Ana Walshe case: Detective received ransom note after Cohasset mom disappeared, court docs say
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By Frank O'Laughlin
COHASSET, Mass. — Newly unsealed court documents related to the investigation into the murder of Ana Walshe indicate that a detective investigating her disappearance received a ransom note shortly after she was reported missing.
The detective was looking into the missing Cohasset mother’s disappearance when he got a message from a person named “Richard Walker” just three days after Walshe’s name was entered into the National Crime Information Database, according to the documents.
In the note, Walker claimed that he had Walshe with him and that no one would ever find her if he didn’t get the $120,000 that she allegedly owed him.
Investigators say they were suspicious of Walker’s message because it didn’t include a timeline to respond to the demand or any contact information.
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Brian Walshe appears in Quincy District Court in Massachusetts Brian Walshe appears at Quincy District Court on a charge of murdering his wife (inset),Ana Walshe, in Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S. on January 18, 2023. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Craig F. Walker/Pool via Reuters, Facebook)
Ana and Brian
Brian Walshe escorted into court for murder arraignment Brian Walshe escorted into court for murder arraignment
Brian Walshe mugshots from 2018 (Lynn Police Department)
Brian Walshe booking photo
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Brian Walshe appears in court for allegedly misleading police
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation The dumpsters taken away from Brian Walshe's mothers apartment. Taken to Peabody for investigation
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Brian Walshe spotted at juice bar day after wife disappears
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Authorities search North Shore dumpster station for evidence in disappearance of Ana Walshe
Ana and Brian Walshe wedding photo Brian Walshe kisses his new bride, Ana Walshe, on their wedding day. (Facebook photo) (Facebook photo)
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Ana Walshe
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Ana Walshe
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Police investigating the area near Ana Walshe's home
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Police investigating the area near Ana Walshe's home
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Police investigating Ana Walshe's home
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Police investigating outside of Ana Walshe's Cohasset home
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Police investigating Ana Walshe's home
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Ana Walshe
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Ana Walshe
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation The pool that was drained outside the Walshe home
Photos: Missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, her husband Brian Walshe who is at center of investigation Brian Walshe, the husband of Ana Walshe
Ana’s husband, Brian Walshe, is charged with her murder. Prosecutors say he dismembered her inside their Cohasset home on New Year’s Day.
Investigators say Brian used his son’s iPad to research an array of topics related to getting rid of Ana’s body. He then allegedly disposed of her remains in dumpsters in Swampscott, Abington, and Brockton.
New surveillance photos were also released that showed Brian purchasing a slew of cleaning products, five-gallon buckets, a high-tension hacksaw, a 48-pack of terrycloth towels, a framing hammer, a Tyvek suit, shoe guards, and 200 disposable rags, and mops at a Home Depot in Rockland and a Lowe’s in Danvers.
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Walshe was ultimately taken into custody after authorities executed a search warrant at his home, seized all digital devices, and uncovered blood. A bone fragment pulled from the hacksaw and blood stains found in a Volvo are being tested for Ana’s DNA, investigators said.
Brian is currently being held behind bars without bail. He is due back in court in August.