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PORTLAND, Ore. – Jesse Calhoun, accused of murdering multiple women and disposing of their bodies around the Portland area, was arraigned Wednesday on a fifth count of second-degree murder.
In a Portland courtroom filled with victims’ family members, Calhoun’s attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Calhoun himself remained silent during the proceeding, which followed his recent indictment in connection with the 2023 death of Ashley Real, 22.
Calhoun now faces five second-degree murder charges, along with four counts of abuse of a corpse. The discovery of the victims’ bodies over several months last year raised fears of a serial killer targeting young women in the region.
Previously, Calhoun was charged in the deaths of Kristin Smith, 22; Charity Perry, 24; Bridget Webster, 31; and Joanna Speaks, 32. The bodies were found within a roughly 100-mile radius, spanning northwestern Oregon and southwestern Washington, in locations including wooded areas, culverts, and near an abandoned barn.
Ashley Real’s father, Jose Real, spoke emotionally after the hearing, recalling cherished memories of his daughter. “I never thought or imagined that my family would experience something like this,” he said through a Spanish interpreter. “She had a heart of gold.”
Ashley’s sister, Masciell Real, also expressed mixed emotions: “Seeing him behind bars today takes some weight off my shoulders knowing he can’t harm anyone else. But it doesn’t take away the pain of losing my sister.”
Family members of other victims were present as well. Melissa Smith, mother of Kristin Smith, remarked, “We’ve all endured the worst imaginable, and it’s heartbreaking to see another family go through this.”
Jose Real had previously reported to police in November 2022 that his daughter came to his home distressed, claiming Calhoun had choked her. She bore visible marks on her throat and was taken to a hospital. Despite an initial police report, the case was transferred and became difficult to follow up on, according to Real.
Ashley’s body was found in May 2023 by a fisherman at a pond southeast of Portland. Calhoun was arrested the following month on unrelated parole warrants and subsequently indicted in connection with the other four victims’ deaths in 2024 and 2025.
Calhoun was serving a four-year prison sentence for assaulting a police officer, attempting to strangle a police dog, burglary, and other offenses before his recent indictments. He had been released early in 2021 after participating in a prison firefighting program but had his commutation revoked by Governor Tina Kotek in 2023 amid the investigation.
No trial date has been scheduled at this time. Calhoun remains held at the Multnomah County Detention Center. Defense attorneys declined to comment.