The individual suspected of murdering three women in the Portland region has now been formally charged with a fourth killing, authorities announced on Tuesday.
During a press briefing, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez stated that Jesse Lee Calhoun has been indicted for the murder of 22-year-old Christine Smith, whose remains were discovered in November 2022.
Calhoun was already facing charges related to the deaths of three other women: Charity Perry, aged 24, Bridget Webster, aged 31, and Joanna Speak.
“These victims deserve justice, and prosecution is a crucial and visible step towards that,” Vasquez expressed during a poignant press conference.
Calhoun is currently incarcerated at Inverness Jail in Multnomah County, with his trial slated to start in 2027.
Fox News Digital reached out to Calhoun’s lawyer, Cameron Taylor, but did not receive any public comment.
Melissa Smith, Christine’s mother, shared an emotional statement alongside friends and family members of other victims. “It’s been 898 days since we learned that Christine had passed away. Yet, I never lost hope. I never gave up. I will always remember Portland 5,” she said.
Diana Allen, the mother of Charity Perry, directed a stern message towards Calhoun, proclaiming he was “not the smartest person in the room anymore.” Her words emphasized her anger and heartache over the situation.
The bodies of Perry, Webster, and Smith were discovered in different locations throughout Oregon, while Speak was found in an abandoned house in southwestern Washington. Over several months in 2023, these remains were located in various hidden spots, leading to concerns that someone could be preying on young women in the area.
Authorities have not released much information regarding the ongoing investigation. However, Vasquez noted that the case of another woman who died during the same timeframe is still under consideration.
Calhoun’s case initially began in June 2023 when he was arrested for a separate parole violation. He was charged with murder in May 2024, just before he was set to be released from state prison, where he was serving a four-year sentence for multiple offenses, including attempting to strangle police officers.
Interestingly, Calhoun had been released in 2021 due to participation in a wildfire program, although that release was later revoked when he became a suspect in ongoing murder investigations.
