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On the same day his wife was last seen alive, brian walshe went multiple Massachusetts According to prosecutors, pharmacies and hardware stores would have to purchase heavy-duty cleaning supplies, a Tyvek protective suit and a utility knife.
They took trips following early morning Internet searches, including, “How long does it take for body odor to stop?” and “Best methods of dismemberment and body disposal.” Over the next several days, he searched for how to dismember the body with a hacksaw, and did not report her missing until January 4, when his employer began searching for him and contacted the police.
Closing arguments are expected Friday in Walshe’s trial on a charge of first-degree murder. On the day jury selection was to begin, he had previously pleaded guilty to misleading police and improper disposal of a body.
Despite speculation that Walshe would testify, his lawyers rested Thursday without calling any witnesses. His lawyers have tried to raise reasonable doubt, admitting that he lied to investigators, arguing that he panicked after Ana was found dead after a New Year’s Eve gathering. With no bodies recovered, investigators have been unable to determine the cause of death.
“When he entered the bedroom and started to go to bed, he realized something was wrong,” defense attorney Larry Tipton told jurors during the first week of the trial. He described the moment Anna became unresponsive and “rolled off the bed.”
Meanwhile, prosecutors have pointed to Walshe’s subsequent actions as evidence of premeditation. Jurors were shown surveillance footage of him at stores such as CVS, Walgreens And Lowe’s is purchasing items including hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Jurors were also shown photographs of the tools that investigators said tested positive for blood, including a hacksaw and an axe.
When questioned, Walshe told police that Anna had flown from Massachusetts on New Year’s Day for an emergency assignment in Washington, D.C., although witnesses testified that there was no record of her booking the trip or boarding the flight. He did not contact her employer until January 4.
Prosecutors also linked her to items found at a waste processing facility near her mother’s home, including a hatchet, a hacksaw, towels, a Tyvek suit, cleaning agent, a Prada purse, shoes similar to the ones Ana was last seen wearing and her COVID-19 vaccination card. Investigators testified that Anna also took out a $2.7 million life-insurance policy, naming her as the beneficiary.
Friend Anna’s final weeks were described as emotionally stressful. Jem Mutlu, who spent New Year’s Eve with the couple, said they seemed “very much in love”, although she later learned that Anna and another man had exchanged messages that night.
Another friend, Alisa KirbyAnna told jurors that she was tired from traveling and stressed about her marriage. The two had recently grown closer, hanging out and going to karaoke together; When Kirby was shown his photographs, he had tears in his eyes. She testified that Anna was considering moving her family to Washington and said that Brian often questioned whether she loved him.
Kirby also mentioned two messages from Brian shortly before Anna was reported missing – one on Christmas, when he asked if she knew where Anna was, and the other on January 3: “I know we did this a week ago but have you heard from Anna?”