Latest news with #AnaWalshe
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Murder suspect Brian Walshe wants Google searches on body disposal barred as trial evidence
Brian Walshe, a man charged with killing and dismembering his wife in Cohasset, wants to bar evidence of Google searches about the 'best ways to dispose of a body' at his trial on the basis that investigators did not use a search warrant to obtain it, according to court filings. Investigators found the Google searches on his son's iPad, but his lawyers argue that they obtained this evidence improperly and without his consent. In the initial days of the police investigation, when Brian Walshe's wife — 39-year-old Ana Walshe — was merely a missing person, he agreed to let law enforcement review his family's electronic devices for messages, according to court filings. He did not consent to allowing police access to internet search histories on the devices, his lawyers argue. Walshe's attorneys now assert the Google searches and any subsequent searches, including some with warrants, were 'fruits of the illegal and unauthorized searches,' and are impermissible in court. In Norfolk County Superior Court on Monday, prosecutors countered that since Ana Walshe was a missing person at the time and her husband turned over the devices voluntarily, the evidence was obtained properly, the Boston Globe reported. Ana Walshe's body has never been recovered, but prosecutors allege that DNA evidence suggests her husband dismembered and disposed of it in dumpsters across Massachusetts during the first few days of January 2023. Walshe has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, disinterring of a body and witness intimidation in connection with the death of his wife on New Year's Day 2023. He is being held without bail. The internet searches, which were made between Jan. 1 and 3, 2023, include questions such as 'How long before a body starts to smell,' 'How long for someone to be missing to inherit,' 'Can you be charged with murder without a body,' 'Can identification be made on partial remains' and 'How to clean blood from wooden floor.' Walshe's lawyers wrote in new court filings that detectives violated his constitutional rights by obtaining this evidence improperly. The defense team also questions the validity of the subsequent search warrants investigators used to obtain evidence against Walshe. One was prepared by disgraced former state police Trooper Michael Proctor, who was the lead investigator in the Karen Read murder case. It is unclear when Norfolk Superior Court Judge Diane Freniere, who is presiding over the case, will rule on this issue. Trial hearings are set to take place over the course of two days this week. Ana Walshe was a mother of three and a real estate executive who split her time between Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. She was reported missing by coworkers on Jan. 4, 2023, beginning a multi-week search for her by authorities that resulted in her husband being charged with her murder. Ana and Brian Walshe hosted one of her former employees on New Year's Eve 2022, but the guest left the couple's Cohasset home around 1:30 a.m. Prosecutors allege that by 4:50 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2023, Brian Walshe had killed his wife and become the sole beneficiary of her $2.7 million life insurance policy. Prosecutors turn over 100+ pages of Trooper Proctor's notes to Brian Walshe Brian Walshe to hire experts in DNA testing, cellular devices as murder trial nears 'Nothing gets better with time': Judge overseeing Brian Walshe case sets 2025 trial Landlord sues Brian Walshe's mother for damage to property from wife Ana's killing Read the original article on MassLive.
Boston Globe
19-05-2025
- Boston Globe
Brian Walshe, accused of killing and dismembering wife in Cohasset, seeks to have Internet searches suppressed
Advertisement The defense is questioning the validity of seven search warrants, In court papers, the defense said Walshe and his then-attorney, Tracey Miner, shared electronic devices with investigators but on the condition that the forensic inquiry be limited to to communications since Dec. 25, 2022 — not Internet searches. Advertisement The defense argues that State Police failed to adhere to the agreement, improperly discovering the alleged Internet searches and violating Walshe's constitutional rights. Walshe's lawyers also contend that police then used the illegal information to collect more forensic evidence from the family home, a car, and other locations that should not be used against him. 'The searches conducted between January 6th and January 8, 2023, were without a warrant, without voluntary consent or were conducted outside the scope of any consent,' defense lawyers wrote in court documents. 'The searches conducted thereafter, whether by warrant or otherwise, were tainted from the illegal and unauthorized searches of the devices and were fruits of the illegal and unauthorized searches,' they wrote. But prosecutors from Morrissey's office said police acted properly because Walshe voluntarily gave them the devices after consulting with his attorney. 'When police first went to the defendant's home, there was no evidence of a murder; police were there because Ana's employer reported that she was missing,' prosecutors wrote. 'Attorney Miner ended the interview when it became apparent that the searches suggested a crime.' The defense is raising its contentions before Superior Court Judge Diane Freniere, who has been specially assigned to handle the trial. Freniere will preside over two days of hearings this week. Walshe has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder, disinterring a body, and misleading police. He is being held without bail. On New Year's Eve 2022, the couple had hosted one of Ana Walshe's former employees, who left their Cohasset home around 1:30 a.m., according to prosecutors. Advertisement By 4:50 a.m., authorities allege, Ana Walshe was dead and her husband allegedly used his son's iPad to conduct the Internet searches. Prosecutors say Brian Walshe was the sole beneficiary of a $2.7 million life insurance policy his wife had taken out. Ana Walshe's body has not been found, but authorities allege they have recovered DNA evidence showing where Brian Walshe dropped the remains into dumpsters. Information from earlier Globe reporting was used in this account. John R. Ellement can be reached at
