BOSTON (AP) — Brian Walshe was found guilty Monday of killing his wife, whose body has never been found after she disappeared from their Massachusetts home on New Year’s Day nearly three years ago. Ana Walshe, an immigrant from Serbia, was last seen early Jan. 1, 2023, after a New Year’s Eve dinner at the couple’s home. Walshe was convicted of first-degree murder after pleading guilty last month to lesser charges of misleading police and illegally disposing of her body.
There was no reaction in the courtroom as the verdict was read, with Walshe staring straight ahead. He was handcuffed and shackled before being led out of the courtroom.
Prosecutors leaned heavily on search data connected to Brian Walshe that revealed inquiries about dismembering bodies and cleaning up blood. The search terms included “dismemberment and best ways to dispose of a body,” “how long before a body starts to smell,” and “hacksaw best tool to dismember.”
When initially questioned by investigators, Walshe claimed his wife had been called to Washington, D.C., for a work emergency. However, witnesses testified that there was no evidence she used a ride service to reach the airport or boarded a flight. Walshe did not contact her employer until January 4.
Walshe later confessed to dismembering Ana's body and disposing of it in a dumpster, claiming he acted out of panic upon discovering her lifeless body in bed. His defense team did not present any witnesses, arguing that he panicked upon finding Ana dead.
There was no reaction in the courtroom as the verdict was read, with Walshe staring straight ahead. He was handcuffed and shackled before being led out of the courtroom.
Prosecutors leaned heavily on search data connected to Brian Walshe that revealed inquiries about dismembering bodies and cleaning up blood. The search terms included “dismemberment and best ways to dispose of a body,” “how long before a body starts to smell,” and “hacksaw best tool to dismember.”
When initially questioned by investigators, Walshe claimed his wife had been called to Washington, D.C., for a work emergency. However, witnesses testified that there was no evidence she used a ride service to reach the airport or boarded a flight. Walshe did not contact her employer until January 4.
Walshe later confessed to dismembering Ana's body and disposing of it in a dumpster, claiming he acted out of panic upon discovering her lifeless body in bed. His defense team did not present any witnesses, arguing that he panicked upon finding Ana dead.
