Authorities Identify 3 Dead Bodies Found In Springfield, Mass., Home

This story was updated at 4:01 p.m.

Authorities have identified three bodies found at the Springfield, Massachusetts, home of a kidnapping suspect. 

Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said Monday all three were women, and two had been reported missing.

He identified them as Ernestine Ryans, 47, and America Lyden, 34, both of Springfield; and Kayla Escalante, 27, of Ludlow.

The bodies were found at the Springfield home of Stewart Weldon, 40.

Weldon was arrested May 27 after a traffic stop and held on $1 million bail after pleading not guilty Monday to kidnapping and rape charges.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said the investigation continues at Weldon's residence.

At a press conference Monday, Gulluni would not specifically tie Weldon to the deaths.

"I'm not declaring any suspects because we don't have a matter of death given to us by the office of the chief medical examiner," he said. "But there's no reason to believe there's any heightened threat, and I've said that since the beginning."

Gulluni called the discovery "tragic."

"It's awful. It's unlike anything I've ever seen," he said. "And the police officers with whom I'm working are in a similar position. I think the original reaction was a bit of shock."

Two of the women, Lyden and Ryans, had been reported missing to the Springfield police in recent months.

Police said Lyden had been reported missing December 1, 2017, but the person notifying police said she hadn't been seen by family or friends since June 1, 2017. Ryans was reported missing March 18, 2018, and hadn't been seen since March 8. According to the police, both Lyden and Ryans had a history of going missing in the past. 

No charges have been filed in connection with the discovery of the bodies.

This report includes information from The Associated Press.