Gory internet searches highlighted in Brian Walshe's murder trial. Here are the key points from Day 2.

Jurors in the trial of Brian Walshe were presented on Tuesday with digital evidence showing numerous internet searches retrieved from his laptop. Prosecutors argue these searches demonstrate that Walshe researched ways to dispose of a body and clean bloodstains around the time his wife went missing. Walshes defense claims he discovered Ana Walshe deceased on New Years Day 2023 and panicked, leading to the disturbing searches in the immediate aftermath.

The jury in Dedham, Massachusetts, also listened to a law enforcement interview conducted the day before Walshes arrest. In the recording, he insisted he loved his wife and would never harm her. Court exhibits further showed items belonging to Ana Walshe recovered from a dumpster, which prosecutors say were discarded by Walshe in an attempt to conceal evidence.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Walshe faces life imprisonment without parole. Key points from the second day of testimony include:

Walshes Online Activity

Following Anas disappearance on January 4, 2023, Walshe voluntarily handed over his phone and his sons tablets. On one of the tablets, investigators found searches regarding disposing of a body, cleaning blood, and erasing digital evidence. These searches were traced back to Walshes laptop, linked through a shared Apple account.

During questioning on January 8, Walshe claimed, I dont use that iPad, so thats really weird. The court heard that on January 1, 2023, his laptop recorded searches including:

• 4:52 a.m.: Best way to dispose of a body
• 4:55 a.m.: How long before a body starts to smell
• 9:35 a.m.: Can identification be made on partial human remains
• 9:59 a.m.: How to dispose of a cell phone
• 10:29 a.m.: My wife is missing, what should I do
• 11:30 a.m.: Patrick Kearney, a notorious serial killer
• 11:50 a.m.: Using bleach to clean blood from wood floors

Additional searches occurred on January 2 and 3, covering topics like removing a hard drive from a laptop, dismemberment, and body disposal.

Walshe contacted his wifes workplace on January 4, prompting a missing person search. No further searches were logged on his laptop until January 7.

Defense Statements and Context

Defense attorney Larry Tipton emphasized that no similar dark searches appeared on Walshes devices before January 1. Tipton also noted that some internet history, including searches on cheating wife content, could have been accessed inadvertently by another user. The couple had discussed divorce to protect assets during Walshes ongoing federal fraud case involving forged art.

Walshes Interview

During an interview on January 7, Walshe told investigators he would never harm his wife and described the family as dependent on her presence. He expressed love for his wife and children and said he could not imagine harming her.

Ana Walshes Belongings Found in Dumpster

Though Anas body remains missing, police testimony confirmed that investigators recovered her personal items from dumpsters near Walshes mothers apartment on January 9. Photos submitted in court included a pair of boots, a purse, a black coat, and her Covid-19 vaccination card. Prosecutors maintain these items were intentionally discarded by Walshe to hide evidence.

Author: Sophia Brooks