KIRBY CALDERWOOD, a 36-year-old man admitted to killing a former patient he knew from his time working at an Alaska assisted living facility, leaving her body in a crawl space at his then-girlfriend’s parents’ home and keeping a personal item belonging to the victim, according to court records.
Calderwood pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 38-year-old Anesha “Duffy” Murnane in Homer, a community about 220 miles southeast of Anchorage. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped eight additional charges, including first-degree murder, kidnapping, evidence tampering, manslaughter, and sexual assault, according to NPR affiliate KBBI in Homer.
Murnane, who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, disappeared on Oct. 17, 2019, from Main Tree Housing, an assisted living facility where she resided. Her disappearance drew widespread attention across the Kenai Peninsula and led to extensive search efforts involving law enforcement, firefighters, and community members. Her body has never been recovered.
Investigators said the case advanced in 2022 after a Crime Stoppers tip alleged that Calderwood had abducted, killed, and disposed of Murnane’s body. Authorities later confirmed that Calderwood had worked at the facility in 2018. Police said Calderwood’s wife told investigators that he confessed to killing Murnane in the crawl space of his then-girlfriend’s house. After the killing, he moved out of state to Utah.
A search of the crawl space reportedly uncovered Murnane’s DNA.
Police in Ogden, Utah, executed multiple search warrants as part of the investigation. During one search of Calderwood’s residence, officers located a small women’s wristwatch with a black band inside a dresser drawer, according to affidavits obtained by NBC affiliate KTUU in Anchorage.
An affidavit cited an anonymous tip stating that Calderwood had kept Murnane’s wristwatch, describing it as a small black watch that illuminated when a button was pressed. Investigators said photographs of Murnane showed her wearing a similar watch, and family members also identified it as hers. A missing-person flyer was reportedly found near the same dresser.
Authorities said Calderwood acknowledged knowing Murnane from his employment at the assisted living facility. The Homer Police Department reported receiving hundreds of tips over the course of the investigation, with one providing specific information that allowed detectives to focus on Calderwood as a suspect.
In an affidavit filed by investigator Matt Haney, two women who previously had relationships with Calderwood alleged he had committed acts of sexual violence against them. The affidavit noted that those allegations were reportedly made to the U.S. Army, though it was unclear what action was taken. One woman told investigators that Calderwood admitted to harming animals from a young age, and other women described similar concerns about his behavior.
The affidavit also referenced a tip claiming Calderwood described encountering Murnane, offering her a ride, and bringing her to an unoccupied house under the pretense of retrieving an item. Investigators said Calderwood later admitted to disposing of her phone and concealing her remains.
Calderwood is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1. Under the plea agreement, prosecutors are seeking a 99-year prison sentence with 12 years suspended.
