Brian Walshe appeared in court today after he was charged Tuesday with murdering his wife, Ana Walshe.
Walshe was read the charges and the court indicated not guilty pleas would be entered on his behalf. The defense did not contest bail, and a judge ordered him held without bail.
During the hearing, prosecutor Lynn Beland outlined the evidence that investigators have gathered so far against Walshe — including a chilling list of internet searches that she said Walshe made using his son's iPad starting on Jan. 1, the last day Ana was seen.
If you're just reading in now, here are some of the key moments from Wednesday's hearing in Walshe's case:
- A chilling list of internet searches allegedly made by Walshe: During the arraignment, Beland listed a series of online searches on how to cover up a murder that they say Walshe made from his son's iPad. For example, on Jan. 1, Beland said his searches included: "How long before a body starts to smell?" and "How to stop a body from decomposing." On Jan. 2, the prosecutor said he searched: "Hacksaw best tool to dismember." And the next day, on Jan. 3, Beland claimed Walshe's searches included: "What happens to hair on a dead body?"
- As the prosecutor listed off the searches, Walshe shook his head: Walshe remained mostly silent during Wednesday's arraignment. The only words Walshe spoke were "I do" when asked if he underst ood the charges he now faces. He appeared unfazed as Beland outlined the list of gruesome online searches, but he shook his head when she alleged he conducted searches on his son's iPad. Along with the searches in early January, Beland said there was one earlier internet search to note — on Dec. 27, the prosecutor added Walshe searched: "What's the best state to divorce?" The prosecutor said, "Rather than divorce, it is believed that Brian Walshe dismembered Ana Walshe and discarded her body."
- Law enforcement discovered 10 trash bags of evidence: Beland delved into the stunning details at arraignment on Wednesday, saying investigators discovered 10 trash bags of evidence. Among the items secured were towels, rags, slippers, tape, gloves, cleaning agents, a Covid-19 vaccination card in the name of Ana Walshe, a hacksaw and a hatchet, the prosecutor said. Investigators also discovered personal items, including a portion of a necklace consistent with one Ana had been seen wearing in photos. The prosecutor described surveillance and evidence from Brian’s phone showing he purchased items such as towels, bathmats, squeegees and a trash can at Lowe's.
- State crime lab tests found Ana's blood and DNA on some items: The Massachusetts state crime lab performed tests on items recovered from trash cans and determined human blood was present. State lab tests show that Ana and Brian’s DNA were contributors to the blood found on slippers, and a Tyvek suit – a protective near-full-body suit. Prosecutors say Ana Walshe’s DNA, as well as Brian Walshe’s DNA, were found as contributors to several blood samples tested within the garbage recovered during their expansive search of the missing woman.
- Walshe's defense attorney said the state's case isn't strong: Brian Walshe’s defense attorney called out prosecutors Wednesday for leaking evidence to the press, saying she believes their case against her client in the alleged murder of his wife is not strong. “In my experience, where, as here, the prosecution leaks so-called evidence to the press before they provide it to me, their case isn’t that strong,” Walshe's defense attorney Tracy Miner said in a statement released Wednesday.