Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield
Episode: 'Ana Walshe Died in Her Sleep’: Brian Walshe's INSANE New Story | Brian Walshe Trial Day 1
Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Ashleigh Banfield
Episode Overview
In this gripping episode, veteran true crime reporter Ashleigh Banfield dissects Day 1 of the highly anticipated Brian Walshe murder trial. The central theme delves into Walshe's latest—and wildly implausible—story: his claim that his wife, Ana Walshe, simply died in her sleep, and that any subsequent damning evidence is merely the collateral of him covering up her unexplained death rather than committing murder. With her trademark irreverence and deep expertise, Banfield explores courtroom developments, key evidence, and the surreal arguments presented by the defense. She’s joined by NewsNation’s Brian Enten and a courtroom analyst to provide live insights and reactions.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Backdrop: The Walshe Case and "No-Body" Murder Prosecution
- Banfield recaps the case: Despite no recovered body, prosecutors have built a case via bloody clothes, knives, damning internet searches, and Walshe’s changing stories.
- Quote (Ashley Banfield, 01:35):
“You don’t always need a body to convict someone of murder. Not when the evidence points to things like dismemberment and disposal of body parts and a cover story that collapses under the slightest pressure.”
2. Brian Walshe’s New Story: Ana Died in Her Sleep
- Opening bombshell: On the eve of trial, Walshe admits to dismembering and disposing of Ana’s body—but says he didn’t kill her.
- Banfield’s summary (03:50):
“So what he’s saying to us is: I was lying then, over and over and over again, but I ain’t lying now. He truly thinks we’ll believe this. This preposterous story.”
3. The Defense’s Opening Statement: “Sudden Unexplained Death”
- Defense position (Prosecutor quoting defense, 05:09):
“You will hear evidence in this case of sudden unexplained death. You will hear evidence that it happens in young people and old.”
- Banfield’s retort (05:59):
“Like sudden infant death syndrome. Like SIDS, but only SUDs. Right? Whatever you call your steaming pile of shit, it is the identical bullshit that Chad Daybell tried to roll out in his murder trial.”
- Comparison to other murder cases (Tammy Daybell’s death, same “rolled off bed” explanation).
4. Damning Evidence: Internet Searches and Motive
- Evidence listed:
- Searched hours after Ana’s disappearance:
- “Best ways to dispose of body parts after murder”
- “How long before a body starts to smell”
- “How long before someone missing can be declared dead/inherit money.”
- Searched hours after Ana’s disappearance:
- Quote (Prosecutor, 06:59):
“At 4:54am the MacBook searched: 'Best way to dispose of a body,' ... at 6:24am same day: 'How long for someone to missing to inherit? How long missing to be dead?'”
- Ana’s life insurance: $2.7 million policy is a potential motive.
5. Courtroom Reaction & Expert Analysis
- Brian Enten reports from inside the court (07:43):
“One question. Did anybody laugh at the notion of what the defense attorney opened this case with?”
- Courtroom analyst (07:53):
“So we were all sort of wondering, OK, well then what is he going to say? Like, how does he get out of the murder? This was it. ... She suddenly died.”
6. Skepticism and Lying as a Theme
- Consensus among the panel: No reasonable person would believe Walshe’s sudden switch from years of lies.
- Brian Enten (08:43):
“When you are an exquisite liar like this guy—and that’s by his own admission—he’s already told us that he’s been lying through his teeth all the way from the moment she disappeared to the moment that he’s now having to face the music…”
7. Logical Fails in the Defense
- Courtroom analyst (09:22):
“...The defense attorney said there were no issues with cheating. We know there was cheating. There were no money issues. There was a ton of money issues ... He was dealing with federal charges for selling fraudulent artwork. She had another boy...”
- Brian Enten (10:15):
“I think that the most damning stuff...it’s the searches, the Internet searches that are done within hours of that house guest leaving at 1:30 in the morning... Best way to dispose of body parts after murder. Those are his words.”
8. Jury Perception and “Chad Daybell” Parallels
- Enten’s conclusion (11:58):
“What I find suddenly unexplainable is why this loving husband who’s had a wonderful dinner doesn’t grab the foot and call 911 if suddenly the wife beside him isn’t moving... They’re going to look at the guy and say, I smell Chad Daybell all over you, fella.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Walshe’s new story (Banfield, 03:50):
“He truly thinks we’ll believe this preposterous story.”
-
On the prosecution's key evidence (Prosecutor, 06:59):
“At 4:54am the MacBook searched: ‘Best way to dispose of a body’... at 6:24am: ‘How long for someone missing to inherit? How long missing to be dead?’”
-
On the defense’s explanation (Banfield, 05:59):
“Whatever you call your steaming pile of shit, it is the identical bullshit that Chad Daybell tried to roll out in his murder trial.”
-
On jury perception (Enten, 11:58):
“...if there are 12 reasonable people on that jury, they’re going to look at the guy and say, I smell Chad Daybell all over you, fella.”
-
Banfield’s wrap-up (12:33):
“So that’s day one in Brian Walshe’s murder trial. And something tells me this jury is in for a wild ride, as are the rest of us, because...this guy is pretty exquisite in his ability to lie.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:35 | Banfield’s introduction, case recap, and format | | 03:50 | Brian Walshe’s new defense: admits to dismemberment | | 05:09 | Defense’s opening: "sudden unexplained death" | | 05:59 | Banfield’s critique, Chad Daybell comparison | | 06:59 | Prosecutor lists incriminating internet searches | | 07:43 | Brian Enten’s courtroom report & panel discussion | | 09:22 | Analyst points out issues in defense story | | 10:15 | Banfield and Enten review key searches and prosecution case | | 11:58 | Jury perception & comparison to other notorious cases | | 12:33 | Banfield wraps up and teases further coverage |
Episode Tone and Style
Banfield keeps the discussion sharp, skeptical, and irreverent. She doesn't shy away from calling out obvious falsehoods and injects dark humor, all while underlining the seriousness of the crime and trial. The guest analysts and reporters match her directness, providing deeply informed commentary without pulling punches.
Summary
This episode delivers a thorough, darkly witty, and sharply critical breakdown of the first day of the Brian Walshe murder trial, spotlighting the implausible “sudden unexplained death” defense and the mountain of evidence—especially the damning digital footprint—that prosecutors are using to tell a very different story. Banfield and her colleagues make it clear: Walshe’s narrative is as unbelievable in the court of public opinion as it is in the courthouse, and listeners are set up for a dramatic trial ahead.