A man that was released early from an Oregon state prison is a suspected serial killer in the greater Portland metro area, authorities say.
Jesse Lee Calhoun, 38, of Portland, Oregon has allegedly been linked by detectives to four of six women found dead earlier this year in the Portland metro area, according to Willamette Week.
Calhoun was released from prison in 2021, twelve months early, after being granted clemency at the direction of former Democrat Gov. Kate Brown. Brown began to issue mass commutations during the Covid-19 pandemic, which included early release to prisoners that were either considered to be well-behaved, were nearing the end of their sentences, and were vulnerable to the virus, the outlet reports.
Calhoun, who has been described by law enforcement as a “prolific thief and career criminal,” was one of the more than 1000 prisoners that had been granted early release under Brown’s criminal justice reform policies. Calhoun’s clemency has since been revoked and he has been placed back into custody.
On June 1, 2022, the Oregonian reported that the bodies of six young women had been found in the greater Portland area, prompting speculation of a potential serial killer. Those bodies included Kristin Smith, found in Southeast Portland on Feb. 19; Joanna Speaks, found in Ridgefield, Washington on April 11; Charity Perry, found at Ainsworth State Park on April 24; and an unidentified woman, also found on April 24, in Lents; Bridget Webster, found in Oregon’s Polk County on April 30; and Ashley Real, found in Clackamas County on May 7.
