Hey y’all, it’s Julie Mattson, and this week on Pushing Up Lilies, we’re diving into the unsettling disappearance of Ana Walshe, a mother of three from Cohasset, Massachusetts, who seemed to vanish without a trace on New Year’s Day, 2023. What began as a missing persons case quickly unraveled into something far more sinister. As I walk you through the timeline, you’ll hear about Ana’s mysterious early morning plans, the text messages that went unanswered, and the chilling internet searches made by her husband, Brian Walshe, in the hours following her disappearance. Prosecutors now allege that Brian, who was already under house arrest for unrelated fraud charges, murdered Ana in their home and attempted to cover it up in a web of lies and digital footprints. But what evidence do they have? And why did it take so long for anyone to report her missing? Join me as I unpack the disturbing details, from the couple’s troubled past to the growing mountain of circumstantial evidence. This is a case that leaves more questions than answers, and one that forces us to ask: how well do we really know the people we love? * Listener discretion is advised.
CONNECT WITH JULIE MATTSON:
• Website: https://pushinguplilies.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pushinguplilies
00:06
Welcome to Pushing Up Lilies. I'm your host, Julie Mattson. Pushing Up Lilies is a weekly true crime podcast with spine-tingling, unusual, and terrifyingly true stories from my perspective as a forensic death investigator and a sexual assault nurse examiner.
00:24
Do I have some stories for you? Are you ready? Hey guys, welcome back. I know that many of you have heard, if you're on my Facebook page, that I have decided to retire from the medical examiner's office.
00:42
It's a super hard decision because I really love what I do there. But the fact of the matter is the podcast is growing quickly. I'm starting to get some speaking engagements. I have applied for CrimeCon and Crime Cruise and some other seminars and some other speaking engagements and have also got my med spa up and running for the past nine years.
01:11
And it's doing so well. And we've been so incredibly busy. I just need to be there more. And I have plans to go to work for American Forensics as a part-time forensic death investigator remotely. And so that'll kind of allow me to keep my foot in the door.
01:30
But also, as you know, I'm in nurse practitioner school. And so, my clinicals are going to start in May. And that's going to keep me super busy. So, I will be doing clinical probably two to three days a week at a doctor's office.
01:48
And I've already got those offices secured. And it's going to be a lot of work and a lot of learning. And I want to do well. And so, I just decided I need to get rid of something. And the 5 a.m. shifts on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are getting kind of old.
02:09
I've been doing this for about 20 years as a death investigator. And of course, when I worked as a sexual assault nurse, I've been doing that for 25 years. And I was on call 24 hours a day, every five days.
02:25
And it got exhausting because in some 24-hour shifts, I would get called out five or six times to do a sexual assault exam. And those are very tedious and can take a long time. It takes a lot of concentration, a lot of patience sometimes with some of the patients that come into the emergency room in an acute clinical setting.
02:49
And you really have to be alert and aware of what you're asking and what you're doing because it's critical sometimes that the evidence gets collected appropriately so that you get the results that you expect.
03:05
And when you testify in court, it all becomes worthwhile. It has been such a fun career and I'm excited to continue just different aspects of it. Started writing my book. I'm really wanting to get my YouTube channel up and going.
03:24
The book and the YouTube channel are both called Brains, Body Bags, and Bedside Manor. Super excited to get the book released. I've been trying to write a little bit every day. It's exciting. So, it's a lot of good stuff going on.
03:39
It's just a lot. I'm sure that, I mean, a lot of people say that they get exhausted just listening to me talk about the things that I have to do. I love it though. So, to me, being busy doing things that I enjoy makes me happy.
03:56
If I got bored, I don't know what I would do. Could you imagine not having anything to do? I don't think I would like it. I mean, some people say, I can't wait to not work, but I don't think I'll ever be that way.
04:09
And I think my dad instilled that in me because he always worked more than one job. I mean, I can remember when I was a kid, he would work days at General Motors in Dallas and then come home and work down the street at the corner grocery store.
04:26
So, and go to school. And I always thought, golly, how does he do that? And then now I'm doing it. So sometimes the apple doesn't fall far from the tree is all I can say. And some of you may be the same way.
04:40
You see traits in you that are very similar to that of your parents. Then it just starts to click. But I think if you do things that you enjoy doing, it doesn't feel like work. And so that's kind of where I'm at in my life.
04:52
And so, if you wonder how I balance all the things, it's because I actually enjoy them. Nothing feels like work. Nothing feels like tedious or taxing. And so that's the way it should be. You're supposed to have fun.
