Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield: Episode Summary

Episode Title: Google Searches from Hell: The Horrifying Disappearance of Ana Walshe
Release Date: August 12, 2025

Ashleigh Banfield delves deep into the mysterious and chilling disappearance of Anna Walsh, unraveling a case fraught with deceit, meticulous planning, and dark secrets. This episode meticulously examines the events leading up to Anna's vanishing, the suspicious actions of her husband Brian Walsh, and the complexities surrounding the ongoing legal battle.

1. Introduction to Anna Walsh’s Disappearance

Ashleigh Banfield sets the stage by recounting her time in Boston in 2023, where the unsettling news of Anna Walsh's disappearance first reached her. Banfield emphasizes the peculiar nature of the case, highlighting the absence of witnesses and a body, which typically signify a meticulously planned crime.

"Nobody dies the way Anna Walsh died, without a whole lot of planning and a deep sense of cunning, methodical strategizing, and a heart of pure evil." (00:00)

Anna Walsh, a successful real estate executive and mother of three, vanished on New Year's Day 2023. Her disappearance garnered national attention, with suspicion quickly falling on her husband, Brian Walsh.

2. Timeline of Anna’s Disappearance

Anna was last seen in Cohasset, Massachusetts, after hosting a New Year's Eve dinner. She was scheduled to fly to Washington, D.C., for work the following morning but never boarded her flight. By January 4th, Anna had not been heard from, prompting her employer to request a wellness check.

Banfield narrates:

"Anna never even left the house by January 4th." (00:00)

3. Brian Walsh’s Suspicious Activities

The investigation unveiled a series of alarming behaviors exhibited by Brian Walsh. Contrary to his claims that Anna had left early for the airport, no digital or physical evidence supported her departure.

• Google Searches: In the days surrounding Anna's disappearance, Brian conducted numerous disturbing searches related to disposing of a body and avoiding detection.

  "How long before a body starts to smell? How to stop a body from decomposing?" (00:00)

• Surveillance Footage: Brian was captured purchasing large quantities of cleaning supplies and protective gear, including gloves and Tyvek suits, which he later used in disposing of evidence.

  "Brian Walsh was caught on surveillance camera, not just then, but again later that evening, removing the gloves and the mask." (00:00)

• Disposal Attempts: Video evidence showed Brian dumping heavy garbage bags at various dumpsters, attempting to eliminate any trace of wrongdoing.

4. Evidence Recovered

A pivotal breakthrough occurred when police examined a dumpster at Brian Walsh's mother's apartment, uncovering a cache of incriminating items:

• Physical Evidence: Blood-soaked towels, a damaged carpet, women's clothing matching Anna's, a Prada purse, and a Tyvek suit bearing both Brian’s and Anna’s DNA.

  "The Tyvek suit, it had Anna's DNA all over the outside of the sleeves and on the inside of the suit." (00:00)

• Forensic Results: Tests confirmed that the blood matched Anna Walsh's DNA, reinforcing the theory of foul play.

Banfield highlights the lack of any digital trail or evidence of Anna leaving the house, strengthening the case against Brian.

5. Brian Walsh’s Criminal Background

The episode delves into Brian Walsh’s history of deceit and criminal activity, painting a picture of a man capable of manipulation and fraud.

• Art Fraud Scheme (2016): Brian engaged in an elaborate scheme involving forged Andy Warhol paintings, defrauding unsuspecting buyers.

  "Brian Walsh was involved in an elaborate art fraud scheme... He listed them on eBay, claiming that they were authentic." (00:00)

• Forgery and Deception: In 2018, Brian pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including wire fraud and unlawful monetary transactions.

• Prior Threats: In 2014, Anna had reported Brian to the police for threatening her and her friends, a case that was closed without significant action.

  "Anna reported Brian to the police... Brian had threatened to kill her." (00:00)

This background establishes a pattern of manipulative and criminal behavior, casting further doubts on Brian’s character and intentions.

6. Legal Proceedings and Trial

Brian Walsh was arrested on January 18, 2023, and later indicted on charges including murder, obstruction of justice, and improper disposal of a human body. Despite the mounting evidence, Brian has pleaded not guilty, with his trial scheduled for October 2025.

Banfield outlines:

"Prosecutors say the case against Brian is built on forensic evidence, digital footprints, and a motive that was as calculated as it was cold." (00:00)

7. Controversial Involvement of Michael Proctor

A significant twist in the case involves the former Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, previously implicated in the high-profile Karen Reed murder case. Proctor's questionable conduct has cast doubts on the integrity of the investigation into Anna Walsh's disappearance.

• Previous Misconduct: Proctor was fired for sending misogynistic texts and leaking confidential information during the Karen Reed case.

  "Proctor was fired earlier this year after a disciplinary board found that he'd sent misogynistic text messages." (00:00)

• Impact on Anna’s Case: As the officer who signed the criminal complaint and executed the search warrant in the Walsh case, Proctor's past actions raise concerns about potential bias and mishandling of evidence.

• Defense Strategy: Brian’s legal team is leveraging Proctor’s tarnished reputation to challenge the validity of the evidence presented.

  "They’re arguing that if Proctor's work was as tainted as it was in one case, it's fair to question what he did in other cases like this case." (00:00)

This development introduces a layer of complexity to the case, potentially influencing its outcome.

8. Conclusion and Current Status

Ashleigh Banfield wraps up the episode by reflecting on the intertwined nature of Anna Walsh's disappearance and Brian Walsh's criminal past. With the trial set to unfold in October 2025, the case remains a focal point of true crime discussions, especially with the emerging controversies surrounding key investigative figures.

"The truth isn't just serious, it's drop dead seriously." (00:00)

Banfield assures listeners that updates on the case will continue as new information emerges, maintaining an ongoing commitment to uncovering the truth behind Anna Walsh's tragic disappearance.

This comprehensive analysis by Ashleigh Banfield offers listeners an in-depth understanding of the Anna Walsh case, presenting a narrative that intertwines meticulous investigative work with the dark intricacies of human behavior and legal challenges.