A couple close to missing mom of three and real estate agent Ana Walshe are speaking out about her erratic behavior in the months leading up to her disappearance. Mike and Mandi Silva rented an apartment from Ana and Brian Walshe in Revere, Massachusetts, for four years. They knew the couple well.
Before her disappearance, Ana Walshe had been promising “a big surprise” in 2023. The Silvas were not sure what exactly that meant. She also was in a hurry to sell off assets such as the apartment where the Silvas lived and a car.
Ana Walshe succeeded in selling the apartment and car on December 28 or 29 of 2022, according to Mike Silva. She sold it quickly and for cash. The couple noticed that something seemed different with her for the previous six months.
The Silvas opened up about this to NBC Washington. “Nothing is adding up,” Mandi Silva said. She is concerned for her friend.
Mandi Silva received a perplexing text message from Brian Walshe on January 2, 2023. This was one day after his wife went missing but two days before he reported it. Walshe wished her a happy new year.
According to Silva, the text message also said, “Sorry for the delay. I miss [sic] placed my phone and my son just found it.” Walshe did not mention his wife at all.
Ana Walshe went missing on January 1, 2023. Brian Walshe told authorities that she told him she had a work emergency and had to fly to Washington, DC. According to him, she took an Uber or Lyft to Logan International Airport.
Authorities could not find any record of Ana Walshe calling or getting into a rideshare. It was her coworkers who first reported her missing, not her husband. This led investigators to become suspicious of Brian Walshe.
On Sunday, January 8, 2023, Walshe was arrested for misleading police. A search of the couple’s home also found damning evidence. Walshe had searched the internet for “how to dispose of a 115-pound woman’s body.” Authorities also found blood and a knife in the basement of the home.
Walshe was awaiting sentencing for an art fraud case. Because of this, he wore an ankle monitor and had to have permission to leave his home. After his wife’s disappearance, he went on an unauthorized trip to Home Depot, where he bought $450 dollars worth of cleaning supplies.
Another search at a garbage transfer station about one hour away from the Walshes' home uncovered even more evidence. Investigators found a hacksaw, a hatchet, and more. At this time, they are treating the investigation as suspicious instead of as a missing person case.
On Monday, Walshe’s bail was set at $500,000 cash. He will appear again in court on February 9. Ana and Brian Walshe’s three children are in state custody.
