Portland murders – live: Person of interest identified in ‘serial killings’ of four women

The deaths of six different women in the Portland, Oregon area have sparked fears online that there may be a connection between them, although police say so far they have not been.

Between February and May, six women were found within 100 miles of each other by the side of roads or in wooded areas – raising suspicions of a similar cause of death.

Portland-area police say they have reason to believe a single person of interest is linking four separate suspected female deaths in the greater area in recent months.

Read the officials full update for the public Here.

On Monday, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said it had linked four of the victims to a single person of interest KPTV.

The identity of the individual has not been released by authorities and she is not currently charged in connection with the killings, the sheriff’s office said.

Bevan Hurley has the details.

On February 19, Kristin Smith’s remains are found were found in a wooded area in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood of Portland.

Prior to her discovery, her family told local media that they feared she might have been a victim of sex trafficking.

“One of our biggest concerns right now is the sex trade. We don’t know, but based on things we’ve been told, or people who know her, say it’s a possibility because it’s unlike her to just disappear,” said Melissa Smith, Kristin’s mother. said KPTV.

“When I tried to reach her again, she didn’t answer, and I thought that was strange, but I thought, ‘Well, maybe she was busy.’ Same thing the next day and then the phone went straight to voicemail and I was like, ‘This is very strange.’ ‘Something’s wrong,’ she added

Smith went missing in November.

Prior to Monday’s surprise announcement, police previously tried to downplay online “rumors” linking the suspicious deaths of several women in the Portland area in recent months.

“The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has heard widespread questions and concerns about the investigation into the deaths of six women across the area, particularly after widespread social media posts and news articles suggested a connection between them,” officials wrote in one press release Last month.

“These discussions have caused some concern and apprehension in our community and we want to assure you that the speculation is not supported by the facts available at this time.”

“While any premature death is a cause for concern and we, in cooperation with the Multnomah County and Oregon State Medical Examiner offices, will carefully investigate deaths occurring in our jurisdiction, PPB has no reason to believe these six cases are related.” , the authority continued.

Police said Monday’s update on the case was based on new interviews.

“Investigators interviewed several individuals in connection with these cases and identified at least one person of interest associated with all four of the deceased,” the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement The Independent.

The deaths of four women in the Portland area have been linked to a person of interest, officials from multiple police departments confirmed Monday.

However, the manner of her death is still unclear.

According to a joint press release, the Oregon state coroner could not determine the cause or manner of her death.

All four women were found within 100 miles of each other near or on the side of the road.

Authorities investigating the four linked deaths in Portland, Oregon are asking the public for information that might help them find answers.

For advice on the Charity Perry cases, people can contact Detective Kevin Odil of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office at Kevin.odil@mcso.us or call 503-988-0560.

If you need advice on the Bridget Webster case, you can contact Detective David Shorter of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at shorter.david@co.polk.or.us.

For advice on the Ashley Real case, people can contact the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office at 503-723-4949.

Ashley Real, 22, was found on SE Judd Road near Eagle Creek in May, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said.

Ms Real went missing in March. She was last seen at a fast food restaurant off Southeast Division Street

Police initially declared Ms Real missing until her body was found by a fisherman. The police then declared her death to be “suspicious in nature”.

According to authorities, Bridget Leann (Ramsey) Webster was found dead on April 30 on Harmony Road near Mill Creek in northwest Polk County.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office gave few details about the circumstances of her death, saying only that it was suspicious.

Ms. Webster, a resident of Milwaukie, Oregon, was last known to be in the greater Portland area, similar to the downtown areas of the other victims.

in one opinion Officials from nine Oregon law enforcement agencies said there was no danger to the public at this time, despite four deaths.

“Based on the information available to investigators, it is believed that there is currently no active threat to the community,” the statement released Monday said.

The statement went on to say, “No one has been charged in connection with these four death investigations.”

The joint statement said it could not provide any further information about the nature of the deaths or how they were related.