Brian Walshe, the Massachusetts man accused of murdering and dismembering his wife, Ana Walshe, has pleaded guilty to two lesser charges as his high-profile murder trial moves ahead. Appearing in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham on Tuesday, Walshe admitted to misleading police and unlawful disposal of a body, but continues to maintain his innocence on the murder charge.
Judge Diane Freniere accepted the plea change after asking Walshe a series of questions in court. When asked directly whether he removed his wife’s body from their home, Walshe replied, “Yes, your honor.” Despite those admissions, he pleaded not guilty to murder and will still stand trial on that charge.
The plea shift came just as jury selection began for the closely watched case. Walshe was recently deemed competent to stand trial, clearing the way for proceedings to continue. His request to move the trial out of Norfolk County, citing concerns over finding an impartial jury, was denied last week.
Ana Walshe, a mother of three and a Washington, D.C.–based real estate executive, vanished on New Year’s Day 2023. Her body has never been found. Prosecutors allege that brian walshe killed Ana inside their Cohasset home, dismembered her using a hacksaw, and disposed of her remains at several locations across Massachusetts.
Investigators uncovered key evidence in the weeks after her disappearance, including a blood-soaked rug, a broken knife with blood, and a hacksaw believed to contain biological material. Police also tracked searches allegedly made from Walshe’s son’s iPad, including queries about how to dispose of a body.
Walshe was indicted in March 2023 on charges of murder, misleading investigators, and improper conveyance of a human body. He has been held without bail since his arrest and is currently serving a separate three-year sentence for selling fake Andy Warhol artwork.
Opening statements in the brian walshe murder trial are scheduled to begin on December 1, with testimony expected to last up to three weeks. The case continues to draw national attention as prosecutors prepare to outline their evidence before a jury for the first time.
