QUINCY, MA — A Massachusetts man charged in the 2023 death and dismemberment of his wife has pleaded guilty to lesser charges as jury selection began in his murder trial on Nov. 18.
Brian Walshe, 50, is accused of killing 39-year-old Ana Walshe, dismembering her, and disposing of the body, according to authorities. Ana Walshe, who was a mother of three children and a real estate executive, was initially reported missing by her employer and later, separately, by her husband in January 2023.
The disappearance of Ana Walshe, whose body has never been found, gripped the region and made national headlines. Prosecutors alleged that Brian Walshe searched online for ways to dispose of a body, and investigators found DNA evidence on some of Ana Walshe's personal belongings.
Last week, Brian Walshe was found competent to stand trial after he was stabbed in jail in September. His defense attorney lobbied to postpone the trial, arguing the attack left Brian Walshe mentally incompetent to stand trial.
Just before jury selection was set to begin Nov. 18 at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts, Brian Walshe changed his plea to guilty on two of the three charges against him. He did not plead guilty to murdering his wife.
