Judge rejects request to suppress Google search information from Cohasset man who allegedly killed, dismembered wife

Boston Globe

3 days ago

Walshe pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, disinterring a body, and lying to investigators in connection with the Jan. 1, 2023 slaying of his wife,
On New Year's Eve 2022, the couple hosted Ana Walshe's former employer at their house, who left around 1:30 a.m., officials have said.
Advertisement
The guest told investigators he had dinner with the couple and they shared champagne and wine, according to an affidavit. Brian and Ana Walshe were in a good mood and everyone enjoyed themselves, the guest said.
By 4:50 a.m., authorities allege, Ana Walshe, 39, was dead, and the disturbing Google searches started.
They included 'how to embalm a body,' '10 ways to dispose of a dead body if you really need to,' 'how to stop a body from decomposing,' and 'how long before a body starts to smell.' They were made between 4:55 a.m. and 5:47 a.m. on New Year's Day, prosecutors said.
In court papers last month, Walshe's lawyers said he and his prior counsel, Tracy Miner, had reached an agreement on Jan. 6, 2023, allowing authorities to conduct 'a limited search' of Walshe's iPhone and his son's iPad.
Advertisement
Walshe's consent was necessary at the time because State Police hadn't obtained a warrant for the devices. Walshe's lawyers said the agreement covered 'all communications' between Dec. 25, 2022, and Jan. 6, 2023, the date the electronics were turned over. The sole exception was for communications between Walshe and his lawyer, the filing said.
According to the memo, State Police began a forensic search of the devices on the night of Jan. 6, 2023, and continued into the early hours of Jan. 7.
An investigator who conducted the work alerted colleagues on the evening of Jan. 7 to the Internet searches in question, which were later referenced in an affidavit for a search warrant, records show.
But before a warrant was
issued, the filing said, 'police willingly and knowingly violated the agreement by exceeding the agreed-upon scope by downloading and searching the entire content of' Walshe's phone, his son's laptop, and a third laptop with a cracked screen that he turned over.
Prosecutors in court papers last month had urged a denial of Walshe's supression motion, arguing that 'discovery of the internet searches and location data from the iPhone and iPad was certain as a practical matter.'
Over several days, prosecutors allege, Walshe dismembered his wife's body in the basement and discarded her clothes and other evidence in a dumpster at a liquor store near his mother's home in Swampscott. He also allegedly disposed her remains in dumpsters at apartment complexes in Abington and Brockton.
Police also allegedly found blood in the basement of the couple's home.
Advertisement
Seven days after Ana Walshe's disappearance, police searched the dumpster near the home of Brian Walshe's mother. Inside, they found a COVID vaccination card for Ana Walshe, a Hermes watch, and clothing Ana Walshe was known to wear, according to prosecutors. Forensic testing showed her DNA on items found in the dumpster, prosecutors said.
While Brian Walshe failed in his bid to get the Google searches suppressed, he did succeed in getting additional evidence tossed.
On Friday, Freniere granted Walshe's request to suppress evidence gleaned from separate search warrants related to a 'GPS install on a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle' with Mass. plates, as well as 'Verizon Records of Cell Phone Number 617-939-8646 insofar it authorized ... location data obtained for December 30, 2022 and December 31, 2022,' records show.
Walshe is currently held without bail, and his trial is scheduled to begin in October, records show.
Travis Andersen can be reached at