In an intense development during Brian Walshe’s murder trial, DNA evidence linked to his wife, Ana Walshe, was discovered on various tools, including a hacksaw and a hatchet. This revelation came from a forensic expert’s testimony as prosecutors presented their case against Brian, who is accused of murdering Ana.

Saman Saleem, a DNA unit supervisor at the state police crime laboratory, shared his findings on Tuesday. He reported that multiple items retrieved from a trash collection site in Peabody, Massachusetts, were linked to Ana through DNA analysis. Among the items were a Tyvek suit, sections of a rug, unidentified tissue, slippers, and both the blade and handle of a hacksaw, alongside the head and handle of a hatchet.

The prosecution alleges that Brian, now 50 years old, murdered his wife after discovering her extramarital affair. They argue he believed eliminating her would improve his chances of avoiding federal prison for art fraud, as he would then become the sole guardian of their three children.

Court documents reveal Brian was the beneficiary of Ana’s $2.7 million life insurance policy. Additionally, he faced a substantial financial burden, owing nearly $500,000 in restitution related to his federal conviction.

A recent courtroom scene captured Brian Walshe entering Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts, on December 1, 2025. He was seen holding papers and a rosary, highlighting the gravity of the charges he faces.

Saleem, a forensic science and DNA unit supervisor at the Massachusetts State Police crime lab, delivered the most damaging evidence Tuesday. She confirmed that the items recovered contained single-source female DNA that matched Ana’s profile.

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.