Dedham, MA – Brian Walshe, accused of killing his wife Ana Walshe and dismembering her body, was assaulted Thursday night at the Norfolk County jail in Dedham, authorities confirmed. Walshe, 43, was treated at a Boston hospital and later returned to the facility.
Inmate Assault Details
The Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office reported that the attack occurred just before 10 p.m. inside one of the jail’s housing units. The assailant used a makeshift blunt instrument, prompting correctional officers to act immediately to subdue the attacker and provide first aid.
“The individual who was assaulted was conscious and alert and taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston for treatment,” the sheriff’s office said. “He was returned to our facility overnight.”
The identity of the attacker has not been released, and the assault remains under investigation.
High-Profile Inmate Challenges
Former Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson commented on the difficulty of protecting high-profile inmates like Walshe, comparing the situation to the incarceration of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez.
“In cases like Hernandez, inmates were placed in secure units to minimize contact with the general population,” Hodgson said.
Authorities are expected to reassess Walshe’s security level, while the attacker will likely face segregation and additional charges.
“Other inmates would likely know what his case was about,” Hodgson noted, explaining that television and devices like iPads make information readily accessible inside the facility.
Ana Walshe’s Disappearance
Ana Walshe was last seen on January 1, 2023, after New Year’s Eve celebrations. Brian Walshe claimed she left the house to catch an Uber or Lyft to the airport for a work emergency, but there is no evidence she boarded a plane.
Prosecutors reported a series of gruesome Google searches on Walshe’s son’s iPad around the time of Ana’s disappearance, including inquiries about body disposal and dismemberment. Surveillance footage also showed him purchasing cleaning supplies at Home Depot, including tarps, tape, mops, and buckets.
Investigators later found blood and a damaged knife in the basement of the Walshe home, which led to Brian Walshe’s arrest.
Insurance and Investigation Motives
Prosecutors allege that Walshe suspected Ana of having an affair and had hired a private investigator to follow her days before her murder. Ana Walshe also held a $2.7 million life insurance policy, with her husband as the sole beneficiary.
Brian Walshe’s Defense
Walshe’s defense has challenged the legality of the Google searches being used as evidence. His lawyers have also requested emails and text messages from former Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who was fired after sending inappropriate messages during previous investigations.
Walshe is currently serving a three-year sentence for art fraud while awaiting trial for his wife’s murder, scheduled for October 2025.
National Attention on the Case
The Walshe case has attracted national media coverage, given the alleged gruesome nature of the crime and the high-profile attention surrounding the investigation. Authorities continue to monitor Walshe’s safety inside the jail as the trial approaches.
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