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Pre-trial hearing held for Brian Walshe, Cohasset man accused of murdering and dismembering his wife
The Cohasset man accused of dismembering his wife, Ana Walshe, with a hacksaw and disposing of her remains after using his son's iPad to Google the best ways to get rid of a body, was back in court Thursday for a pre-trial hearing. Judge denies Brian Walshe's lawyers access to Michael Proctor's phone records It was a continuation of last month's hearing where issues came up regarding Massachusetts State Police Investigator Michael Proctor and DNA evidence. Brian Walshe, who prosecutors say killed his 39-year-old wife and misled investigators about her disappearance in early 2023, is slated to make an appearance in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn. Boston 25 News will stream the hearing live. In March 2023, a Norfolk County grand jury indicted Walshe on a charge of murder, misleading a police investigation/obstruction of justice, and improper conveyance of a human body in connection with his wife's death. Ana Walshe, a mother of three young children and a real estate professional who worked in Washington D.C. vanished on New Year's Day 2023 and was reported missing a few days later, authorities said. Prosecutors have alleged that Walshe killed his wife in their Cohasset home on New Year's Day. The couple's three young boys were reportedly home at the time. Days after Ana's disappearance, a hacksaw and a blood-soaked rug believed to contain biological evidence were recovered from their home by investigators. Police later searched trash bins, dumpsters, trash trucks, and trash facilities in the areas where Brian Walshe traveled following her disappearance. Prosecutors have also previously said that a broken knife with blood on it was found in the basement of the Walshe family home. The Norfolk District Attorney's Office previously said that it was awaiting DNA test results from dozens of items. In late June, Walshe had a court appearance waived. At that time, prosecutors said during a brief hearing in Dedham Superior Court that DNA results were expected by the end of the month, the Patriot Ledger reported. In September, prosecutors announced that they won't call a suspended Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctor to testify in Walshe's upcoming trial. Proctor was the lead investigator assigned to Ana Walshe's murder. State police suspended Proctor in July following Karen Read's mistrial. While testifying during Read's trial, Proctor received criticism for inappropriate texts he sent about Read. Walshe has been held without bail since his arrest. In December 2024, a judge set his trial date for Oct. 20, 2025. Ana's body has never been found. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Brian Walshe, Cohasset man accused of murdering and dismembering his wife, due back in court
The Cohasset man accused of dismembering his wife, Ana Walshe, with a hacksaw and disposing of her remains after using his son's iPad to Google the best ways to get rid of a body, is due back in court Thursday for pre-trial hearing. Judge denies Brian Walshe's lawyers access to Michael Proctor's phone records Brian Walshe, who prosecutors say killed his 39-year-old wife and misled investigators about her disappearance in early 2023, is slated to make an apperance in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn. Boston 25 News will stream the hearing live. In March 2023, a Norfolk County grand jury indicted Walshe on a charge of murder, misleading a police investigation/obstruction of justice, and improper conveyance of a human body in connection with his wife's death. Ana Walshe, a mother of three young children and a real estate professional who worked in Washington D.C. vanished on New Year's Day 2023 and was reported missing a few days later, authorities said. Prosecutors have alleged that Walshe killed his wife in their Cohasset home on New Year's Day. The couple's three young boys were reportedly home at the time. Days after Ana's disappearance, a hacksaw and a blood-soaked rug believed to contain biological evidence were recovered from their home by investigators. Police later searched trash bins, dumpsters, trash trucks, and trash facilities in the areas where Brian Walshe traveled following her disappearance. Prosecutors have also previously said that a broken knife with blood on it was found in the basement of the Walshe family home. The Norfolk District Attorney's Office previously said that it was awaiting DNA test results from dozens of items. In late June, Walshe had a court appearance waived. At that time, prosecutors said during a brief hearing in Dedham Superior Court that DNA results were expected by the end of the month, the Patriot Ledger reported. In September, prosecutors announced that they won't call a suspended Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctor to testify in Walshe's upcoming trial. Proctor was the lead investigator assigned to Ana Walshe's murder. State police suspended Proctor in July following Karen Read's mistrial. While testifying during Read's trial, Proctor received criticism for inappropriate texts he sent about Read. Walshe has been held without bail since his arrest. In December 2024, a judge set his trial date for Oct. 20, 2025. Ana's body has never been found. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
