Name: Anesha Katherine Murnane
Nickname: Duffy
Age: 38 years old
Last seen: October 17, 2019
Location: Homer, Alaska
Status: Still Missing (presumed dead)
Case Information
38-year-old Anesha Murnane was last seen in Homer, Alaska on October 17, 2019. She disappeared after leaving her apartment for a doctor’s appointment.
Background
Anesha Katherine Murnane was born on August 12, 1981 in Homer, Alaska to parents Timothy J. Murnane and Sara Berg.
Murnane holds a Master’s Degree in Education and worked as a preschool teacher. She had teaching positions at schools in Honduras, Australia, and most recently at a Montessori school in Seattle, Washington.
Prior to her disappearance, Murnane moved back home to Alaska after experiencing some medical issues. She was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition for which she was taking medication for.
At the time of her disappearance, Murnane lived in an apartment at MainTree Supportive Living Facility, a supported housing facility near Main Street and Lee Street in Homer, Alaska.
Murnane’s condition was stable and she had shown improvement, but she was classified as a vulnerable and dependent adult.
Disappearance
On October 17, 2019, Murnane was last seen on a security camera leaving her apartment at the MainTree Supportive Living Facility around 12:13 p.m.
Murnane was presumably headed on foot to a 1:00 pm appointment at SVT Health & Wellness clinic, a clinic about a mile away along Pioneer Avenue and East End Road.
Anesha Murnane never showed up to her appointment and has never been heard from again.
On October 19, 2019, an employee from the housing complex filed a missing person’s report with the Homer Police Department when Murnane stopped showing up.
Investigation
Search dogs tracked Anesha Murnane’s scent to Pioneer Avenue where it stopped in front of Kachemak Bay Campus, indicating she may have been picked up in a vehicle.
Murnane did not own a vehicle and got around by walking. Her relatives say she would not get into a car with a stranger.
Her phone records, bank account and social media have had no activity since her disappearance, and Murnane did not use the airline tickets she had for planned trips to Oregon and Mexico in November 2019.
On June 17, 2021, 38 year old Anesha Murnane was declared dead in a presumptive death jury hearing. The court determined she had been the victim of a homicide.
Anonymous tip received in missing woman case
On April 14, 2022, authorities received an anonymous tip with detailed information about Anesha Murnane’s disappearance, naming 32 year old Kirby Foleni Calderwood as the person responsible for her murder.
In 2017, Calderwood was employed by South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services as a direct service provider, someone who cares for mentally and medically vulnerable individuals.
In 2019, Calderwood began working at Main Tree Housing, the supported living facility where he met Murnane. He also ate meals with her in a program at South Peninsula Behavioral Services.
On May 20, 2021, Calderwood was identified by authorities as a person of interest in Anesha Murnane’s disappearance, but the information had not been made public. He had an extensive history of abusive violent sexual behavior in his relationships.
Ogden resident suspected in Anesha Murnane’s disappearance
On May 5, 2022, search warrants were conducted on Calderwood’s car and on his home on Quincy Avenue in Ogden, Utah, where they found a machete and several large knives covered with dried blood.
Additionally, authorities recovered a ladies Timex watch that matched the description given by Anesha’s parents as well as a missing person’s flier for Anesha Murnane.
Authorities interviewed Calderwood’s current third wife and she admitted to being the anonymous tipster. In May 2021, Calderwood reportedly confessed to her about the abduction, assault, and killing of Anesha Murnane.
Kirby Calderwood arrested in Anesha Murnane’s murder
On October 17, 2019, Calderwood allegedly went driving around in Homer, Alaska, looking for a victim, when he picked up Murnane in his 2010 blue Subaru Forester, offering her a ride to her destination.
Calderwood took Murnane to the unoccupied home of his then girlfriend’s parents house in Homer, where he sexually assaulted and tortured her in a prepared crawlspace before killing her.
Calderwood wrapped her body in thick plastic bags in a fish tote before disposing of it in a dumpster, within sight of an elderly woman’s home whom he had previously cared for. Anesha’s body has not been found.
On May 9, 2022, Calderwood was arrested in Ogden, Utah where he was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, kidnapping and tampering with physical evidence in Anesha Murnane’s case.
Kirby Calderwood is currently being held at the Weber County Correctional Facility on a $1 million bail.
Whereabouts
Foul play is suspected in Anesha Murnane’s disappearance. Kirby Calderwood is considered the main suspect and is currently awaiting trial.
The circumstances of Anesha Murnane’s disappearance remain unclear and her case is currently classified as homicide. Her case remains unsolved.
Appearance
Physical Description:
Caucasian female born on August 12, 1981. Anesha has brown hair, blue eyes, stands 5’11 tall and weighs 155 pounds.
Distinctive Physical Features:
Anesha wears eyeglasses and her ears are pierced.
Clothing and accessories:
Anesha was last seen wearing a blue jacket over a light blue shirt and blue jeans. She was carrying a pink and black plaid purse with a shoulder strap containing her wallet, cellular phone and identification.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Anesha Katherine Murnane please contact the Homer Police Department at (907) 235-3150, or the Alaska State Troopers at (907) 269-5511.
Resources & Further Information
Anesha Murnane – Facebook
Bring Duffy Home – Facebook
Anesha Katherine Murnane #MP61059 – National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
Anesha Murnane Update – Homer Police Department Press Release
News & Media Links
Family fears for missing Homer woman, Search efforts expand statewide – Alaska News Source 10/19
Homer woman remains missing after search shifts statewide – Homer News 10/19
Mother fears for daughter Anesha “Duffy” Murnane missing from Homer, Alaska home since October – NBC News 02/20
Missing Homer woman presumed dead – Homer News 07/21
Police arrest man in murder, kidnapping of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane – Homer News 05/22
Arrest made in 2019 disappearance of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane in Homer, Alaska – NBC News 05/22
Alaska torture murder suspect arrested, held in Ogden – Standard-Examiner 05/22
Man charged with Homer woman’s murder worked with vulnerable adults – Alaska News Source 05/22
Former Homer resident kidnapped and murdered woman missing since 2019, police say – KTOO 05/22
How did this guy get a job working with vulnerable individuals? Someone dropped the ball big time.