Springfield House Of Horrors Suspect Faces 52 Charges

SPRINGFIELD, MA—A Springfield man whose home was a crime scene months ago after bodies were found in it was indicted on Thursday on 52 charges that included murder, rape and kidnapping.

Stewart Weldon was by the Hampden County Grand Jury on 52 counts including three counts of Murder, eight counts of Strangulation, nine counts of Aggravated Rape, two counts of Rape, five counts of Aggravated Kidnapping, four counts of Kidnapping and two counts of Assault to Rape.

The charges stem from a year's time and involve eleven victims, the investigation starting with a traffic stop on May 27 of 2018 in which officers found a woman who said she was being beaten and held captive by Weldon.

On Wednesday, May 30, officers responded to 1333 Page Boulevard and during the search of the residence, discovered the remains of three women in and around the Page Boulevard home. The three women were later identified as Ernestine Ryans, 47, of Springfield, America Lyden, 34, of Springfield, and Kayla Escalante, 27, of Ludlow.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “I thank the Springfield Police Department’s Homicide Unit and my Office’s Murder Unit, specifically Assistant District Attorney Max Bennett. They managed a very complicated crime scene and early investigation very effectively and collected and organized a tremendous amount of evidence, which was presented to the Grand Jury to secure these indictments. With these fifty-two indictments in hand, we will now begin a vigorous prosecution with an eye towards justice for the victims and their families.”

Photo via Hampden District Attorney's office