Jesse Calhoun faces a manslaughter charge in connection with the 2022 death of Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Gibson

NEED TO KNOW

• Jesse Calhoun was indicted on a charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Elizabeth “Libby” Gibson on Wednesday, Sept. 15.
• Gibson is believed to be Calhoun’s sixth victim, authorities said
• Calhoun is already under indictment in connection with the murders of 5 Portland-area women

An Oregon man suspected of being a serial killer has been indicted in the killing of a sixth woman. 

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez announced in a press release that Jesse Calhoun, who is already under indictment on murder charges in connection with the deaths of five Portland-area women, has now been indicted on a murder charge in connection with a sixth death.

The sixth alleged victim has been identified as Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Gibson. Her body has not been recovered, but investigators believe she died on or about Nov. 18, 2022.

Calhoun was indicted by a Multnomah County grand jury on a charge of first-degree manslaughter for unlawfully and recklessly causing the death under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life on Sept. 15.

“Our family is grateful that a definitive step toward justice is finally being taken for our sister, Libby,” her family said in a statement. “Libby was kind, creative, and silly. She welcomed everyone with love and acceptance. Her future was tragically taken from her way [too] soon.”

Gibson’s family thanked law enforcement for their “tireless work and dedication.”

“At this time, our family respectfully asks for privacy as we process this heartbreaking development and continue to honor Libby’s memory,” her sisters said.

She was first reported missing by a friend in March 2023, KPTV reported.

Gibson is the sixth woman that Calhoun is accused of killing. He was previously indicted on charges stemming from the deaths of five women that authorities say died between 2022 and 2023.

Ashley Real, 22, was allegedly killed on or about March 27, 2023, the Multnomah County District Attorney stated in a prior release. 

Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Leanne Webster, 31, and Joanna Speaks, 32, who were all “found deceased under suspicious circumstances in 2023,” PEOPLE previously reported.

Additionally, Calhoun was charged in the death of Kristin Smith, whom he is accused of killing “on or about November 20, 2022,” per the Multnomah County District Attorney’s release.

All five of the women’s bodies were found in rural and wooded areas throughout northwest Oregon and southwest Washington between late 2022 and mid-2023, per KPTV.

Kristin Smith’s mother Melissa Smith previously told reporters, per the Associated Press, “We’ve all experienced the worst thing that could ever happen to you, and it’s incredibly hard to see one of the other families hurt the way we do.”

Before any of the victims’ bodies were discovered, Calhoun pleaded guilty to multiple charges stemming from a 2019 incident in which he choked a police dog. He was sentenced to prison on charges of burglary, assaulting a public safety officer and interfering with a law enforcement animal, PEOPLE previously reported.

Former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown commuted his sentence in 2021 after he volunteered to help firefighters battling the wildfires that ravaged the state in 2020.

Calhoun has been in police custody in connection with the deaths of the five women since June 2024, according to online records viewed by PEOPLE. It is not known whether he has an attorney.

“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. We remain committed to these families for as long as it takes,” Vasquez said.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero added, “The scope of this investigation is enormous. But all information is useful. And to the extent that individuals have been willing to come forward in the past and provide information to us, no matter how small, that information has led us to where we are here today.”

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Calhoun is scheduled to be arraigned on the manslaughter charge on Monday, Sept. 21, the news station said.

The investigation into Gibson’s death remains ongoing.

Anyone with information on this or other cases that may be related to Calhoun is asked to contact Portland Police at homicidetips@police.portlandoregon.gov.

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