What we covered here today
• A key witness: William Fastow spent much of the morning testifying at Brian Walshe’s murder trial about the intimate relationship he had with Ana Walshe. He also testified to the stressors he understood to be present in the Walshes’ marriage.
• More witnesses took the stand: Other witnesses followed, some testifying about their interactions with Ana before she went missing, and others about digital forensic evidence.
• The case: Brian Walshe, who denies killing his wife, pleaded guilty last month to misleading police and improper conveyance of a human body. Ana Walshe’s body has not been found.
Our live coverage of the Brian Walshe trial has wrapped for the day. Please scroll through the posts below for all the details from Thursday’s testimony.
Court has adjourned for the day
Judge Diane Freniere has dismissed the jury for the day.
Court will reconvene tomorrow morning and is expected to be in session for half a day, from 9 a.m. ET to 1 p.m. ET, Freniere said.
Phone record from January 3, 2023, shows call between Brian and Ana Walshe's phones, witness says
Massachusetts State Police Trooper Connor Keefe showed the jury a call log between Brian and Ana Walshe’s phones for December 25, 2022, and January 3, 2023.
There was a call from Walshe’s phone to his wife’s on January 3, 2023, at 8:28 a.m. ET that lasted 15 seconds. The call duration does not imply the phone call connected, Keefe testified.
15 seconds could suggest the call went to voicemail, he said.
Messages from Brian Walshe's phone show he called coworkers asking about Ana
Massachusetts State Police Trooper Connor Keefe, who is on the stand for the prosecution, reviewed text message exchanges recovered from Brian Walshe’s cell phone around the time his wife was officially reported missing.
Messages were sent from the phone to one of Ana’s coworkers around January 4, 2023, Keefe said, citing the records. In one message, the sender claimed they had called area hospitals, adding, “They don’t have Ana.”
Another message sent from Brian Walshe’s phone on January 3 to someone else said, “Hello I know we did this a week ago but have you heard from Ana.”
Walshe told investigators he panicked when he didn’t hear from Ana on Christmas Day after her flight was canceled and called her friends and coworkers looking for her.
Brian Walshe searched online for his wife after she missed Christmas Eve, phone records show
Massachusetts State Police Trooper Connor Keefe testified about a series of searches made on Brian Walshe’s cell phone relating to his wife, Ana Walshe, and her workplace beginning on December 25, 2022 – days before she vanished.
Keefe, who analyzed the phone, said that on December 25 at 12:09 p.m. ET, a search was made that read, “William Fastow DC real estate.” Fastow, who testified this morning, was having an affair with Ana Walshe.
Also around that time, between 12:22 p.m. and 12:45 p.m., there were searches for “Ana Walshe Tishman Speyer,” “Christmas Day plane crash,” and “Ana Walshe found dead,” Keefe said, citing the phone records.
Fastow testified he and Ana spent Christmas Eve that year together with his friends. Her flight to Massachusetts was canceled on Christmas morning, so she drove instead.
On December 29, Brian Walshe searched for buildings in the portfolio of Tishman Speyer, where Ana Walshe worked.
On January 3, at 11:25 a.m. ET, there was a search for “Washington DC police,” Keefe said. Later that night, between 7:23 p.m. and 7:27 p.m., there were searches for “how to file a missing persons report” and “Washington DC Police Department.”
There were more searches for several Tishman Speyer buildings again on January 4, as well as a query for “Will Fastow,” Keefe said. Brian Walshe called Fastow on January 4, when his wife was officially reported missing, and he searched her DC townhome, Fastow testified earlier.
What phone location data shows about where prosecutors say Brian Walshe was following his wife's disappearance
Law enforcement tracked Brian Walshe’s movements through two iPhones seized during the investigation into Ana’s disappearance, according to testimony by Massachusetts State Police trooper Connor Keefe.
After extracting information from the devices, Keefe said he alerted his supervisors on January 8 or 9, 2023, that he saw location data that suggested Brian Walshe’s cell phone traveled from the area of his home to an area near the dumpsters at his mother’s apartment complex on the morning of January 5.
