COHASSET – COHASSET – The husband of missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe has been arrested for misleading the investigation. The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office announced the arrest of 46-year-old Brian Walshe on Sunday evening.
Brian Walshe is expected to appear in Quincy District Court on Monday.
Ana Walshe has been missing for a week.
WBZ-TV has verified a voicemail from Brian Walsh to a friend of Ana’s in Washington, DC, where Ana works. The friend said the voicemail was left on Wednesday, the same day Ana was reported missing to the police.
“Good afternoon, this is Brian Walshe. I hope everything is going well. I’ve been contacting everyone as much as I can. Ana has been out of touch for a few days,” Brian said in a voicemail. “If you know anyone who has had contact with her, you know I’ve been trying to call everyone. I’m sorry to bother you. I hope all is well.”
In 2018, the U.S. District Court Brian Walshe is accused of fraud for selling two fake Andy Warhol paintings. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges in 2021 and remains under house arrest pending his sentencing.
“It’s absolutely mind-blowing,” said Peter Kirby. He is a friend of the Walshe family and saw Brian on Thursday.
Kirby said Ana and Brian hope 2023 will be “their year”.
Now Kirby is fighting developments in the case to support his best friend.
“Our dear friend Brian is in this dire situation where he’s scared, heartbroken, stuck in an endless loop while the internet decides he’s bad,” Kirby said.
A search is underway for missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe Suspended after two daysBut as the investigation into her disappearance continued on Sunday, police returned to her home off Route 3A.
According to I-Team sources, the police executed a search warrant at the house. The couple’s children are in government custody, sources said.
Investigators were seen removing boxes of evidence from inside the home and others were seen holding shovels.
The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office will now be the lead agency in the search.
At a news conference Friday, Police Chief William Quigley said there had been “no trace” of Walshe since Jan. 1.
That same day, a relative saw Walshe leave her home at 4 a.m. to take a rideshare ride from Reagan National Airport in Washington to Logan Airport in Boston, the chief said, adding that her husband was asleep when she left. Presumably called to work rush in DC
Police said they could not confirm whether Walshe ever got off the passenger seat, adding that he did not board the plane. Walshe was reported missing Wednesday.
Detectives returned from DC on Sunday as they searched for possible evidence.
Quigley previously said Walshe’s cell phone had been disabled since Jan. 1 and there had been no activity on her credit or debit cards since then.
Walshe is described as 5’2″, weighing 115 pounds. She has brown hair, brown eyes and speaks with an Eastern European accent.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Detective Harrison Schmidt at 781-383-1055 x-6108 or [email protected].