Still Missing MA - Ana Walshe, 39, allegedly left home, may have been dismembered, Cohasset, Jan 2023 *husband indicted* #4

[Cindizzi]

Has anyone got any ideas about the hole in the ceiling? Or have I missed it.

I’m really scratching my head over the hole in the ceiling. Haven’t really heard too many theories. Some people have speculated maybe a bullet hole.. or blood spatter that couldn’t be cleaned up. ??
Or maybe BW was trying to get to the attic to hide something up there.

I thought the hole was over the bed but there’s a photo showing it by the door.

Ana was reported missing on January 4. The contractor CM was texted on January 6.

Christopher Murphy testified that he cold called Brian Walshe with a promotional offer on painting services in 2023. Brian said he didn’t need any painting services.

After this, there was 1 more phone call, and then Christopher received a text from Brian. The text starts with Brian’s address & phone number, then Brian sent photos to Christopher of the hole in the ceiling that needed repair in Brian’s bedroom in their home.

He said “Good morning, let me know about the ceiling”.

Christopher testified that he & Brian never had any other conversations about the ceiling beyond this.

Just trying to bring everything I’ve seen about here in one place.

 

[keek]

I'd say he cut that out, was going to hide whatever he figured he'd hide up there. He saved the missing piece for the painter/ceiling man to replace as if nothing was ever wrong with that part of the ceiling. Don't know if anything was found up there though by investigators but I'm SURE they looked up there very closely. IMO

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

I’m really scratching my head over the hole in the ceiling. Haven’t really heard too many theories. Some people have speculated maybe a bullet hole.. or blood spatter that couldn’t be cleaned up. ??
Or maybe BW was trying to get to the attic to hide something up there.

I thought the hole was over the bed but there’s a photo showing it by the door.

Ana was reported missing on January 4. The contractor CM was texted on January 6.

Christopher Murphy testified that he cold called Brian Walshe with a promotional offer on painting services in 2023. Brian said he didn’t need any painting services.

After this, there was 1 more phone call, and then Christopher received a text from Brian. The text starts with Brian’s address & phone number, then Brian sent photos to Christopher of the hole in the ceiling that needed repair in Brian’s bedroom in their home.

He said “Good morning, let me know about the ceiling”.

Christopher testified that he & Brian never had any other conversations about the ceiling beyond this.

Just trying to bring everything I’ve seen about here in one place.

View attachment 628939View attachment 628940View attachment 628941View attachment 628943

Thank you @Cindizzi @keek and @waldojabba ….. interesting speculation on this and all seem plausible. (And without having seen the pictures until now, I mistakenly figured that a ‘hole in the ceiling’ in a bedroom was for surreptitious video recording.)

To best figure what likely happened, need to know where the apparent ceiling drop down ladder access to the upper attic is. How far is it from this broken section? Based on that chunk of missing drywall in the ceiling, and one clean edge…….. I suspect someone was up in the attic and fell partly through the ceiling. Or dropped something heavy by accident and in the wrong place. (Due to no ‘catwalk’ or attic floor or sheathing?) I also suspect that one clean edge is simply where two sheets of dry rock seamed or met and the drywall tape tore at the seam. And odd to have placed the broken piece in a drawer. Obviously I suspect BW hoped to divert any attention from that opening. And hoped to have it repaired, quickly. Matching the apparent ‘popcorn’ ceiling without evidence of detection would not be easy IMO.

Can’t recall, but were any relevant evidentiary items located in the attic? And did BW buy any drywall repair items in his visit to the hardware store? The one where he was caught on camera, with mask, loaded with quite a bunch of ‘cleanup’ items. MOO

 

[Megnut]

Thank you @Cindizzi @keek and @waldojabba ….. interesting speculation on this and all seem plausible. (And without having seen the pictures until now, I mistakenly figured that a ‘hole in the ceiling’ in a bedroom was for surreptitious video recording.)

To best figure what likely happened, need to know where the apparent ceiling drop down ladder access to the upper attic is. How far is it from this broken section? Based on that chunk of missing drywall in the ceiling, and one clean edge…….. I suspect someone was up in the attic and fell partly through the ceiling. Or dropped something heavy by accident and in the wrong place. (Due to no ‘catwalk’ or attic floor or sheathing?) I also suspect that one clean edge is simply where two sheets of dry rock seamed or met and the drywall tape tore at the seam. And odd to have placed the broken piece in a drawer. Obviously I suspect BW hoped to divert any attention from that opening. And hoped to have it repaired, quickly. Matching the apparent ‘popcorn’ ceiling without evidence of detection would not be easy IMO.

Can’t recall, but were any relevant evidentiary items located in the attic? And did BW buy any drywall repair items in his visit to the hardware store? The one where he was caught on camera, with mask, loaded with quite a bunch of ‘cleanup’ items. MOO

Was he going to hide her body temporarily in the attic? And stepped through the bedroom ceiling by mistake????

