Brian Walshe Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder in Wife's Dismemberment Case

BOSTON — Brian Walshe was found guilty Monday of first-degree murder in the grisly death of his wife, whom he was accused of killing and dismembering nearly three years ago while he awaited sentencing in an art fraud case relating to the sale of two fake Andy Warhol paintings. Ana Walshe, a 39-year-old real estate agent who immigrated from Serbia and mother of three children, was last seen early Jan. 1, 2023, after a New Year's Eve dinner at the couple's home in Massachusetts. Her body has never been recovered despite extensive searches. There was no reaction in the courtroom or from the 50-year-old Walshe as the verdict was read. Walshe, who faces life in state prison without parole, is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday. He was handcuffed and shackled before being led out of the courtroom. Last month, shortly before jury selection began, Walshe abruptly switched to a guilty plea on two lesser charges of misleading police and willfully disposing of a human body in violation of state law. His trial, which lasted roughly two weeks, focused solely on the charge of first-degree murder. "It's not about winning or losing. It's about getting the right answer and this was the right answer," Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey told reporters outside court. "We don't look at cases as wins or losses. We look at getting justice for someone, so let's not lose sight of that fact." Prosecutors relied extensively on digital evidence when presenting their case against Brian Walshe. This included disturbing online searches such as "best ways to dispose of a body," "best tool to dismember," "how long for someone missing to inherit," and "how long missing to be dead." Investigators discovered these searches on a MacBook belonging to Walshe. The prosecution argued that Brian killed Ana on New Year's Eve, motivated by a $2.7 million life insurance policy for which Brian Walshe was set to be the sole beneficiary, and an affair Ana Walshe had been having. An insurance executive confirmed details about the policy during the proceedings. Additional evidence included surveillance footage of Walshe purchasing hundreds of dollars' worth of cleaning supplies and cutting tools, and discarded items with blood and DNA from both Brian and Ana Walshe that were discovered by investigators. In January 2023, Walshe was initially charged with his wife's murder shortly after her employer reported her missing. He initially told police that Ana had taken an Uber or Lyft on New Year's Day to fly to Washington due to a work emergency. Jurors were instructed they could consider both first- and second-degree murder charges before returning a guilty verdict on first-degree murder, which includes premeditation. The case has drawn significant national attention for the last two years. Walshe's sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. EST on December 17, where he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. The conviction brings closure to a case that shocked the Massachusetts community and highlighted the importance of digital evidence in modern criminal investigations.