HOMER, AK – The quiet town of Homer was shaken to its core when a long-standing mystery surrounding the disappearance of a local woman was finally unraveled, revealing a dark and unsettling tale that spanned several years and two states.
Kirby Calderwood, 36, admitted in court to the murder of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, a 38-year-old woman who was under his care while he worked at an assisted living facility in Homer in 2018. The plea resolved a case that left the close-knit community grappling with grief and uncertainty since Murnane vanished from her residence on October 17, 2019.
Murnane’s unexplained disappearance triggered an extensive search involving law enforcement and concerned locals across the Kenai Peninsula, but her whereabouts remained a mystery for more than two years. Despite unwavering community efforts and hundreds of leads, no trace of Murnane’s body has been recovered to date.
A key development arrived in 2022 when a tipster provided chilling details about Calderwood’s involvement. The informant described how Calderwood had abducted Murnane, murdered her, and attempted to cover up the crime by stashing her body in a crawl space at his girlfriend’s house before relocating to Utah.
Investigators in Homer began scrutinizing Calderwood more closely after discovering he had worked at the same facility where Murnane lived. Authorities contacted Calderwood’s former wife, who revealed he had confessed to her about killing Murnane and hiding the body. This admission marked a breakthrough after years of unanswered questions.
Police searches of the girlfriend’s crawl space linked Murnane to the property through DNA evidence. The investigation soon extended to Utah, where Calderwood had settled. During a search of his home in Ogden, officers discovered a small black Timex wristwatch among his personal belongings—a watch identified by Murnane’s family as the one she wore when she disappeared.
The presence of the watch supported claims that Calderwood had kept it as a souvenir, a disturbing detail corroborated by both the tipster and Murnane’s relatives. Investigators also found a missing-person flyer about Murnane next to the dresser where the watch was stowed, deepening suspicions.
Further inquiries uncovered a troubling history of violent behavior. Women previously involved with Calderwood shared accounts of sexual assault and abuse dating back years, some of which were reportedly brought to the attention of the U.S. Army. One woman alleged that Calderwood had a history of cruelty to animals from a young age.
Court documents revealed that the tipster relayed specific details about the crime: Calderwood allegedly lured Murnane into a vehicle under the pretense of needing a phone charger, then took her to the vacant house where the killing occurred. Calderwood later admitted to disposing of Murnane’s cell phone in a lake and attempting to conceal her remains.
The guilty plea resulted in the dismissal of several other charges, including kidnapping, sexual assault, and first-degree murder, following negotiations with prosecutors. Calderwood now faces a 99-year sentence, with 12 years suspended, as part of the agreement. Sentencing is scheduled for July 1.
The resolution brings a measure of closure to a devastated community, although the absence of Murnane’s remains still weighs heavily on her loved ones. Despite the case’s grim details, residents of Homer hope the truth coming to light will finally allow them to begin healing.