Police in Portland, Oregon, have identified a person of interest in connection to the deaths of four women found near or on the sides of roads between February and May of this year. The women were identified as Kristin Smith, 22, Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Leann (Ramsay) Webster, 31, and Ashely Real, 22, all of whom had ties to Portland. After months of investigating, authorities believe the deaths of the four young women are connected.
Deputies in nine different police departments released a joint statement on Monday, confirming that the deaths of the women are somehow connected and that they have identified at least one person of interest linked to all four deaths. No charges have been filed in any of the cases yet, and police have not officially identified the person of interest.
The announcement comes roughly a month and a half after police in Portland had said they had no reason to believe the deaths of six women in the region were connected, saying online speculation about a link was “not supported by the facts available at this point.” However, several people familiar with ongoing investigations in multiple jurisdictions have reportedly linked four of the deaths to Jesse Lee Calhoun, a Multnomah County man whose most recent address is in Portland.
Calhoun was granted clemency by former Governor Kate Brown, which allowed him to leave prison early. Records show that Calhoun is currently in custody at Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario, where he was lodged on charges apparently unrelated to the murders.
Authorities have interviewed multiple people in connection with the cases and have identified “at least one person of interest” who is linked to all four women, but the investigation remains ongoing. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has assured the public that there is not believed to be any active danger to the community at this time. The families of the victims are still searching for answers and justice for their lost loved ones.