In a significant development during the murder trial of Brian Walshe, forensic evidence has come to light suggesting a possible link to his missing wife, Ana Walshe. DNA matching Ana’s profile was discovered on tools retrieved from a trash collection site, according to testimony from a forensic scientist.
Saman Saleem, who serves as a DNA unit supervisor at the Massachusetts State Police crime lab, provided critical testimony on Tuesday. She revealed that several items found at a Peabody, Massachusetts, trash site contained DNA consistent with Ana’s. These items included fragments of a Tyvek suit, rug pieces, unidentified tissue, slippers, and parts of a hacksaw and hatchet.
Brian Walshe, aged 50, stands accused of murdering his wife, allegedly driven by the discovery of her extramarital affair. Prosecutors argue that Brian, facing federal prison for art fraud, thought he could avoid incarceration by becoming the sole guardian of their three children.
Financial motives also play a role in the prosecution’s case. Brian was named the beneficiary of Ana’s $2.7 million life insurance policy, while he was burdened with nearly $500,000 in restitution related to his federal case, as indicated by court documents.
During the trial at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts, Brian was seen entering the courtroom with a rosary and papers in hand, a scene captured by Greg Derr of The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool.
Saleem’s testimony on Tuesday was particularly impactful, as she confirmed that the DNA evidence from the trash site items was a single-source female DNA matching Ana’s profile, strengthening the prosecution’s case against Brian Walshe.
Saleem said the DNA profile obtained from the hacksaw blade was “at least 39 million times more likely” if it originated from Ana than from an unknown, unrelated individual. DNA consistent with Ana was also found on a blood-stained piece of rug and on “unknown tissue” recovered from a dumpster in Swampscott.
Tools that tested positive for blood are submitted as evidence in the murder trial of Brian Walshe, of Cohasset, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
During cross-examination, defense attorney Larry Tipton worked to discredit the physical evidence by focusing on the limitation of forensic testing as well as the chance of contamination.
Saleem acknowledged that DNA “could be transferred from one item to another item in a bag” if pressed together.
Brian Walshe is seen on surveillance camera at Lowe’s in Danvers on Jan. 1. 2023 with a shopping list buying $463.26 in goods, including cleaning supplies. This evidence was presented in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
The jury also saw evidence of Brian’s actions in the days immediately following Ana’s New Year’s Day disappearance.
Michael Roddy, a district loss prevention manager for TJX, the parent company of HomeGoods, presented surveillance video of Brian’s shopping trips.
The footage showed Brian shopping at a Norwell HomeGoods on the mornings of Jan. 2 and Jan. 4.
Receipts showed that Walshe purchased rugs, towels and bathmats, paying for the items using store value cards for $245.35 and for $155.91. Roddy authenticated receipts that traced the store credits back to returns made by Ana in December 2022 from stores in Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
Ana Walshe was last seen at her home in Cohasset, MA, shortly after midnight on Jan. 1. (Facebook/Ana Walshe)
Testimony is set to resume Wednesday with the voir dire of Gem Mutlu, Ana’s former boss and friend.
