Crime

Third body found in home of man who allegedly held woman captive, prosecutor says

May 31, 2018 / 9:29 PM EDT / AP

Three bodies found in Massachusetts home of suspected kidnapper

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A third body has been found at the Massachusetts home of a man charged with kidnapping, sexually assaulting and torturing a woman. Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni says the bodies were found "in and around" the Springfield home after police went there Wednesday. Late Thursday, Gulluni confirmed a third body had been found on the property.

Gulluni says it's believed 47-year-old Stewart Weldon lived at the home. Weldon was arrested Sunday after a car chase.

A woman in Weldon's car said he held her captive for a month, sexually assaulted her and beat her.

Three bodies were found in a Springfield home. CBS Boston

Weldon pleaded not guilty to a variety of charges Tuesday and was held on $1 million bail. The public defender who represented Weldon at his arraignment didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

Stewart Weldon, who was arrested Sunday after a car chase that ended when he crashed into a police cruiser and wrestled with officers, "does, we believe, live at this address," Gulluni said.

A woman in Weldon's car said he held her captive for a month, sexually assaulted her and beat her with a hammer and other objects, police said.

"Thank you for saving my life," the woman told officers, according to a police report. "I never thought I would get away."

The woman was taken to a hospital with what police called "grotesque and violent" injuries, including a possible fractured jaw, stab wounds to her abdomen, marks from being hit with a blunt object and a leg infection. She was still in the hospital on Thursday, Gulluni said.

Weldon, who is 47, pleaded not guilty to a variety of charges on Tuesday and was held on $1 million bail. His bail in several unrelated cases was revoked.

Weldon had not been charged in connection with the discovery of the bodies. Gulluni did not disclose the names, ages or genders of the bodies.

The public defender who represented Weldon at his arraignment did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Thursday.

A police department spokesman said there was no threat to the public.