Reggie Townsend, a 34-year-old Oregon resident recently released from prison, faces first-degree murder charges for the death of Kolton Esparza. Authorities allege Townsend tortured and beat the unhoused man with a rock and his shoes near the Eulolona Trailhead in Klamath County. Townsend's sister, Jamie Harrington, is charged with second-degree murder for her role in transporting the victim.
Reggie Townsend, 34, was arrested in connection with the death of Kolton Esparza, an unhoused man, in Klamath County, Oregon. According to a probable cause affidavit from the Klamath Falls Police Department, Esparza was discovered nude and severely beaten inside a vacant residence near the Eulolona Trailhead. His body showed signs of torture, including bound wrists with rope, and he died from severe head trauma.
Townsend and his sister, Jamie Harrington, are the alleged perpetrators. Townsend faces charges of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, felon in possession of a firearm, and tampering with evidence. Harrington is charged with second-degree murder. Police state that Harrington drove Townsend, Esparza, and an unidentified male in her 2006 Dodge Dakota from an address off Summers Lane in Klamath Falls to the trailhead. Esparza requested to be dropped off elsewhere, but Harrington refused.
At the trailhead, the three men exited the vehicle and walked east on Cypress Avenue. Harrington later picked up Townsend and the other man, who claimed Esparza had "headed out." Esparza's body was found directly east of the trailhead, in the path of the suspects.
Harrington confessed to police about her involvement. In a letter to his girlfriend, Townsend reportedly wrote, "I beat Kolton with a rock and stomped him out with my shoes." This admission came months after Townsend's release from prison in November 2025 for a prior manslaughter conviction. On November 30, 2025, he posted on Facebook: "I'm fresh outta prison and I'm vibing with my family and I can honestly say I'm blessed. Feeling blessed."
During his arrest, Townsend was found with a .22 caliber rifle, which he is prohibited from possessing as a convicted felon. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 9.
