was not one of those girls. I stood strong with the other families and was happy they got their answers and prayed every day this day would come for me for us."
"The things that we have learned while out on the street, like they're very dark. I talk with Diana Allen about her daughter Charity Perry, how Jesse Lee Calhoun was caught, and the questions that linger."
"I still don't know why they're so sure about that day. And I'm not going to know until 2027 or if they add more girls, that timeline can continue to be pushed back."
"My favorite thing in life, my biggest accomplishment that I ever had in my whole life, my first moment that I knew that this is where I belong was being a mom. And she she gave that to me."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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