Cohasset, Massachusetts – A Massachusetts judge has ruled that Brian Walshe, the man accused of killing and dismembering his wife Ana Walshe, is mentally competent to stand trial—nearly two years after the 39-year-old mother vanished from her home shortly after New Year’s Day in 2023. The ruling, first detailed in PEOPLE and local Boston outlets, now clears the way for the long-awaited murder trial to begin on December 1.
Ana Walshe’s Disappearance Sparked a Multi-State Investigation
Ana Walshe, a real estate executive working in Washington, D.C., was last seen on January 1, 2023, at her Cohasset home. She was officially reported missing three days later when her employer contacted police after she failed to report to work. The disappearance triggered a massive search effort across Massachusetts.
Her husband, Brian Walshe, was soon charged with misleading investigators during the early stages of the search. He pleaded not guilty to those charges and later pleaded not guilty to murder as well.
Court Orders Mental Evaluation Before Trial
Brian Walshe’s murder trial was set to begin in October 2025. However, right before jury selection, Judge Diane Freniere ordered that he undergo a full mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital. This came after questions were raised about his competency, partially due to a reported stabbing incident inside the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Correctional Center on September 11.
Walshe suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the attack, according to the sheriff’s office, which said he was treated and returned to custody the same night. A makeshift blunt object was recovered, and the other individual involved was subdued by officers.
Judge Confirms Competency After Comprehensive Review
During an hour-long hearing on Friday, the judge announced she had received a detailed assessment from the hospital confirming Walshe is competent and able to participate in his legal proceedings. She also denied a defense request to move the trial to a new location.
His attorneys had argued that the jailhouse assault impacted his ability to fully understand or take part in his defense, but the medical evaluation contradicted that claim.
Brian Walshe’s Criminal Past Adds Further Complexity
Long before Ana’s disappearance, Brian Walshe had already been involved in serious legal trouble. In February 2024, he was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in an elaborate art fraud operation involving two paintings falsely presented as works by Andy Warhol. He was also ordered to pay $475,000 in restitution.
He previously pleaded guilty in April 2021 to wire fraud, interstate transportation for a scheme to defraud, and an unlawful monetary transaction. The multi-year investigation painted a picture of a man involved in numerous financial schemes before he was charged in his wife’s death.
Murder Trial Set to Move Forward
With the competency ruling now official, Brian Walshe is set to stand trial on December 1. Prosecutors allege he killed Ana and disposed of her remains, though her body has never been found. Police previously uncovered evidence including a bloody rug, hacksaw, and hatchet during searches tied to the investigation.
The case remains one of the most closely watched in Massachusetts, drawing significant public and media attention since Ana’s initial disappearance in early 2023.
