This is the full trial report of the Day 4 of 9 of the true crime murder trial of Brian Walshe, accused of murdering his missing wife Ana Walshe, designed to catch you up with the nucleus of the case efficiently!
Case Info
Case background:
The case of Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. Brian Walshe centers on the disappearance and presumed murder of Ana Walshe, a successful real-estate executive who vanished on New Years Day 2023. Ana had recently secured a high-paying job in Washington, D.C., commuting between Massachusetts and D.C. while planning for her family to eventually join her. According to prosecutors, tensions in the marriage were escalating as Ana grew more independent and Brian faced mounting legal and financial pressure, including a prior federal fraud conviction that carried the possibility of prison time.
Ana was last seen on 1st January, 2023, and was reported missing several days later. The Commonwealth alleges that Brian Walshe was the last person to see Ana alive and that, in the days surrounding her disappearance, he conducted internet searches related to divorce law, body disposal, and forensic cleanup. Prosecutors argue the killing was premeditated, motivated by fear of losing his children, finances, and control over his life. The defense counters that Ana’s death was accidental and that Brian’s actions afterward were driven by panic, not planning.
According to criminal complaint:
Count 1: 1st Degree Murder – Guilty (Decided on 15th December 2025), (Jury Deliberation time: 5 hours 51 minutes approx.)
Count 2: Misleading the police – Pled Guilty
Count 3: Improper conveyance of a body – Pled Guilty
Victim: Ana Walshe (Deceased) – Remains were not recovered
Date Of Incident: 1 January 2023
Incident Reported: 5 January 2023
Courthouse: Norfolk County, Dedham, Massachusetts
Officers of the court
Judge: Diane Freniere
Attorneys:
Prosecution: ADA Greg Conner, ADA Anne Yas, ADA Tracy Cusack
Defence: Kelly Porges, Larry Tipton (Joined December 2023)
Former attorney(s): Tracy Miner
Legend:
ADA = Assistant District Attorney
MA vs. Brian Walshe – Day 4 Trial Summary
Day 4 focused on locking in Ana Walshe’s future intent, routine, and last-known normality, while transitioning decisively into Brian Walshe’s post-disappearance conduct and digital footprint. The State used civilian witnesses to rebut voluntary disappearance, then introduced forensic cell-phone evidence that begins to structurally map movement, concealment, and consciousness of guilt. By the end of the day, the narrative pivoted from “Was Ana planning to leave?” to “What did Brian do once she stopped communicating?”
Witness-by-Witness Summaries
Witness #14 — William Fastow – Realtor / Romantic Partner
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
Ana Walshe’s romantic partner and confidant.
Central rebuttal witness to voluntary disappearance.
Links Ana’s future plans to Brian’s post-disappearance conduct.
Summary Of Testimony
Fastow testified that Ana was engaged in a committed relationship, actively planning travel, holidays, and long-term life decisions. He described ongoing marital conflict driven by Brian’s legal issues and finances. After Ana stopped responding, Brian contacted Fastow directly, prompting Fastow to check the Cohasset home and discover Ana’s car missing. His testimony established Ana’s active life trajectory and undermined any theory of voluntary disappearance.
Key evidence introduced!
Oral testimony detailing:
- Serious romantic relationship.
- Travel and future plans extending into 2023.
- Marital and financial strain between Ana and Brian.
- Brian’s voicemail to Fastow after Ana vanished.
- Photos, texts, and communications corroborating future intent.
Witness #15 — Christopher Murphy – Painter
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
Contacted by Brian shortly after Ana’s disappearance.
Summary Of Testimony
Murphy testified that Brian contacted him for home repairs days after Ana went missing, demonstrating routine household management during the critical post-disappearance window.
Key evidence introduced!
Brian requested ceiling work on 6 January 2023.
Witness #16 — Suzanne Garland – Custodian of Records — The Bar Method
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
Record-keeper confirming Ana’s routine and future planning.
Summary Of Testimony
Garland confirmed Ana attended classes multiple times weekly and adjusted her membership in anticipation of being more present in January 2023 due to a new DC job. Emails dated 30 December 2022 confirmed future planning inconsistent with disappearance.
Key evidence introduced!
- Business records and emails.
- Oral testimony regarding attendance frequency and membership changes.
Witness #17 — Ashley Cimmino – Fitness Instructor
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
Long-term observer of Ana’s physical condition.
Summary Of Testimony
Cimmino testified that Ana had been physically strong and highly active for over a decade, attending classes frequently. Her testimony reinforced that Ana was healthy, capable, and unlikely to vanish or become incapacitated unexpectedly.
Key evidence introduced!
- Oral testimony describing Ana’s physical capability and consistency.
Witness #18 — Janet Cotter – Civilian Witness
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
Independent last-known-normal witness.
Summary Of Testimony
Cotter testified that she spoke with Ana in person on New Year’s Eve, describing her as warm, social, and making specific plans for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, including dinner with her husband. This placed Ana alive and socially engaged immediately before her disappearance.
Key evidence introduced!
- Oral testimony recounting a New Year’s Eve interaction and plans to go out to a restaurant with her husband.
Witness #19 — Judy Basler – Director at KinderCare
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
Observed Brian’s behavior immediately after Ana vanished.
Summary Of Testimony
Basler testified that Brian had discussed moving the children to DC and that when he dropped them off on January 3–4, his demeanor was rushed and uncharacteristically different. Her testimony advanced the post-disappearance timeline and highlighted behavioral change.
Key evidence introduced!
- Oral testimony regarding demeanor and childcare logistics.
Witness #20 — Sandra Waldrup – General Manager at Claremont Apartments
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
Provided context for surveillance and dumpster access.
Summary Of Testimony
Waldrup testified that surveillance captured a Volvo at the complex on January 3 and that dumpsters were not accessible to the public, reinforcing the State’s disposal theory and supporting other surveillance and movement evidence.
Key evidence introduced!
Oral testimony regarding:
- Surveillance cameras.
- Restricted dumpster access.
- Regular trash collection schedule.
Witness #21 — Connor Keefe – Digital Forensics Examiner — MSP
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case
Primary architect of producing Brian’s digital timeline.
Summary Of Testimony
Keefe testified that Ana’s phone activity ceased early January 4, while Brian’s phone showed extensive movement to hardware stores, dumpsters, and his mother’s residence. Search history included missing-person queries and references to Ana and Fastow. His testimony established a data-driven timeline suggesting concealment and escalating post-disappearance activity. Testimony continued into Day 5.
Key evidence introduced!
- Cell-tower pings and GPS estimates.
- Communications between Brian and Ana on from 25th December 2022 to 4th January 2023, Browser searches/ Web history from 25th December 2022 to 4th January 2023, GPS location data from 1st January 2023 to 4th January 2023
- Evidence of phone use linked to Brian and his mother.
Full report below!
Note on Structure
This report’s numbering system is for reference only. Repeated numbering reflects factual reaffirmation across testimony, not emphasis or conclusions. Interpretation and analysis are intentionally kept separate from the evidentiary record.
Heinz Report – MA vs. Brian Walshe (2025)
Sources:
Affidavit in support of Criminal Complaint, Available Online: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23567889-brian-walshe-affidavit-in-support-of-criminal-complaint/
Brian Walshe , The Trial Channel Youtube Channel, Playlist, Available online: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLq-6my_qlf9GpAVBB4bpTtRRWzcD9a-c&si=zm7qTHxa227m1Md0