05:08
You only get one chance at this life. This week, I want to talk a little bit about the disappearance and the murder of, well, presumed murder of Ana Walsh. Ana Walsh was last seen on New Year's Day, 2023.
05:25
Her body has never been found, and her husband, Brian, is charged with her murder. Now, he denies killing her, and this is what's really a strange part of this story, but he admits to dismembering and disposing of her remains.
05:42
That still is not okay. I mean, many of us know that, but some people don't. This episode is based only on reports and court documents and contains no added facts and no narrative embellishments. And I try to make sure that I give y'all the facts.
05:59
And so that's what you deserve. I'm completely unbiased and I've always kind of been proud of the fact that I can remain that way. Ana Walsh was born in Belgrade, Serbia, and she immigrated to the U.S.
06:16
and began working in hospitality. She later actually transitioned into real estate, and she built a career that placed her in very significant leadership roles. And at the time she disappeared, she was actually a highly valued executive for Tishman Spire, which is a firm based out of Washington.
06:39
Now, her work did require weekly travel, and many of you who are married to someone who does this, or who does this yourselves, are very aware of how difficult that can be. She spent weekdays in Washington, and then she would return to Massachusetts on weekends.
07:00
Now, she had recently purchased a townhouse in Washington for that reason. And prosecutors later stated that she was having an affair with the realtor who sold her that property. Now, they also said Brian suspected that she was being unfaithful in the months before she vanished.
07:24
That never looks good either. You know, we always say it's always the husband. And in cases like this where he thinks she's unfaithful, for some reason, the husband feels like, or the wife, if the tables are turned, that that gives them a reason to commit murder.
07:42
Ana and Brian met in 2008 and they married in 2015. Now, they had three boys who were toddlers and actually preschool age when Ana disappeared. Her coworkers describe her as driven and reliable. And when she failed to show up for work on January 4th, her boss immediately noticed and called the police.
08:10
We all had that very reliable coworker, and if they're not at work, we know something's wrong. Now, Brian Walsh entered Ana's life before the events in this case. During the marriage, Brian faced a lot of legal issues that later became public.
08:29
And in April of 2021, he pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges that actually involved counterfeit Andy Warhol paintings of all things. Prosecutors said that he engaged in a years-long art fraud scheme.
08:48
In 2024, he received a sentence of 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $475,000 in restitution. At the time Ana disappeared, Brian was awaiting sentencing, and because of the nature of his case, he was placed under home confinement.
09:14
These restrictions actually limited his movements and required him to follow a lot of strict rules about where he could go and when he could go. This legal trouble is one of the issues that prosecutors later cited as a potential strain on the marriage, as you can imagine.
09:36
Ana was last seen on the early hours of January 1st, 2023. The couple hosted friends for New Year's Eve at their home in Cohasset. Guests left just a little after midnight. There were no reports of problems.
09:55
There was no fighting. Nobody seemed to think that they were arguing over anything, nothing substantial. But according to prosecutors, this was the final confirmed sighting of Ana alive. So, around January 1st, 2023, just after midnight.
10:15
Now, Brian later told investigators that Ana left the house at around 6 a.m. on New Year's Day because of a work emergency. He said that she was required to return to Washington early because something was going on at work.
10:32
Police found that there were no flights booked in Ana's name. There was no Uber or Lyft or any kind of rideshare ordered. And no actual confirmed trace of her leaving the house. Prosecutors actually alleged that Brian killed her several hours after the party ended, and they said he dismembered her body on January 1st and immediately began disposing of her remains across various locations.
11:05
Now, the prosecution says surveillance footage actually shows Brian purchasing tarps, cleaning supplies, and other items that morning. Police say that Brian visited several dumpsters. So, during these two days, he went to several dumpsters across the region, dropping off trash bags.
11:29
They state that he disposed of more than a dozen large trash bags. If that's not obvious, I don't know what is. And some of these were later collected before being incinerated. Investigators reported finding missing items belonging to Ana and also DNA that matched hers inside the recovered bags.
11:54
Authorities also said that Brian had made some internet searches. And we've talked about this before. The police can always go into your computer and into your phone to see some of the things that you have done, even if they've been erased.
12:09
So, Brian made internet searches about body disposal and crime scene cleanup at around the same time that Ana went missing. Ana did not appear at work, and so her boss called the police. But then Brian also reported her missing.
12:30
Chances are, her employer called him, and then when he was made aware that they knew what was going on or that something was amiss, he decided that it would make him look good too if he gave them a call.
