An accused Oregon serial killer facing murder charges in the deaths of five women is suspected of killing a sixth.
Jesse Calhoun, 41, has been charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death of Elizabeth “Libby” Gibson, 32, of Portland, Multnomah County prosecutors announced during a Wednesday, September 16, news conference streamed by KPTV.
Calhoun is suspected of killing Gibson in November 2022, authorities said. She was reported missing a few months later, in March 2023.
“Our family is grateful that a definitive step towards justice is finally being taken for our sister, Libby,” Gibson’s siblings said in a statement read by the prosecutors. “Libby was kind, creative and silly. She welcomed everyone with love and acceptance. Her future was taken from her way too soon.”
Law enforcement officials reportedly declined to publicly reveal how they identified Calhoun as a suspect in Gibson’s killing during the investigation, according to The Oregonian.
Ahead of Gibson’s death, her friends said that she had gone through personal struggles and was unhoused, per the newspaper.
“It truly breaks my heart that this is how her life ended,” Lisa Shaw, a friend who said she knew Gibson since middle school, told the outlet.
The news of Calhoun’s indictment in connection to Gibson’s death comes a few months after the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office announced Calhoun was indicted in the murder of a fifth woman, Ashley Real.
Calhoun, who was charged with second-degree murder, is accused of killing Real in March 2023, the district attorney’s office said in a May 26 news release.
He was previously charged with second-degree murder and abuse of a corpse in the deaths of four others: Kristin Smith, Charity Perry, Joanna Speaks and Bridget Webster.
Calhoun has pleaded not guilty in relation to all five women’s deaths, per KPTV.
Each of the women were reportedly discovered dead in Oregon and Washington between 2022 and 2023.
Calhoun is due in court for an arraignment in connection with Gibson’s death on September 21, according to the TV station.
According to The Oregonian, Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero said on Wednesday that the women’s loved ones “wanted us to pass on that they stand with Libby’s family, that they stand with the prosecution, and that they will continue to support each other as this case works its way through the system.”
Calhoun’s defense attorneys declined the newspaper’s request for comment.
He is scheduled to stand trial in 2027.
