The “Portland 5” Murders: Could There Be More Victims?

The Portland Five Emerge [00:00:00]

• Five women, Kristen Smith, Charity Perry, Bridget Webster, Ashley Rial, and Joanna Speaks, were found dead between February and May 2023.
• Initial investigations treated the deaths as separate cases, with police initially stating no connection.
• Families of the victims began advocating for answers and seeking connections.

  "This is something that we are quite literally watching happen in real time."

Unraveling Connections [00:00:00]

• Bridget Webster and Joanna Speaks were discovered to have known each other from childhood.
• This discovery, along with the proximity of the deaths, led to increased suspicion of a connection.
• Police later changed their stance, announcing a person of interest linked to four of the victims.

  "The police had literally just said a few weeks ago they were not connected."

Jesse Lee Calhoun Identified [00:00:00]

• Jesse Lee Calhoun was named as the person of interest in the deaths of Kristen Smith, Charity Perry, Bridget Webster, and Ashley Rial.
• Calhoun had an extensive criminal history, including violent assaults and burglaries.
• He had received early release from a previous sentence due to his participation in firefighting efforts during wildfires.

  "So let's call this what it is. This is a documented dangerous guy."

Ashley Rial's Prior Encounter [00:00:00]

• Ashley Rial's father revealed that his daughter had reported being choked by Jesse Calhoun months before her death.
• A police report was filed, and Ashley was asked to help find Calhoun, but she refused due to fear.
• This information highlighted a previous documented interaction between Ashley and Calhoun.

  "He told the AP that he actually called police in November, 2022, after his daughter, Ashley, came to his house crying and said she had been choked by Jesse Calhoun."

Calhoun's Girlfriend's Account [00:00:00]

• Calhoun's girlfriend, Krista Heinsteiner, provided details about his alleged actions and relationships.
• She claimed to have seen an explicit video of Bridget Webster on Calhoun's phone.
• Police have not officially confirmed the details of Heinsteiner's account.

  "Well, it seems if Krista's account of things is correct, there may be some digital evidence that exists."

Indictments Begin [00:00:00]

• In May 2024, Jesse Calhoun was indicted for the murders of Charity Perry, Bridget Webster, and Joanna Speaks.
• Charges included second-degree murder and abuse of a corpse.
• Kristen Smith's mother expressed devastation that her daughter was not included in this initial indictment.

  "These charges were for the deaths of Charity Perry, Bridget Webster, and the Washington case Joanna Speaks."

Kristen Smith and Ashley Rial Indicted [00:00:00]

• In August 2025, over a year later, Calhoun was indicted for the murder of Kristen Smith.
• In May 2026, Calhoun was indicted for the murder of Ashley Rial.
• The families expressed relief and emotional accounts of finally reaching these milestones after years of waiting.

  "It had been 898 days since she found out her daughter was dead. Almost 1,000 days with no answers."

Ongoing Investigation and Unidentified Victim [00:00:00]

• Detectives are aiming for a joint trial in 2027, potentially pushed to 2028.
• Authorities have not confirmed if there are more victims but vow to leave no stone unturned.
• A sixth unidentified woman was found in May 2023, and her case remains open, with authorities seeking help to identify her.

  "The world will find you."