SPRINGFIELD -- Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni on Monday described the case against Stewart Weldon as "sprawling" and pledged to work with victims and their family members throughout the process.

"There's a long way to go and we realize that," Gulluni said in an interview after Weldon pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and 49 other charges in Hampden Superior Court.

About 20 family members of victims, some in tears, were in the courtroom Monday for the arraignment.

Weldon, 41, is charged with murder in the deaths of of Kayla Escalante, 27, of Ludlow, and Springfield residents Ernestine Ryans, 47, and 34-year-old America Lyden. Their bodies were found in and around the 1333 Page Blvd. property where he lived.

A grand jury indicted Weldon on a total of 52, including kidnapping and aggravated rape. The indictments list a total of 11 victims.

"We've had contact with all the victims," Gulluni said. "That was a very laborious task, finding them, making contact with them. Getting them on board to pursue a prosecution against someone who harmed them in a very, very awful way."

Gulluni said his department -- including prosecutors and victim witness advocates -- is working with victims and family members to help them understand the process.

"We hope that through this process there's some sense of justice for them," he said. "There's really never closure when you lose a loved one especially in such a tragic and horrific way but we'll work with them throughout to make this experience as, I guess, fulfilling and easy as possible because it will wind its way through the court system over many many months."

He continued: "We'll keep them informed, we'll work with them and we'll do our best to give them whatever comfort we can through the court system."

Assistant District Attorney Max Bennett is prosecuting the case. Weldon's defense attorney is Brian Murphy.

Judge Michael K. Callan ordered Weldon held without right to bail Monday. Weldon's next court date is Jan. 18, 2019.