Jesse Lee Calhoun faces a first-degree manslaughter charge in the death of Elizabeth “Libby” Gibson, whose body has not been found.
PORTLAND, OR — An Oregon man already accused of killing five women in the Portland area has been indicted in connection with a sixth death, expanding a yearslong investigation that prosecutors say remains active. A Multnomah County grand jury charged Jesse Lee Calhoun with first-degree manslaughter in the death of 32-year-old Elizabeth “Libby” Gibson.
Prosecutors allege Calhoun caused Gibson’s death on or about Nov. 18, 2022, while acting unlawfully and recklessly under circumstances showing extreme indifference to human life. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office announced the indictment Sept. 16. Gibson’s body has not been found, and authorities have not publicly disclosed how they believe she died or what evidence connected Calhoun to her disappearance.
Gibson was last seen in 2022 and was reported missing in March 2023. If prosecutors’ timeline is proved, her death would have occurred before the five other killings for which Calhoun has been charged. Authorities have not explained publicly how Gibson knew Calhoun or the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, citing the continuing investigation.
Gibson’s siblings said in a statement released by the district attorney’s office that they were grateful for what they called a significant step in the case. They remembered her as “kind, creative, and silly” and said she welcomed people with love and acceptance. The family also thanked investigators and prosecutors and asked for privacy as they continued to mourn her.
Calhoun, 41, already faces five counts of second-degree murder involving women prosecutors allege he killed between late 2022 and spring 2023. He was first indicted in May 2024 in the deaths of Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Leann Webster, 31, and Joanna Speaks, 32. Prosecutors later charged him in the death of Kristin Smith, 22, in August 2025 and in the death of Ashley Real, 22, in May 2026.
The earlier case also includes charges of second-degree abuse of a corpse. Prosecutors have said Smith was killed on or about Nov. 20, 2022; Perry on or about March 8, 2023; Speaks on or about March 18, 2023; Real on or about March 27, 2023; and Webster on or about April 26, 2023. Calhoun has pleaded not guilty to the earlier murder charges, and the allegations against him have not been proved in court.
The investigation developed over several years. In July 2023, law enforcement agencies announced that investigators had found links among the deaths of Smith, Perry, Webster and Real and had identified a person of interest connected to all four women. Officials did not disclose the nature of those links at the time. Calhoun was later indicted in three of the deaths in 2024, followed by additional charges in 2025 and 2026.
Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said the scale of the investigation has been substantial and that his office remains committed to the victims’ families. Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero said information supplied by members of the public, including details that may have seemed minor, has helped investigators develop the case. Prosecutors have not publicly released the evidence they say supports the new manslaughter charge.
The addition of Gibson’s case could also affect the schedule for Calhoun’s broader prosecution. Prosecutors previously said they intended to try the five murder cases together. Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that a jury trial once planned for September 2027 had already been canceled and that prosecutors said the newest charge could lead to further scheduling changes.
Calhoun is scheduled to be arraigned on the first-degree manslaughter indictment Sept. 21 in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Authorities continue to seek information about Gibson’s disappearance and death and about the other cases connected to Calhoun. The indictment is an accusation, and Calhoun is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in court.
Author note: Last updated September 20, 2026.