Authorities in Portland, Oregon, have announced that the deaths of four women, whose bodies were discovered between February and May, are connected. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office stated that they have identified at least one person of interest in relation to the deaths of Kristin Smith (22), Charity Perry (24), Bridget Webster (31), and Ashely Real (22).
No charges have been filed, and the person of interest remains unidentified. Authorities have refrained from sharing further details about the connections between the cases due to ongoing investigations into the deaths. The state medical examiner’s office is still determining the cause and manner of death in each instance.
The district attorney’s office emphasized that, based on the available information, there is no believed active danger to the community at present. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement agencies from throughout the region have collaborated extensively to establish the links between the four cases.
Smith’s body was found in southeast Portland on February 19, while Perry was discovered in a culvert on Multnomah County’s East Historic Columbia River Highway on April 24. Webster’s body was located six days later on a rural road in nearby Polk County, and Real’s remains were found in a wooded area in Clackamas County on May 7.
The stepgrandfather of Bridget Webster shared in an interview that he had cared for her until she left home during her freshman year of high school. He reminisced about the time they spent together, stating that she was a good girl until he lost contact with her years ago.
It is important to note that the announcement did not include information regarding two other women found deceased in the region during the same period. The Portland Police Bureau previously stated that they had found no evidence linking these deaths.
The agency addressed the public’s concerns, acknowledging that social media posts and news articles suggesting a connection between the deaths had caused fear and anxiety. They emphasized that the current speculation lacks factual support.
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Overall, the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies have established the connections between the four cases, while investigations into the deaths continue.