Defense lawyers for accused killer Brian Walshe claimed Monday that he “panicked” when he found his wife, Ana Walshe, dead in 2023, but prosecutors argued that evidence points to murder.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Brian Walshe is facing a first-degree murder charge, in connection with Ana’s 2023 death. She was last seen January 1, 2023, following a dinner party in Cohasset, Massachusetts.
Her body has never been found.
“We will prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the premeditated murder of his wife Ana Walshe,” Assistant District Attorney Gregory P. Connor said during opening statements Monday, at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Court TV reports.
Connor added that evidence will provide details on how the defendant searched the internet on how to dispose of a body before racking up $400 in cleaning supplies at several stores.
The prosecution also stated Ana Walshe had taken out a $2.7 million life insurance policy, with the defendant named as the sole beneficiary.
Walshe’s attorney, Larry Tipton, however, argued that Ana Walshe had a “sudden unexplained death,” and that he “panicked” and hid her body to protect their three children.
“When he entered the bedroom and began to get into bed, he sensed something was wrong. You will hear evidence that it made no sense to him,” Tipton told the jury.
“He nudged Ana, his wife. She didn’t respond. He nudged her again a little harder. She didn’t respond. He nudged her now in a panicked and frantic reaction to where she actually rolled off the bed.”
“What would happen to their three boys now that Ana is no longer here? What will happen if they think he did something bad to Ana? Where will those three boys go?”
Last month, Walshe admitted that he had dismembered Ana’s body and disposed of the remains in dumpsters, which were subsequently incinerated.
On January 9, 2023, investigators found numerous items from a trash compactor and a dumpster with both the defendant and victim’s DNA on them, including:
- A hatchet
- A hacksaw
- A hammer
- Rugs
- Sheets
Judge Diane Freniere has dismissed the jury for the day. Testimony will resume tomorrow.
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to a previous episode on the case below.
[Feature Photo: Ana Walshe/Instagram]