12:43
Now, investigators quickly noticed inconsistencies in Brian's statement, and he was arrested on January 7th for misleading the police. And that charge was separate from the later murder charge. Police said that his statements actually obstructed the investigation.
13:06
Now there were, again, talking about the computer, several searches that Brian conducted around the time Ana disappeared. The searches that were actually reported in court in the hearing included best ways to dispose of a body.
13:26
I don't know why this makes me laugh because it's like dumb criminals again. How to clean DNA off of a knife. How to get rid of body parts. And searches related to murder and divorce. Again, if this is not obvious, I don't know what is.
13:45
These searches actually became a central part of the prosecution's timeline. Now, a grand jury actually indicted Brian in March 2023 of three charges. Murder, misleading a police investigation, and improper transport of a human body.
14:07
Brian pled not guilty to the murder charge and the misleading charge at that time. On November 18th, 2025, this is not too long ago because this is December 2nd, Brian pleaded guilty to two lesser counts.
14:26
So improperly conveying a human body and misleading police. And these pleas were accepted. And in doing so, Brian actually admitted that he dismembered Ana's body and disposed of her remains in dumpsters that were later incinerated.
14:45
He still denied killing her, and he maintained his plea of not guilty to murder. Prosecutors believe Brian killed her because he thought that she was having an affair. And they also pointed to marital tension, which was caused by Brian's fraud case and him being under house arrest.
15:08
They alleged that he killed her on January 1st and then dismembered her body and attempted to eliminate evidence by distributing trash bags across the region. They point to the Google searches, the DNA found in the recovered bags, and the surveillance footage of his movements on the days after her disappearance.
15:32
They argue that nobody has been found and the available evidence places him in the center of Ana's disappearance and presumed death. I mean, it's too weird that he carried all these trash bags around and that she has not come forward.
15:50
She's obviously deceased and he obviously did it. I mean, he admitted to dismembering her. On December 1st, 2025, the first day of the murder trial, the defense presented its explanation. They stated that Brian found Ana dead in her bedroom.
16:10
Again, these are his attorneys. On January 1st, and her death was sudden and unexplained. And that he panicked. And he disposed of her remains to protect their children. They acknowledged that, yes, he did lie to the police.
16:27
They acknowledged that, yes, he did cut up her body. And they said he believed no one would accept that she actually died without warning. And they denied that he killed her. Investigators believe that most of the trash bags were collected and incinerated before they were located.
16:48
And the few bags that were discovered actually contained trace items, clothing, and DNA that prosecutors say actually belong to Ana. Because of the incineration, there are no remains to autopsy, and there are no definitive causes of death.
17:09
There is nothing to look at. There is no way to tell if there's trauma on the body. There is no way to tell before she passed what kind of injuries she may have had. Now, Brian's murder trial was originally scheduled to begin in October of 2025.
17:27
Before jury selection, the judge ordered him to Bridgewater State Hospital for evaluation. And just last month, November 2025, he was actually ruled fit to stand trial. The trial actually opened December 1st.
17:46
So crazy thing, that was just yesterday. And this was in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts. This trial is expected to last for several weeks. And this trial is going to include all different kinds of evidence.
18:06
Digital forensics because he used his computer to do the searches. DNA evidence because the trash bags that were recovered actually contained some of Ana's DNA. Surveillance footage because they actually show him on camera getting rid of the trash bags at different trash dumpsters in the area where he lived.
18:35
Expert testimony, testimony about the couple's relationship that one or both of them shared with their friends, and information about Brian's movements during home confinement. This case is actually being live streamed on court TV.
18:56
I don't know if y'all remember when the O.J. Simpson case came. I'm sure you do. Who doesn't remember O.J. Simpson's case? It was on court TV, and I was glued to my television. I watched every single bit of that trial.
19:13
It was so exciting to me. I mean, I've testified in trial multiple times, but that to me, I just took in every bit of the evidence. I watched everything. It was like I was a jury member and I needed to know.
19:27
Took it all in. The jury is going to have to determine whether or not Brian actually caused Ana's death. And that's going to be hard to determine because there's not a body. We don't even know what happened to her.
19:42
They're going to also have to determine whether the evidence actually meets the standard for first-degree murder. They're also going to have to decide whether the circumstantial case supports premeditation, because that's important in cases like this.
20:01
And they need to decide whether the defense explanation actually introduces reasonable doubt. So, if Brian's convicted of first-degree murder, he faces a mandatory life sentence without parole. Now, Ana and Brian's three sons have pretty much lived without both parents since January of 2023 when all this went down.
20:29
Ana is obviously presumed dead, and Brian has been incarcerated awaiting trial. And their future is actually shaped by the outcome of this case. And this case resonates nationally because several elements actually contribute to public attention.
