A man who had an affair with the late Massachusetts mother Anna Walsh testified on Thursday, revealing his intention to inform her suspected killer, Brian Walsh, about their relationship. He also expressed that Anna was “disappointed” she wouldn’t get to spend more time with her three sons.
William Fastow took the stand in Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts, during the fourth day of Walsh’s murder trial. He recounted how his relationship with Anna began just a few weeks after she started splitting her time between Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., for a new job.
Fastow shared that while Anna was busy balancing her new work life, she remained at home in Cohasset, Massachusetts, tending to their young boys, depending on Walsh as their main caregiver due to his home confinement stemming from a federal art fraud charge.
He remarked that Anna felt a lack of involvement with her sons, relying heavily on Brian for their care. Fastow indicated that Anna had made the decision to tell Brian about their affair, believing it important for him to hear it from her directly to maintain her integrity.
Fastow testified that they became fast friends as Anna sought a townhouse in Washington, D.C. They quickly evolved from friends to developing a closer bond, discussing personal struggles and life challenges.
Although Fastow never met Brian in person, he learned of Walsh through a Zoom call during Anna’s home search. He became aware of Brian’s legal woes, which had disturbed Anna and Brian’s marriage. The complications with the townhouse insurance emerged as a crucial issue related to Brian’s criminal case.
Fastow outlined that Anna was planning to tell Brian about the affair, yet he did not hide it from her husband. He noted Anna’s expectations for Walsh and the boys to relocate to Washington, D.C., in 2022, though delays in his sentencing extended their relationship timeline.
Fastow, who was separated from his wife at the time, shared that they spent significant holidays together, and after a cancellation of travel plans, Anna drove back home from Massachusetts. He intended to discuss their future on January 4 but abruptly lost contact with her New Year’s Day.
On January 4, Fastow received a voicemail from Brian, indicating that he was looking for Anna, which he later played for the jury. He described tension in Anna and Brian’s marriage, particularly centered around Anna’s absence during family gatherings.
Walsh is accused of murdering Anna around New Year’s in 2023, dismembering her body, and disposing of it, which was never located. Prosecutors argue that Anna’s affair and Brian’s legal troubles contributed to the motive for the alleged crime.
Fastow testified that the ongoing criminal issues added substantial pressure to Anna’s marriage, with particular strain coming from the inability to resolve those legal challenges. He detailed how financial disputes over spending further fueled arguments between Anna and Brian.
Walsh, who admitted to misleading police regarding the events leading up to the trial, argues that Anna’s death was sudden and unexplained, claiming he acted out of panic to protect their sons.
