A suburban man is currently facing aggravated murder charges for the deaths of his wife, Christine Banfield, and another man, Joseph Ryan, amidst a troubling affair. Prosecutors allege that Brendan Banfield orchestrated a chilling plan to execute his wife at their home in northern Virginia on February 24, 2023.
Affair and Premeditation
Brendan Banfield’s affair with 21-year-old Brazilian au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, began in August 2022, about ten months after she started working in the Banfield household. Testimony reveals that Banfield expressed a desire to marry Magalhães but claimed he needed to eliminate his wife first.
- Banfield feared a divorce would financially benefit his wife.
- He aimed to retain custody of their four-year-old daughter.
The Deceptive Scheme
In an elaborate scheme, Banfield and Magalhães allegedly created a fake online persona for Christine on a fetish website. This deception allowed them to arrange for Ryan to enter their home under the pretense of participating in a staged act involving restraints and a knife.
- Ryan was instructed to arrive while Christine was asleep.
- Banfield and Magalhães made preparations, including changing the home’s windows for soundproofing and disposing of their phones.
The Day of the Killings
On that fateful morning, Magalhães left with the child, while Banfield waited at a nearby location until he received a signal from her. Upon returning home, they discovered Ryan attacking Christine. Chaos ensued as Banfield allegedly shot Ryan and then attacked his wife.
Initially, Magalhães called 911 but hung up after being urged to do so by Banfield. She ultimately witnessed the violent attack and was later involved in the shooting of Ryan as well.
Legal Consequences and Testimonies
Magalhães pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in 2024 after cooperating with the investigation. She will be sentenced following the conclusion of Banfield’s trial. The defense claimed that her plea was a result of a deal, asserting that she changed her story to implicate Banfield.
- Banfield is also facing charges of child abuse and felony child cruelty related to the incident.
- Joseph Ryan’s mother expressed grief and disbelief regarding her son’s death, noting his non-violent character.
The trial continues to unfold, shedding light on the tragic circumstances surrounding this case, often referred to as the “au pair affair.” The prosecution emphasizes the premeditated nature of Banfield’s actions, while the defense seeks to unravel the prosecution’s narrative.
