The Massachusetts jury hearing the case against Brian Walshe viewed a series of photos Wednesday showing items covered in what appeared to be blood, as prosecutors continued building their argument that he murdered his wife around New Year’s 2023.
The evidence presentation marked the third day of witness testimony in Walshe’s murder trial. Prosecutors also called multiple witnesses to establish that Ana Walshe never traveled after returning home to Massachusetts from Washington, DC — despite Brian Walshe’s initial claim that she left early on January 1, 2023.
Meanwhile, the defense focused on undermining any suggestion that more than $1 million in life insurance policies Ana Walshe purchased could have motivated her husband to kill her.
Walshe has already pleaded guilty to misleading police and improperly disposing of his wife’s body. He continues to insist he did not kill the corporate real estate manager and mother of three. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.
The trial in Dedham, Massachusetts, resumes Thursday. Prosecutors plan to call key witnesses later this week, including the man Ana Walshe was having an affair with.
Here are the major takeaways from Day 3:
Jurors Shown Photos of Evidence Covered in Possible Blood
A forensic scientist from the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory guided jurors through photos of evidence pulled from dumpsters near the apartment complex where Brian Walshe’s mother lived.
Prosecutors say Walshe discarded several bags there to hide evidence, including items they previously said belonged to Ana Walshe — such as Hunter boots and her Covid-19 vaccination card.
Jurors saw images of items recovered in the January 9, 2023, dumpster search. Prosecutors brought several evidence bags into court, and forensic scientist Davis Gould confirmed the contents without opening them.
Judge Diane Freniere told jurors they will have access to the physical evidence during deliberations.
Photos showed items with “red-brown stains,” including:
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A black jacket
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White towels
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A white robe
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Gray slippers with similar stains and a clump of apparent hair
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A hatchet and a hacksaw recovered from the trash
Prosecutors did not directly link these items to Brian or Ana Walshe during Wednesday’s testimony, though they have previously stated investigators found blood and the couple’s DNA on items from the dumpsters. Prosecutors are expected to make that connection explicit later.
Gould also said he tested areas of Walshe’s Volvo for blood, though he did not testify about the results. Prosecutors have previously said Ana’s blood was found inside the vehicle.
Witnesses Confirm Ana Walshe Did Not Travel After January 1
Prosecutors called several records custodians whose testimony supported their claim that Ana Walshe never left the family home after January 1, 2023 — the last day she was seen alive.
Brian Walshe initially told police she left early that morning for Washington, DC, to address a work emergency, using a taxi or rideshare app as usual. At trial, the defense admitted that story was false, claiming instead that Brian found his wife dead in bed.
Testimony showed:
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Uber and Lyft records confirmed Ana did not use either service between December 30, 2022, and January 8, 2023.
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A JetBlue witness said Ana was a “no show” for flights she had booked for January 3 (Boston to DC) and January 13 (DC to Boston).
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A US Customs and Border Patrol representative confirmed there were no border records for her after returning from a trip abroad in early December 2022.
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A Massachusetts state trooper testified that Ana’s townhome in DC looked “neat and tidy” on January 7 and showed no signs she had recently been there.
Ana Walshe Took Out Over $1 Million in Life Insurance After Her Husband Was Denied
Jurors also heard from an insurance agent who sold Ana Walshe a $1 million term life policy and a $250,000 whole life policy in 2021.
Under direct questioning, the agent confirmed Brian Walshe was the beneficiary of both policies. The couple also had whole life policies for their three children, with Ana as the sole beneficiary.
Ana underwent a health assessment — receiving the highest rating — and completed blood and urine tests.
The defense, however, pushed back on the idea that these policies suggested a motive. The insurance agent acknowledged:
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It is common for spouses to list each other as beneficiaries when they have young children.
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Before Ana purchased her policies, Brian tried to buy life insurance on himself but was repeatedly denied because of a pending federal case involving forged Andy Warhol artwork.
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It was likely his recommendation that Ana apply instead.
The agent also testified he was unaware of any follow-up screenings or evaluations related to her health after she bought the policies.