I do think he was panicked. He needed to hide her before any children awakened.

Makes total sense to me, slipping and putting his foot through the ceiling. Punched piece would probably be a large foot sized piece. No real imperfections on either side.

Attic failed, then headed to the basement.

Jmo

 

[Megnut]

Did he ever give LE an explanation for the hole?

If it was innocent, why not?

JMO

 

[keek]

Thank you @Cindizzi @keek and @waldojabba ….. interesting speculation on this and all seem plausible. (And without having seen the pictures until now, I mistakenly figured that a ‘hole in the ceiling’ in a bedroom was for surreptitious video recording.)

To best figure what likely happened, need to know where the apparent ceiling drop down ladder access to the upper attic is. How far is it from this broken section? Based on that chunk of missing drywall in the ceiling, and one clean edge…….. I suspect someone was up in the attic and fell partly through the ceiling. Or dropped something heavy by accident and in the wrong place. (Due to no ‘catwalk’ or attic floor or sheathing?) I also suspect that one clean edge is simply where two sheets of dry rock seamed or met and the drywall tape tore at the seam. And odd to have placed the broken piece in a drawer. Obviously I suspect BW hoped to divert any attention from that opening. And hoped to have it repaired, quickly. Matching the apparent ‘popcorn’ ceiling without evidence of detection would not be easy IMO.

Can’t recall, but were any relevant evidentiary items located in the attic? And did BW buy any drywall repair items in his visit to the hardware store? The one where he was caught on camera, with mask, loaded with quite a bunch of ‘cleanup’ items. MOO

There was insulation found mixed in with some of Anna's things, forget exactly what things they were but it is in here somewhere. This adds to the what was he originally planning on doing with 'things' or some of them.

 

[Cindizzi]

There was insulation found mixed in with some of Anna's things, forget exactly what things they were but it is in here somewhere. This adds to the what was he originally planning on doing with 'things' or some of them.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1996312498480239009

 

[Serononin]

How could Brian know that Ana's cause of death would be indeterminate, allowing for a suspicious that he caused it?

It's really comes down to that.

He's no doctor. She traveled a lot. Could have been a blood clot. Could have been Covid or Legionnaires or the bird flu or a heart attack which would fully exonerate him. So you slay have to believe that Brian immediately intuited that her cause of death would be indeterminate... and then to eliminate all chance to exonerate himself from her naturally caused death, he dismembered and trashcompacted her body.

I didn't want anyone to blame me for her death so I destroyed her so no one could ever prove I didn't do it.

There is NO WAY to make that make sense.

Because it doesn't.

JMO

There's also the fact that many of the things that can cause sudden death are contagious, but AFAIK he didn't seem at all concerned about himself or the kids getting sick

 

[Eli9]

There's also the fact that many of the things that can cause sudden death are contagious, but AFAIK he didn't seem at all concerned about himself or the kids getting sick

^^
I hope the prosecution is reading here.

 

[FrankieT]

So, in all my time at WebSleuths, I can't remember a case where someone innocent chopped up and disposed of a body. Am I naive, not very read, or does this happen all the time?

 

[Eli9]

So, in all my time at WebSleuths, I can't remember a case where someone innocent chopped up and disposed of a body. Am I naive, not very read, or does this happen all the time?

Lol, not that I've seen. We should have a special title like A Websleuths First, or For The First Time on Websleuths.

 

[angelainwi]

Lol, not that I've seen. We should have a special title like A Websleuths First, or For The First Time on Websleuths.

Not a bad idea!

 

[Kemug]

read the page before this one
My post at 250 pm yesterday #1571/ Megnut at 357pm yesterday #1575
There may be others
jmo

Thanks Waldo, interesting, and excellent ideas.

 

[Eli9]

Thanks Waldo, interesting, and excellent ideas.

Watched a TT of a crime scene investigator, forensic scientist and she is just as bothered about this hole in the ceiling as we are. I'm going to list a couple of comments with their suggested possibilities -

It was a deflection on BW's part to explain why he suddenly needed equipment and tools from HD

He was planning on hiding things namely jewelry or any weapons used.

He really did step on it but why was he in the attic?

Is it the original drywall or a replacement piece?

Other's say something was thrown during a physical fight

But most in the comments seem to think there was blood spatter (I don't happen to agree)

In the end there are a ton of people, including this woman who works in CSI who are absolutely frustrated over this issue.

 

[sunfumplr]

There's also the fact that many of the things that can cause sudden death are contagious, but AFAIK he didn't seem at all concerned about himself or the kids getting sick

There's also the fact that many of the things that can cause sudden death are contagious, but AFAIK he didn't seem at all concerned about himself or the kids getting sick

Legionnaire's disease is very unique as an infectious disease because it CANNOT spread from person to person. I believe he chose legionnaire's disease because of that. That way, it explains why him or the kids did not contract it.
Edit: although, it doesn't really work as a story even with that in mind. I can't imagine he would be able to differentiate between legionnaires and the flu/other respiratory infection while she had it (if we were to believe him.) Logically, he would still be concerned about infection because of that lack of ability to differentiate.
It may also be of interest to see if there were any outbreaks of Legionnaire's before Ana's death in areas she was in. If there was, that could have given him the idea.
Edit 2: Legionnaires does happen in isolation, so I'm editing this post to reflect that. It's also unlikely that Ana would have died to legionnaire's in the first place due to her healthy condition.

