Massachusettes husband arrested in wife’s missing person’s case

The husband of a missing Massachusetts mom was taken into custody Sunday in connection with her disappearance, over a week after the woman vanished.

Brian Walshe was arrested and charged with misleading police seven days after his wife, Ana Walshe, failed to board her plane to Washington, DC, according to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office.

Walshe’s gray Volvo minivan was also apparently taken as evidence, video of the arrest shows.

Ana — a real estate agent and mom-of-three — disappeared after she hopped in an Uber on New Year’s Day bound for Logan International Airport in Boston.

“During the course of that investigation, police developed probable cause to believe that her husband Brian Walshe had committed the crime of misleading police investigators,” police said.

Brian Walshe reported Ana missing Wednesday, three days after she disappeared. She had ordered a ride to the airport last Sunday at 4 a.m., but never made it on the plane, police said.

A friend said Ana had been traveling to Washington DC for a real estate job.

“Honestly, I’m scared. Really, really scared,” friend Alissa Kirby said.

“She’s a loving and loyal wife and mother of three beautiful boys. I know in my heart, that of her choice, she would not go a day without speaking to her husband and her kids.”

Her real estate agency reported her missing the same day.

As many as 20 troopers from a specialized unit trained in search and rescue operations, three police K9 teams, and a police helicopter searched the family’s home Saturday, according to NBC Boston.

State police divers also searched a small stream and drained the pool at Walshe’s home.

A fire broke out at the family’ former home on Jerusalem Road in Cohasset on Friday, NBC Boston reported. However, officials believe the blaze does not appear to be in connection to the missing mother.

The fire was accidental, officials reported. It originated in the area of damaged piping connected to a natural gas fireplace insert and no one was injured.

Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley said it was common for Walshe to work long hours without contacting her family, which may have accounted for the gap between her disappearance and her husband’s call to the police.

Ana is described as a 5 feet 2 inches tall woman and 115 pounds. She has brown hair, brown eyes, an olive complexion and speaks with an Eastern European accent

Police will likely reveal additional facts on the case at Brian’s arraignment Monday, police said.