Law enforcement ultimately searched the dumpsters, where they found Ana Walshe’s belongings, according to prosecutors.
Keefe reviewed other location data used to track the movements of Walshe’s phone between January 1 and January 5, he said, after Ana Walshe’s purported disappearance.
- On the evening of January 1, Brian Walshe’s phone pinged at a Lowe’s, a CVS and grocery stores.
- On January 2, his phone appeared at a Home Goods, Home Depot, Walgreens and a grocery store.
- On January 3, according to the phone data, Brian Walshe’s phone went to three different apartment complexes, including the Claremont in Abington, Massachusetts. Jurors saw surveillance footage earlier today that appeared to show a man throwing away a black trash bag in the complex dumpster.
Court is back in session
The jury is back in the courtroom and Massachusetts State Police Trooper Connor Keefe is back on the stand.
Keefe has been testifying for the prosecution about Verizon records for Ana Walshe’s phone.
Before the lunch break, Keefe testified Ana Walshe’s cell phone last pinged in Cohasset, Massachusetts, in the area of the Walshe family home on January 2, 2023, at 3:14 a.m. ET.
Ana Walshe’s phone interacted again with the Verizon network at January 2, 2023, at 4:13 a.m. ET, though it didn’t register a location, Keefe’s testimony indicated.
The last time there was any activity on Ana Walshe’s phone with the Verizon network was on January 4, 2023, at 4:14 a.m. ET, according to Keefe.
This post has been updated with additional information on Ana Walshe’s cell phone.
Key moments from this morning's testimony in the Brian Walshe murder trial
We’ve heard from a number of witnesses in the Brian Walshe murder trial today.
Here are key moments from the testimony we heard this morning:
- Jurors hear from man who had an affair with Ana Walshe: Much of the morning was spent hearing the testimony of William Fastow, the man with whom Ana Walshe had an affair. He testified about the last days he spent with Ana Walshe and the nature of their relationship. Fastow acknowledged both he and Ana Walshe talked about the impact their affair would have on their families and he knew there was a possibility that she would stay with Brian Walshe. The jury heard a voicemail from Brian Walshe left for Fastow on January 4, 2023, asking Fastow if he had seen his wife. Fastow confirmed he hasn’t seen Ana Walshe since December 25, 2022.
- Witnesses describe last interactions with Ana Walshe: Suzanne Garland, the owner of Bar Method studio in Massachusetts said Ana Walshe attended a barre class early on New Year’s Eve 2022. Ashley Cimmino was the barre instructor at the class Ana Walshe took on the last day she was seen alive. Cimmino said she spoke to Ana Walshe about seeing her again soon at classes. Janet Cotter said she and Ana Walshe sat next to each other while getting pedicures at a nail salon in Massachusetts on December 31, 2022. According to Cotter, Ana Walshe said she was looking forward to a special dinner with her husband on New Year’s Day.
- Witnesses describe digital evidence: Sandra Hempel-Waldroup, the general manager and head of maintenance at an Abington, Massachusetts, apartment complex discussed security footage captured on January 3, 2023. That footage shows a Volvo SUV pull up to the dumpsters on the property. A man appears to carry a black garbage bag to the dumpsters. The prosecution is currently questioning Massachusetts State Trooper Connor Keefe, who indicated Ana Walshe’s phone last pinged in the area of the Walshe family home on January 2, 2023, at 3:14 a.m. ET.
A look at who has taken the stand so far today
The jury heard from a flurry of witnesses this morning in the murder trial of Brian Walshe, including the man his wife, Ana Walshe, was having an affair with in Washington, DC.
Here’s who took the stand:
- William Fastow, a real estate estate broker and the man who Ana Walshe was in a romantic relationship with.
- Christopher Murphy, who said he cold-called Brian Walshe with a promotional offer on painting services in January 2023.
- Suzanne Garland, who owns a “Bar Method” studio in Massachusetts that Ana attended.
- Ashley Cimmino, a special education teacher and Bar Method instructor.
