A Multnomah County grand jury indicted Jesse Lee Calhoun, 41, on Wednesday on one count of first-degree manslaughter in the death of Elizabeth "Libby" Gibson, 32 — the sixth homicide case brought against him in connection with a string of killings that gripped the Portland metro area beginning in 2023.
The Sixth Case
Prosecutors say Calhoun killed Gibson on or about November 18, 2022. Her remains have never been recovered. She was last seen in 2022 but wasn't reported missing until March 2023.
Prior Charges
Calhoun has already pleaded not guilty to five counts of second-degree murder and four counts of second-degree abuse of a corpse in the deaths of Charity Lynn Perry, 24; Bridget Leanne Webster, 31; Joanna Speaks, 32; Kristin Smith, 22; and Ashley Real, 22 — all women in their twenties and thirties whose bodies were discovered in the Portland area in early-to-mid 2023, sparking fears of a serial killer. Calhoun was previously convicted in 2019 of assaulting a police officer, attempting to strangle a police dog, and burglary; he was released about a year early in 2021 after then-Governor Kate Brown commuted his sentence for participating in a wildfire-fighting program. Governor Tina Kotek revoked that commutation in 2023.
What Officials Are Saying
Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said: "The loss of life here is immense. The scope is difficult to really even comprehend, and my heart goes out to each of the victim's family." He added: "We will not stop. We will do everything in our power to hold him accountable and see that justice is done for each and every one of these victims." Gibson's family said in a statement: "Our family is grateful that a definitive step toward justice is finally being taken for our sister, Libby."
What's Next
Calhoun has pleaded not guilty to all prior charges. An arraignment on the new manslaughter count is scheduled for the week of September 21. A jury trial previously set for September 2027 has been postponed, and the new charge may further delay proceedings.
