Leah Walsh's Husband Allegedly Admits to Strangling Her

October 30, 2008

William "Bill" Walsh, 29, has allegedly confessed to murdering his wife, 29-year-old Leah Walsh, a Bethpage schoolteacher who was reported missing on Oct. 27.

According to Police in Nassau County, N.Y., the murder is believed to have occurred sometime after 2 a.m. Sunday, when Walsh returned home from a trip to Atlantic City. The couple allegedly got into an argument, during which Leah accused her husband of cheating on her. The argument then escalated into a physical confrontation, police said on Thursday.

"We allege William choked his wife to death, dumped her body in North Hill, staged a scene to make it look like her car was disabled on the highway," Nassau County police commissioner Lawrence Mulvey, said during a Thursday press conference. "[He] staged a scene to make it look [like] her abductor removed her pocket book, staged text messages of purported communications between husband and wife, staged a phony emotional scene for the media, all the while knowing her body lay among leaves and trunks in a remote area of North Hill. Mr. Walsh will not enjoy one nanosecond of freedom for the rest of his life."

Walsh allegedly gave police a seven-page confession, which they say details the events leading up to and following the murder. In addition to the confession, police say a driver in a state Transportation Department vehicle has come forward to say that they witnessed Walsh leaving the scene where Leah's abandoned car was found on Monday.

Meanwhile, Walsh's attorney, Karl Seman, has been criticizing police for the way they handled the investigation.

"Any confession that they obtained was done by tricks," Seman told the New York Post. "They focused only on him since day one."

Also speaking out on Thursday was Josh Hirschel, Leah Walsh's brother. Speaking to the media in front of his parents' house, John publicly thanked the Nassau County Police Department.

"Their professionalism and dedication and their kindness have really been nothing short of exemplary throughout this time of crisis," John said. "To our friends and family, your outpouring of support has been tremendous to us in this time of need. Without you I think this nightmare would have been completely unbearable for all of us. Leah always strove to brighten the world around her. She always lent a hand to those who most needed it. She was a wonderful person. We ask that in lieu of flowers or gifts we ask that those whose lives were most touched make a contribution to the special needs school in which she worked, which she loved . . . That's all that our family will have to say. We kindly ask to be left to grieve by ourselves and without interruption."

Contributions should be sent to the School for Language and Communication Development, 100 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Cove, NY, 11542.

Walsh has pled not guilty to second-degree murder charges. He is being held without bond in the Nassau County Jail. If convicted, he faces 25-years to life in prison.

Related Links:
Police Investigate Mysterious Disappearance of N.Y. Schoolteacher, Leah Walsh
Body Found During Search for N.Y. Schoolteacher, Leah Walsh
Body of Leah Walsh Found; Husband in Custody

Photo Credits: Contributed

Comments

[pak31]

I consider myself just an average person, yet I could tell from what little information was available that something wasn't quite right with this whole situation. I had a feeling that the husband was involved. If I could determine that, then I am sure police have a much better understanding. Of course, the defense attorney is just doing his job by trying to make his client look like he was being picked on. It's pretty cut and dry to me. I just can't understand why this is happening so much lately. Why can't people control their anger and why are so many able to commit murder so easily? I sure as heck would never want to end up in a prison the rest of my life, I would (never be in this situation)try to work it out or just go with the divorce. They had no kids. 1-2-3 be over with it. Split up your assets and be done. No, now a human being is dead and another will most likely go to jail. What a waste.

[ladysheila]

Forgive me, dear friends, for missing something here, but didn't I just read in Mr. Lohr's report that he gave a 7-page confessional? Why, then did he plead 'not guilty' to second-degree murder? Why is there a contradiction here? Is it because he pleaded 'guilty' to 'first' degree murder? Then, I could understand. We, know it wasn't purely an accident, or was it? I didn't hear any other report, but did she, after arguing, say, try to jump out of the car and the only way he could save her was to grab on to her throat with both hands, accidentally strangling her?

[cb]

"Any confession that they obtained was done by tricks," Seman told the New York Post. "They focused only on him since day one."

Historically, It's true that there have been coerced confessions from innocent people.

"police say a driver in a state Transportation Department vehicle has come forward to say that they witnessed Walsh leaving the scene where Leah's abandoned car was found on Monday."

I don't know if they were showing a similar car or walsh's car on TV, but it'd be hard to mistake a bright orange mustang. Or it would be highly coincidental that someone else would have that exact car. I haven't seen one. It looks to be a custom color, not right off the lot.

I haven't seen any other evidence linking him, but then again, not all cases leak like a sieve, as in the Anthony case. Sounds like he may have had remorse and then started to back pedal?

[Kim]

Is this the new argument given when overwhelming evidence points to your client? I am so sick of hearing the following!

Meanwhile, Walsh's attorney, Karl Seman, has been criticizing police for the way they handled the investigation.

"Any confession that they obtained was done by tricks," Seman told the New York Post. "They focused only on him since day one."

[Eyes for Lies]

The most damning information is this case comes from watching William Walsh speak himself. He gives us so many clues to his real thoughts. I talk about them on my blog if anyone is interested.