- Janet Cotter, who said he contacted local police in January 2023 after seeing news coverage about Ana Walshe. They sat next to each other while getting pedicures at a nail salon in Massachusetts on December 31, 2022.
- Julie Basler, who worked at a KinderCare daycare when the Walshe’s sons attended the facility in the fall of 2022.
- Sandra Hempel-Waldroup, the general manager and head of maintenance at the Claremont apartment complex in Abington, Massachusetts.
- Connor Keefe, a Massachusetts State Police trooper who analyzed Verizon records for Ana Walshe’s phone in an effort to locate it.
Court adjourns for lunch break
Court has adjourned for a lunch break.
Massachusetts State Police Trooper Connor Keefe will continue testifying on direct examination after the break around 2 p.m. ET.
State trooper testifying about efforts to locate Ana Walshe's cell phone
Massachusetts State Police Trooper Connor Keefe is the next witness for the prosecution. He’s assigned to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Keefe joined the investigation into the disappearance of Ana Walshe on January 5, 2023. He was asked to analyze Verizon records for Ana’s phone that day. He used Verizon data for Ana’s cell phone in an effort to locate it.
Keefe’s testimony indicated Ana Walshe’s cell phone last pinged in Cohasset, Massachusetts, in the area of the Walshe family home on January 2, 2023, at 3:14 a.m. ET.
This post has been updated with additional information.
Witness Sandra Hempel-Waldroup testifies about January 3, 2023, security camera footage
The next witness, Sandra Hempel-Waldroup, the general manager and head of maintenance at the Claremont apartment complex in Abington, Massachusetts, testified about security footage from January 3, 2023.
There are four security cameras on the exterior of the property, she said. There are three dumpsters on the property. It’s located next to an elderly living facility.
Prosecutor Greg Connor submitted security camera footage from The Claremont into evidence.
The jury viewed security camera footage from the apartment complex on January 3, 2023, that shows a Volvo SUV pull up to the dumpsters on the property. A man appears to carry a black garbage bag to the dumpsters.
On cross-examination, defense attorney Larry Tipton asked the property manager to confirm that nowhere on the dumpsters or the property’s website does it list when trash is scheduled to be picked up.
Based on the typical collection schedule, the trash on that day, January 3, 2023, would’ve been picked up the following day, prosecutor Greg Connor confirmed with Hempel-Waldroup on redirect examination.
Basler says she saw Brian Walshe drop off sons to daycare on January 3 and 4, 2023
Julie Basler would regularly make small talk with Brian Walshe, she testified.
At some point, Brian Walshe mentioned that he might be pulling the boys from the facility to move to Washington, DC but the timing had not been set, Basler said.
Basler testified she saw Brian Walshe bring his children to the daycare on two days in January 2023, around the time of Ana Walshe’s disappearance — on January 3 and 4.
She and Brian Walshe exchanged brief greetings, Basler testified. She said Brian Walshe seemed rushed and it was different than their usual interactions.
Prosecution is now questioning witness Julie Basler
The next witness is Julie Basler. She worked at a KinderCare daycare when the Walshe’s sons attended the facility in the fall of 2022.
Brian Walshe or his mother would drop off the kids at daycare each day, Basler said. Brian Walshe also picked up his sons.
Basler recalled seeing Ana Walshe picking up her sons on three or four occasions, usually on a Friday afternoon.
Prosecutors questioned witness Janet Cotter
The next witness was Janet Cotter.
Cotter contacted local police in January 2023 after seeing news coverage about Ana Walshe, she said. Cotter and Ana Walshe sat next to each other while getting pedicures at a nail salon in Massachusetts on December 31, 2022. They spoke for about 15 minutes that day, Cotter said.
Ana Walshe was very warm and told Cotter she was entertaining for dinner at her home that night for New Year’s Eve.
According to Cotter, Walshe said she was looking forward to a special dinner with her husband on New Year’s Day.
Cotter also remembered Ana Walshe mentioned her job in Washington, DC, and said her husband was helpful with their three sons.
The defense did not question Cotter. She is off the stand.
