The sister of one of six women found dead within a 100-mile radius of Portland, Oregon, claims authorities are trying to play down fears about a potential serial killer in the area.

“I think that they [police] are trying to make sure that they keep the public from being too freaked out about [a] serial killer,” Robyn Speaks told News Nation. “Either way, women are dying. And the numbers are rising,”

Speaks’ sister, Joanna, was one of six corpses discovered in the area in recent months. The homeless drug addict was found in a rural expanse with blunt force trauma to the head and neck, according to police.

To this point, investigators have yet to establish any concrete links between the slayings and have denied the existence of a serial killer.

“These discussions have led to some anxiety and fear in our community, and we want to provide reassurance that the speculation is not supported by the facts available at this point,” the Portland Police Bureau said.

The victims include 22-year-old Kristin Smith, who was found in a wooded area in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood in February after being reported missing last December.

The cause of death in that case is still under investigation.

The Clackamas Sheriff’s Office is probing the death of Ashley Real, 22, who was also found in a rural location after vanishing from a fast food restaurant in late March. Her death is being treated as suspicious, but cops have not deemed the case a homicide.

Bridget Webster was found dead on April 30 in Polk County, while Charity Perry, 24, and an unidentified Native woman were both found in separate locations the prior week.

Speaks is the only case that has been declared a homicide to this point, with causes of death in all the other cases still pending.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigaing the different cases as the bodies were found in multiple counties. They have said they are coordinating and vetting for similarities between the deaths.

The joint efforts have sparked spiraling social media speculation that a serial killer is preying on area women.

Portland had a record number of homicides in 2021 with 92 then surpassed it in 2022 with 101 but authorities have said that 2023 so far show the number decreasing.

“Like with all investigations of this nature we are routinely in contact with our law enforcement partners,” the bureau cautioned. “That has happened here, but that should not suggest a connection has been made.”

Most of the deceased came from “vulnerable” backgrounds involving homeless stints and drug use, leading to speculation that they were potentially targeted as weak marks.