The husband of a missing Massachusetts mother has a lengthy history of legal troubles and mental health issues, according to friends and family.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, 37-year-old Ana Walshe was last seen by a family member in her Cohasset apartment between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on January 1, according to Cohasset police Chief William Quigley.
Her husband, Brian Walshe, was arrested for hindering a missing person investigation after police said he lied about his whereabouts on New Year’s Day and the day after.
Walshe was already on house arrest concerning a federal case in which he was accused of Andy Warhol paintings and selling fakes. He’s also accused of stealing millions from his deceased father, Dr. Thomas Walshe.
Court documents from a 2019 affidavit filed in the Plymouth County Probate Court indicate that Brian Walshe’s cousin, Andrew Walshe, said the defendant “absconded with almost one million dollars from Dr. Thomas Walshe in prior years.”
“The theft from his only son was tragic, not only in that it occurred, but also that Brian R Walshe essentially disappeared from his father’s life purposefully,” Andrew Walshe wrote.
Tom Pescatore, a friend of Dr. Walsh, wrote in the 2019 affidavit that he had seen “what Brian is capable of,” according to Fox News.
“I saw Brian attempt to smuggle out antiquities from China. When Brian was confronted, he picked up a stanchion and literally attempted to kill four or five guards that had come to talk to him about his crime. Brian is not only a sociopath but also a very angry and physically violent person,” Pescatore wrote.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey Ornstein, a friend of Brian Walshe’s father and the CEO of J/Brice Design International, added that the defendant was a “long-term” patient at the Austen Riggs Psychiatric Center in Stockbridge and had been “diagnosed as a “sociopath.”
According to court documents, Brian Walshe told police that she left home on January 1 to travel to Washington, D.C., where she works. Brian Walshe claimed she took an Uber or Lyft from home to the airport; however, prosecutors said there is no evidence of her leaving the home that day.
Prosecutors said Ana’s cell phone pinged in the apartment area on January 1 and 2.
Brian Walshe said he went to his mother’s home on January 1, but it took longer than he expected because he got lost. According to what he said, he stopped by a CVS and a Whole Foods store that day, but prosecutors say there is no evidence or receipts that he stopped by those stores.
He then reportedly claimed he went out to get smoothies with his sons on January 2 and didn’t leave home again, but surveillance footage shows him also going to a Home Depot store to buy $450 worth of cleaning supplies.
“He’s on surveillance at that time on Jan. 2, even though he said he never left the house, police obtained a search warrant and actually searched the house with crime scene services. During that time, they found blood in the basement,” Norfolk Assistant District Attorney Lynn Beland said.
“Blood was found in the basement area, as well as a knife, which also contained some blood.”
Quigley said Ana’s cellphone, credit card, and debit cards have not been used since New Year’s Day.
Police first said she was reported missing on January 4 by the defendant and her Washington, D.C.-based employer. In court, however, it was determined that only Ana’s employer made the initial missing persons report.
“Police were notified around Jan. 4 by her employees in Washington, D.C. that she had not shown up for work on Jan. 4. That was the first time that (police were) notified that she was missing,” Beland said.
A judge set his bail at $500,000.
The defendant was already wearing an ankle monitor in connection with a different case. Check back for updates.
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[Featured image: Ana Walshe/Police Handout]