Defense questions Cimmino about Ana Walshe's physical fitness
On cross examination Kelli Porges confirmed that Ashley Cimmino’s description of Ana Walshe’s physical fitness was not based on any medical information she had of her.
Cimmino also confirmed she wasn’t aware of any undiagnosed pulmonary, cardiac or neurological conditions Ana Walshe might’ve had.
Cimmino is off the stand.
Prosecutor questions next witness, Ashley Cimmino
Ashley Cimmino, special education teacher and Bar Method instructor, is now on the stand.
She first met Ana Walshe around 2011 before Walshe was married, when Cimmino was her instructor at a Bar Method location in Boston.
Cimmino recalled meeting Brian Walshe on occasion over the years when he went to class with his wife.
Cimmino was the barre instructor at the Bar Method class Ana Walshe took on the last day she was seen alive.
They hadn’t seen each other in years when they connected at the class. They had an “Oh my god” moment when they saw each other in the class, Cimmino recalled. They spoke briefly after the class.
Cimmino described Ana Walshe as “a powerhouse” in class. “She was someone you wanted to take class with because she made you work harder,” Cimmino said.
Cimmino said she spoke to Ana Walshe about seeing her again soon at classes.
Ana Walshe attended fitness class on New Year's Eve morning
Ana Walshe was an unlimited member at the studio Suzanne Garland owns before Walshe relocated to Washington, DC.
She still went to Bar Method classes whenever she was in Massachusetts, Garland said.
At that point she didn’t have a regular unlimited membership and paid for “drop in” classes.
On December 30, 2022, Ana Walshe emailed Garland to sign up for a special unlimited membership for the month of January because she planned to be in Massachusetts more than usual.
Ana Walshe went to a Bar Method class on the morning of December 31, 2022, studio records confirm.
Defense attorney Kelli Porges briefly questioned Garland on cross examination.
Garland testified that studio goers sign a medical waiver saying they’re physically fit to participate in the workouts when they sign a membership contract.
Walshe last signed a contract with that waiver self-reporting she was physically fit for class in September 2021, Garland recalled.
Garland is off the stand.
Prosecutors call next witnesses to stand
Prosecutors called their next witness Christopher Murphy and briefly questioned him.
Murphy said he cold-called Brian Walshe with a promotional offer on painting services in January 2023.
He couldn’t remember when exactly he called Brian Walshe but it was early in January 2023. At the time, Walshe said he didn’t need any painting services.
After Murphy called Brian Walshe one time, he responded to him in a text message. Brian Walshe sent photos to Murphy of a ceiling that needed repair. He said, “Good morning, let me know about the ceiling.”
A section of ceiling plaster had broken off in Walshe’s bedroom in the family’s Cohasset, Massachusetts, rental home.
The jury saw a photo of the damage earlier at trial.
Murphy testified that he and Walshe never had any other conversations about the ceiling beyond those text messages.
Murphy is now off the stand and the prosecution has called Suzanne Garland, who owns a Bar Method studio in Massachusetts, to testify.
Fastow confirms that he and Ana Walshe discussed the impact affair would have on their families
William Fastow confirmed that it would devastate Ana Walshe’s husband if he found out about their affair.
Fastow also acknowledged that he and Ana Walshe had never had extensive concrete conversations about being together and a timeframe of when that would happen.
Fastow also acknowledged that he told Ana Walshe that his own son would be devastated if he started bringing another woman around.
Defense attorney Kelli Porges read a text message Fastow sent Ana Walshe on December 29, 2022.
“He can’t imagine me with someone else. Like all children of separated parents he deeply wants us to reconcile. Introducing him to someone else would destroy that fantasy. It would crush him.”
Fastow also acknowledged that while they were dating, he knew there was always a possibility Ana Walshe would stay with her husband.
“While she would talk about arguments they had about finances or the stress of his federal case, she always spoke to you about him in a positive light?” Porges asked.
“Yes,” Fastow said.
“And you knew from her, from her words, that she cared for him deeply.” Porges followed up.
“Very much so,” Fastow said.
Fastow is off the stand.
The commonwealth declined to question him on redirect examination.