20:52
A missing mother, which we've seen more often than we want to in the news, an affluent community, a husband who's already involved in a federal fraud case. It's not like he's completely innocent and just no one can believe that this happened because nothing bad has ever happened to him and he's never been known to do anything wrong.
21:19
Not the case here. He's already involved in a federal fraud case. We've also got the internet searches that appear linked to this crime, which to me are obvious, and the complete absence of a body. And then a defendant who actually says, yes, he did dismember her, but he did not murder her.
21:46
And that is still not okay. Still not okay, y'all. These factors actually combine into a case that draws coverage across the country. Outstanding questions, because a lot of questions remain unresolved.
22:04
What caused Ana's death? How did she die? He's not saying that he did it. He's saying he dismembered her. He's claiming that she just died at home of natural causes and he panicked. Well, who panics?
22:18
Like call 911, have them come. It makes you look a lot less innocent than when you try to hide a body or actually dismember it and throw it in the dumpster. Was there a physical struggle? And that, again, is something that we may never know because a lot of the evidence was probably destroyed before the police even realized she was missing and even knew to go to the residence and take photos.
22:46
What forensic evidence actually remains after the alleged incineration? Probably not a lot of forensic evidence that exists at the place where these bags containing her remains were supposedly incinerated.
23:05
Was there a catalyst that night? Did something happen? Did they get into an argument? And everyone kind of says it was a pretty calm nod. There was no arguing. There was no fighting. So that's kind of already documented.
23:18
But did something happen after everyone left? Did they get into an argument about something? Which digital records will be admitted at the trial? We know that he performed a lot of internet searches.
23:32
Which ones of those will actually be admitted into evidence? And will the defense's sudden death explanation actually hold weight? Probably not because it can't be proved or disproved. But if she died of natural causes, why would he dismember the body and discard of the body?
23:57
Why wouldn't he just call 911 like most normal people would, have EMS come, attempt to revive her, and blame it on her pre-existing medical conditions. Only the jury's decision will answer whether the evidence actually proves murder beyond a reasonable doubt.
24:19
Ana Walsh's disappearance actually left a family broken and a community searching for answers. And the trial of Brian Walsh lays out two competing stories. The prosecution says that he planned and carried out the killing.
24:36
They want him in prison for life. The defense says she died suddenly, and he made choices that destroyed evidence and destroyed trust, but did not actually kill her and did not actually commit the murder.
24:54
Now, because this trial just started yesterday, there will definitely be more details that are going to emerge as the testimony continues. I don't know about y'all, but I'm going to tune in and watch this tomorrow.
25:07
Kind of excited to see how this goes down. My husband's having surgery, and when I'm at the hospital, I'm going to have my computer on. I'm going to be watching court TV in the waiting room. I only worked one day this week.
25:19
Y'all only worked today. Had a suicide. Went in super sad, unexpected. This family said that there were previous attempts years prior, like 10 plus years. This person was doing well. And this kind of came out of nowhere.
25:36
So, I went to the residence to try to notify the brother who she was staying with. He was not at work. And then ended up having to call him later, which is not my favorite way to notify family. But I had no choice.
25:52
And we really don't want to delay it any longer. So, I had attempted to call family several times throughout the day and then finally got a hold of someone and was able to tell them. I just don't want them to find out in another way.
26:07
And I figured that family was at work and didn't really know that anything had happened. And I would eventually catch them at home at night. But it's so hard to break the news like that to families over the phone, especially.
26:22
But that is one part of the job that I can honestly say that I won't miss because it's so difficult. So difficult. I know that we've had several people apply for my job. It's super sad to think that I won't be there anymore.
26:39
But also, I'm getting a little bit excited about the fact that my phone won't ring at 5 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. And I've had several dispatchers and I love these guys. They're so sweet reach out and say the happy voice that they love to hear in the morning.
26:59
And I'm like, you can always call me and I'll be happy, but I won't be working. Anyway, it's kind of exciting. I will have an acknowledgement read at the commissioner's court meeting on December 15th.
27:17
And December 16th is actually my retirement party at the courthouse here in Denton. And then December 30th will be my last day. So, on New Year's Eve, I will no longer be employed there. And again, it is sad, but it's bittersweet and I'm excited about the future.
27:37
I hope that y'all have a great rest of your week. I will again be stuck at the hospital tomorrow. Prayers for my hubby. And I look forward to talking to you soon. Y'all be safe. Bye. Thank you so much for joining me today on Pushing Up Lilies.