Brian Walshe murder case awaits DNA evidence from a dozen items
DEDHAM − Both the defense and the prosecution provided an update Monday in the case against Brian Walshe, the Cohasset man accused of murder in the death and possible dismemberment of his wife, Ana, in early 2023.
Walshe, 49, was indicted in March 2023 on the murder charge, and is also accused of misleading a police investigation/obstruction of justice and improper conveyance, or transport, of a human body. He has pleaded not guilty.
During a brief hearing at Dedham Superior Court on Monday, a prosecutor from the Norfolk County district attorney's office said DNA lab results from about a dozen items being tested should be in by the end of this month.
Walshe's defense said they expect to begin filing motions in late summer.
The judge in the case, Beverly Cannone, is also overseeing the Karen Read murder trial at the same courthouse. The final day of testimony before Tuesday's closing arguments in the Read case was paused briefly Monday so Cannone could conduct the Walshe hearing.
Walshe, who continues to be held without bail since his arrest in January 2023, had his appearance waived for the hearing Monday without explanation but is expected to attend future court dates.
Ana Walshe, a mother of three young boys, was last seen by a family member in her Cohasset home between 4 and 5 a.m. on New Year's Day. She was reported missing a few days later.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Oct. 2.
Brian Walshe thought his wife, Ana, was cheating
Prosecutors have said Walshe discarded trash into a dumpster at the Swampscott apartment complex where his mother lives.
Ten bags tossed in Swampscott were recovered by police and taken to Peabody, where they were searched. The bags contained rugs, cleaning products, the boots Ana Walshe was last seen wearing, a hacksaw, her Prada purse, a piece of a necklace she has been pictured wearing, towels and a COVID-19 vaccine card in her name.
In addition to finding blood in the bags, investigators also said they found blood in the basement, a bloody knife and tarps.
They also said Brian Walshe searched online for things like "How long before a body starts to smell?" "Can you throw away body parts?" and "10 ways to dispose of a dead body if you really need to" on Jan. 1, 2023, the last day his wife was seen.
Prosecutors said evidence that Walshe suspected his wife, who often traveled to Washington, D.C., for her job, was having an affair is a potential motive in the case. In the batch of his Google searches, Walshe also had typed "Best state to file a divorce for a man."
Walshe lost his private attorney in December 2023 because he could no longer afford her services. He has since been appointed a public defender.
Walshe convicted in Andy Warhol art fraud scheme
Walshe was convicted in a separate case for selling fake Andy Warhol paintings to a buyer on eBay in 2016.
Walshe was sentenced in federal court this past February to 37 months in prison. He was ordered to pay restitution of $475,000. In April 2021, Walshe pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud, interstate transportation for a scheme to defraud and unlawful monetary transaction.
David R. Smith covers breaking, trending and restaurant news for The Patriot Ledger. He can be reached at Drsmith@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Prosecutors expect DNA test results soon in Brian Walshe murder case
