DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — In a pivotal trial that began Monday, prosecutors argue that Brian Walshe murdered his wife Ana, who has not been seen since a New Year's Eve dinner in 2022. Defense attorneys assert that Walshe acted in panic after Ana died unexpectedly in bed.
Ana Walshe, a Serbian immigrant and the family's sole provider, disappeared on January 1, 2023. Brian is charged with first-degree murder and previously pled guilty to lesser charges of misleading authorities and unlawfully disposing of a body.
Prosecutor Gregory P. Connor confirmed the state’s intention to demonstrate Walshe's guilt with evidence including his alarming internet searches detailing methods of dismemberment and body disposal.
Defense attorney Larry Tipton refuted the murder claims, framing the incident as the result of a tragic, unexplained death rather than foul play.
The prosecution has collected several pieces of evidence, including surveillance footage that reportedly shows Walshe disposing of items linked to his wife in a dumpster. Among these items were a hatchet, hacksaw, and personal items belonging to Ana.
The couple's life included controversy, including a $2.7 million life insurance policy benefiting Walshe. The couple’s three children are currently in state custody as the trial unfolds.
Brian Walshe was already facing sentencing related to an art fraud case prior to the trial concerning Ana, further complicating the narrative surrounding his legal issues.
As the trial progresses, various potential witnesses may come from the Massachusetts State Police, with previous cases eliciting concerns over the integrity of investigations.
