Brian Walshe Faces Murder Charge In Case Of Missing Wife: DA

COHASSET, MA — Brian Walshe, the man who was arrested after being accused of misleading police into the investigation of his missing wife Ana Walshe, is now facing a murder charge, the Norfolk District Attorney announced Tuesday.

The murder warrant was issued from the Quincy District Court Tuesday and Brian Walshe, 47, might be arraigned as soon as Wednesday, the district attorney said.

Ana Walshe, a 39-year-old mother of three who works in property management, was last seen at her home shortly after midnight on New Year's Day.

Prosecutors previously said that a bloody knife was found in the basement of the home that Ana Walshe shared with Brian Walshe, who bought $450 worth of cleaning supplies before she was reported missing, according to The Boston Globe.

Brian Walshe pleaded not guilty after he was arrested and arraigned earlier this month on a charge of misleading police who were investigating the disappearance of his wife, officials said.

Walshe "provided statements relative to his movements and activities after his wife's disappearance that were not substantiated by investigation," which included purchasing a tarp and cleaning supplies, the District Attorney's Office said.

SEE ALSO:

• Docs Reveal 'Manipulative' But 'Likable' Brian Walshe's Criminal Past
• Missing MA Woman's Husband Has Troubling Search History: Reports
• Bloody Knife Found In Home Of Missing Cohasset Woman: Prosecutors
• Police Seek Tips On Cohasset Mother Missing Since New Year's Day

Since his arrest, numerous reports have said that a disturbing internet search history was discovered on devices belonging to Brian Walshe. A source told NBC Boston the searches were related to murder. While the news outlet's report did not specify the exact subject of the searches, two law enforcement sources told CNN the record showed searches related to dismembering a body.

The discovery of the search history was one piece of information that led investigators to fear 39-year-old Ana Walshe was dead, CNN previously reported.

Investigators searched the trash of a transfer station in Peabody on the night of Jan. 9 for remains and crime scene tape was also placed around dumpsters in an apartment complex near Brian Walshe's mother's home in Swampscott, CNN reported, citing sources. According to a criminal complaint affidavit filed in support of the misleading police charge, Brian Walshe told police he went to visit his mother Jan. 1, the same day he told police he last saw his wife.

Brian Walshe is currently on probation for wire fraud, and as a result, must request leave from his home each week and specify the time and reason for each trip, according to the affidavit.

Court documents from a 2021 art fraud case involving Walshe characterize him as a "likable" but "manipulative" con artist with a "pattern of lies, deceit, and fraud."

According to a document from the United States District Court of Massachusetts, beginning in 2011, Brian Walshe orchestrated a multi-year, multi-faceted scheme to defraud multiple people who had an interest in paintings by iconic American artist Andy Warhol.

Calling the crimes “devious, complicated, and planned,” the government noted that Walshe betrayed friends and destroyed relationships for his own gain.

“Walshe committed this crime over many years, from 2011 to 2016,” the government wrote. “He traveled to multiple countries. He enlisted multiple artists to prepare fake paintings, with multiple lies … he manipulated and stole from people who trusted him, welcomed him into their homes, and considered him a close friend. He crafted complicated stories and lies about the paintings to make the fraudulent sales believable.”

According to authorities, it was Walshe's tendency to deceive that led to his arrest for misleading investigators in the case of his wife's disappearance.

On Jan. 1, Walshe told investigators that he went to CVS and Whole Foods to run errands for his mother—who had just undergone cataract surgery—though investigators say that surveillance footage reveals those trips did not occur, according to the affidavit for his arrest.

The affidavit said Walshe broke the terms of his probation by leaving his home and traveling to multiple towns without prior approval after his wife went missing, including making a cash purchase at Home Depot on Jan. 2 while wearing a surgical mask and surgical gloves during the time that was allotted for his kids' pick up from school.

At Walshe's arraignment for the misleading police charge, the judge imposed a $500,000 cash bail and ordered Walshe to return to the Quincy District Court on Feb. 9.

Patch reached out to an attorney representing Brian Walshe, after which an assistant working for the attorney said she is "not commenting on the case or giving press statements or interviews" and that "her focus is on defending Mr. Walshe in court."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.