Episode Overview

Title: Brian Walsh Trial BOMBSHELL: ‘Yes, I Chopped Up & Dumped Her Body… No, I Didn’t Kill Her.’ | Ana Walshe
Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Ashleigh Banfield
Theme:
Ashleigh Banfield examines the stunning developments in the forthcoming murder trial of Brian Walsh, accused of killing his wife Ana Walshe in Massachusetts. Just as jury selection began, Walsh pleaded guilty to two serious charges—but not murder—throwing an unexpected twist into a case haunted by digital breadcrumbs, gruesome evidence, and haunting comparisons to other notorious trials. Banfield offers her irreverent, incisive take, with expert commentary from Boston investigative journalist Bob Ward.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Tribute to Atlas (00:00–03:40)

• Ashleigh begins the episode with an emotional tribute to her late dog, Atlas, who had been a constant companion during her recordings.
• She notes the strong support from listeners:
  “Thank you so incredibly much. I'm going to do another episode completely to tell you some of the things that were said that I think are really helpful…” (02:08)

Background: The Brian & Ana Walshe Case (03:41–07:05)

• Banfield recaps the main facts:

  • Ana was last seen on New Year’s Day 2023.
  • Prosecutors allege Brian Walsh killed and dismembered her, spreading her remains across Boston-area dumpsters—actions corroborated by surveillance footage and chilling Google searches.
  • Notable digital evidence:
    • “Four days before Ana Walsh vanished, Brian sat down with his son's iPad... and he typed in the following: ‘what's the best state to divorce for a man?’” (05:15)
    • “How long before a body starts to smell.”
    • “10 Ways to Dispose of a Dead Body if you really need to.”
    • “Can you throw away body parts?”

• Banfield’s sardonic take:
  “Imagine the idiot behind the keyboard... Is this the kind of person we're dealing with here?” (05:59)

Physical Evidence & Missing Body (07:06–08:30)

• Police found blood-stained items and Ana’s belongings, but never recovered her body.
• Banfield underlines the methodical nature of the coverup, referencing purchases of cleaning supplies, coveralls, and dismemberment tools.

The Courtroom Bombshell: Brian Walsh’s Partial Guilty Plea (08:31–12:00)

• On the first day of jury selection, Brian Walsh unexpectedly pleads guilty to two felony charges:

  • Misleading police
  • Illegally conveying a human body

• Banfield expresses disbelief at his “split the difference” approach:
  “He just cut my wife... into a bunch of pieces... I did all that. I didn't kill her. I'm not a monster. Is this Brian Walsh's game?” (09:19)

• She predicts: “I am so confident that prosecutors in Dedham, Massachusetts are going to be able to pick a jury that has half a brain. Right. I really am... they're going to pick somebody who sees right through this sociopath’s bullshit.” (10:47)

Notable Courtroom Exchange (10:58–11:03)

Judge: "Mr. Walsh, did you in fact, willfully remove or convey the body of Ana Walsh or her remains, not being lawfully authorized to do so?"
Brian Walsh: "Yes, your honor."
(10:58)

Judge: "Mr. Walsh, did you in fact, willfully mislead various law enforcement to include members of the Classic police department and the Massachusetts State police with the intent to impede or interfere with a criminal investigation of Ana Walsh's disappearance?"
Brian Walsh: "Yes, your honor."
(10:59)

• Banfield clarifies: No plea deal was made—Walsh remains charged with murder.

Expert Analysis: Interview with Bob Ward (12:17–19:06)

Reaction to the Plea

Banfield: “Did you... have it on your bingo card, did you?” (12:47)
Bob Ward: “No one in the courtroom... saw this coming. I was stunned.” (12:49)

• Ward notes this is the first time Walsh has openly admitted Ana is dead and that he disposed of her body.

Defense Strategy

Ward: “I think this is a defense strategy because they're whittling everything down, and it all now rests on the homicide charge... All you need is one or two jurors to have reasonable doubt. And he may... this may work.” (14:35)

Banfield’s Caution

• Banfield cites the Casey Anthony case, where reasonable doubt about the direct cause of death led to unexpected acquittal.
• “He's so repulsive in the way he would have conducted all of this, especially... with two little kids in the home, especially using the child's iPad.” (15:37)

Possibility: Walsh Takes the Stand

Ward: “Some people... suspect... the foundation is laid for Brian Walsh to take the stand because how else are they going to be able to explain what may have happened? ...If that is the case, then this is high risk because he has a lot of explaining to do.” (16:53)

Legal History & Prior Threats (18:36–19:06)

Ward: “[Police] found in Washington D.C. a complaint that she took out... saying that he threatened to kill her way back when they were dating. So that is... in his past... if he tries to claim self[-defense], then this is going to... come back out his way and I don't know how he can explain it.” (18:36)

Banfield's Take: “The Durst Defense” (19:07–end)

• Banfield recalls the 2001 Robert Durst trial, where Durst admitted to dismembering Morris Black but was acquitted of murder.
  • “Yeah, I cut him up and I threw his bits and pieces out into Galveston Bay, but I didn't kill him... and the jury did not convict him.” (19:55)
• She worries history could repeat, explaining that in some infamous cases, juries balked at a lack of direct evidence.
• Banfield, with characteristic candor:
  “Depending on how good Brian Walsh's lawyers are, maybe they'll do a Robert Durst playbook. ...But I don't know, I just feel like we're getting too smart for that. I'm just going to cross my fingers and hold my breath on it and I'm going to hope for the best. But this case is far from over.” (21:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Banfield’s summation of the defense:
  • “You want the ladies and gentlemen of the jury to believe you... that I didn't kill her? I just cut my wife... into a bunch of pieces. ...I didn't kill her. I'm not a monster.” (09:19)
• Bob Ward on courtroom shock:
  • “For three years, he's been just kind of a rock. I did nothing wrong. I don't know what happened to her. And now all of a sudden, things started changing.” (12:49)
• Banfield on reasonable doubt:
  • “It's called reasonable doubt. Not all shadow of a doubt. And if it's reasonable to believe that you're a piece of shit and that you are completely capable of murder, then it's reasonable for them to find you guilty. Right?” (10:40)
• Banfield on history repeating:
  • “He beat the rap on the murder charge and was free to walk about the country and murder at will. Right? ... Don't get me started on Casey Anthony.” (20:44)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• Tribute to Atlas: 00:00–03:40
• Case Recap / Evidence Review: 03:41–07:05
• Google Searches/Evidence: 05:00–06:30
• Physical Evidence: 07:06–08:30
• Brian Walsh’s Court Plea: 08:31–12:00
• Notable Courtroom Exchange: 10:58–11:03
• Interview: Bob Ward on the Bombshell Plea: 12:17–19:06
• Analysis & Legal Comparisons (Durst, Anthony): 19:07–end

Conclusion & Looking Ahead

Banfield closes with skepticism about Walsh’s defense but warns the audience not to underestimate the power of “reasonable doubt,” recalling famous cases where justice fell short. She pledges to provide ongoing, in-depth analysis as the trial unfolds, hinting at more personal and investigative shorts, especially honoring her beloved dog, Atlas.

“The truth isn't just serious, it's drop dead seriously.” – Ashleigh Banfield (end)