Needham Stabbing Suspect Spent Time In Psychiatric Hospital

NEEDHAM, MA — A Needham man charged with killing his girlfriend and stabbing his parents during a family party was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, according to court documents.

Court records reviewed by the Boston Globe state that Benjamin Walsh spent time a McLean Hospital in Belmont and he checked himself out of the psychiatric hospital last Thursday, a relative told police.

Walsh was arraigned on attempted murder and murder charges from a hospital bed at Milford Regional Medical Center Monday. His defense attorney, Randall Powers, said Walsh has major mental health issues and the violent outburst was out of character.

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Police responded to a report of a stabbing at Primavera in Millis just before 7 p.m. Saturday. Officers at the scene found a woman, later identified as Walsh's mom, with banquet liens held to her abdomen and four to five men restraining Walsh, according to a police report.

Multiple witnesses told police that Walsh entered the restaurant while yelling profanities and wielding a knife. He allegedly lunged at his mother, stabbed her, and did the same to his father. Both parents were taken to hospitals. His father is out of the hospital while his mother remains in serious condition.

As Walsh was taken to the police cruiser and into custody, he allegedly yelled, "F*** you b******, I'm going to kill you all." He also allegedly told at least one person at the restaurant that he killed his girlfriend.

A short time later, officers were advised to conduct a wellness check at Walsh's Needham apartment. Police found Walsh's girlfriend, 20-year-old Olivia Bergstrom, dead from an apparent stabbing. Police allege that Bergstrom was stabbed 20 times, including 13 times in the back.

Walsh, a Millis native, lived with Bergstrom in Needham for about six months. He is currently being held without bail.

Image Credit: Art Illman//The Metro West Daily News via AP, Pool