 

[Eli9]

Legionnaire's disease is very unique as an infectious disease because it CANNOT spread from person to person. I believe he chose legionnaire's disease because of that. That way, it explains why him or the kids did not contract it.

True, although I would think the prosecution could poke several holes in that theory though.

How Legionella Spreads

These bacteria spread through water systems and devices.

www.cdc.gov

Most healthy people exposed to Legionella don't get sick

also symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, muscle aches, abdominal pain and more at link.

Legionnaires’ Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia you get from Legionella bacteria. Symptoms include high fever, cough, diarrhea and confusion.

my.clevelandclinic.org

Still the defense only has to suggest this as a possibility to the jury. A 'could be' moment without much more explanation. MOO

 

[sunfumplr]

True, although I would think the prosecution could poke several holes in that theory though.

How Legionella Spreads

These bacteria spread through water systems and devices.

www.cdc.gov

Most healthy people exposed to Legionella don't get sick

also symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, muscle aches, abdominal pain and more at link.

Legionnaires’ Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia you get from Legionella bacteria. Symptoms include high fever, cough, diarrhea and confusion.

my.clevelandclinic.org

Still the defense only has to suggest this as a possibility to the jury. A 'could be' moment without much more explanation. MOO

I was also going to say that she likely would not have died to legionnaire's, but it slipped my mind. I also edited my post, if you'd like to see what I added. Thank you.

 

[Eli9]

You know how a lot of lies contain a nugget of truth sometimes?
Maybe BW nudged AW not off the bed but rather down the basement stairs.

 

[BUF]

A good (long) article from 4/2023 if you haven’t read it, or would like to re-read it.

The Secret Life of Cohasset Con Man Brian Walshe

Friends thought he was a fun-loving guy. Then his wife disappeared.

www.bostonmagazine.com

 

[Niner]

Monday, Dec. 8th:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 9am ET) - MA - Ana Walshe (39) was last seen at her home in Cohasset shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2023, according to her husband. She was reported missing Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023 from her employer in Washington D.C. - *Brian Reza Walshe (47/now 50) arrested (1/8/23), charged & arraigned (1/9/23) with intimidation/ misleading police during the investigation into his wife's disappearance. Bond $5M Surety/$500K Cash. Plead not guilty (1/9/23). [See below for NEW charges]. Quincy DC in Mass Court/moved to Norfolk Superior Court
*Re-Charged (1/17/23) & arraigned (1/18/23) with murder, assault to beat Ana with intent to murder & improper transport of body. Plead not guilty. Held without bond pending indictment. Held in Norfolk County Correctional Center.
*Indicted (3/30/23), re-charged & arraigned (4/27/23) with 1st degree murder, for misleading a police investigation/ obstruction of justice [plead guilty] & for the improper conveyance of a human body [plead guilty]. Plead not guilty to all charges (4/7/23). Held without Bond.
On 11/18/25 plead guilty to intimidation/misleading police & improper conveyance [transport] of body & admitted dismembering Ana. Norfolk Superior Court
Jury Selection began on 11/18/25 & ended on 11/20/25. 16 jurors selected. [9 women & 7 men].
Jury Trial began on 12/1/25. Mondays thru Thursdays court ends at 4pm, on Fridays at 1pm.
Sentencing for the guilty pleas will be after murder trial per Judge Feniere’s ruling on 12/4/25.
Norfolk Superior Court Judge Diane Freniere presiding. Norfolk County Asst. DAs Gregory Connor & Anna Yas. Defense attorneys Larry Tipton & Kelli Porges, public defenders.
Case & court info from 1/6/23 thru 11/17/25 & Jury Selection Days 1-3 (11/18-20/25) & Trial Day 1-4 (12/1-12/4/25) reference post #1478 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...esh33are-to-airport-cohasset-4.658134/page-74
12/5/25 Friday, Trial Day 5: State witnesses: Massachusetts Trooper Connor Keefe, homicide detective with Norfolk County DA office [trained in digital forensics back on stand. Went thru text messages between Ana & Brian. Massachusetts State Trooper Heather Sullivan [retired this past summer]. Sullivan a crime scene investigator documented a dumpster & trash compactor. Prosecutors entered a pair of tin snips, hack saw, hammer, packing tape & hatchet. State's Office of Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Richard Atkinson. Dr. Atkinson is a forensic pathologist. See post #1587, page 80 for a recap of witnesses. Trial continues on Monday, 12/8/25.