Former tenants of a Massachusetts man and the wife he allegedly murdered are speaking out for the first time about their interactions with the couple, NBC 10 Boston reports.
“He seemed perfectly normal,” Mandi Silva told the television station about 47-year-old Brian Walshe.
Mandi and her husband, Mike, were tenants of Brian and Ana Walshe and had known them for years before Ana went missing earlier this month.
Prosecutors have charged Brian, 47, with murder, illegally disinterring or moving a body, and misleading investigators in connection with his wife’s disappearance. Authorities allege that Brian beat Ana to death because he wanted to end their marriage.
The 39-year-old mother of three worked as a corporate real estate manager and was reported missing on January 4 by her employer, according to CNN.
The Silvas say they were surprised to learn about the accusations against Brian, including allegations that he searched the internet for the best ways to dismember a body, how to clean blood and whether someone can be charged without a body.
Those searches allegedly occurred on the same day Brian texted the Silvas wishing them a happy new year.
“He didn’t answer back when I replied to him. After that, it just went silent,” Mike told NBC 10.
The couple still live in a condominium that the Walshes sold just days before Brian allegedly murdered Ana.
The Silvas also said they spoke with Brian and Ana on December 27, the day prosecutors allege that Brian searched the internet for the best state to file for divorce.
“He seemed perfectly normal. It really makes you question like wow, you’re two different people,” Mandi told NBC 10. “You look back on those memories and you wonder, did I not read between the lines? Did I miss something all of this time?”
Mike told the television station that he worked for the Walshes over the years and had been in their basement where investigators allegedly located a damaged knife and blood.
The basement is not soundproof, according to Mike, and he wondered whether anyone was home during the attack.
“Were the kids there? Did they wake up between this? My mind is just going crazy,” Mike told NBC 10.
The Silvas must move out of the condo by May because of the sale. They said they are having trouble finding a new place to live.
Meanwhile, Mandi said the allegations have left so many unanswered questions.
“Did Ana see it coming? Did Ana have time to think of her kids? Did Ana beg for help and say stop? There are so many questions that only Brian can answer,” Mandi told NBC 10.
Brian has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody.
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[Featured image: Ana Walshe/Instagram]
