Virginia Man Convicted in Double Murder Plot Involving Au Pair

A Virginia jury has convicted Brendan Banfield of aggravated murder for the deaths of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan in February 2023. Prosecutors argued that Banfield, a former IRS law enforcement officer, conspired with the family's au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, to eliminate his wife and frame Ryan.

According to the prosecution, Banfield and Peres Magalhães created a fake profile on a fetish website, posing as Christine, to lure Ryan to their home under the pretense of a consensual violent sexual encounter. Once Ryan arrived, Banfield fatally stabbed his wife and shot Ryan, staging the scene to appear as if Ryan had attacked Christine. Peres Magalhães testified that she assisted in the scheme, stating, "He knew that we needed to have some alibis."

Banfield denied the allegations, claiming he acted in self-defense upon discovering Ryan attacking his wife. He acknowledged his affair with Peres Magalhães but maintained that there was no plan to harm Christine. "There was no plan," Banfield testified. "At this point our relationship is maybe six to eight weeks old. I think that it's an absurd line of questioning for something that is not serious, that a plan was made to get rid of my wife. That is absolutely crazy."

Peres Magalhães, initially charged with second-degree murder, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2024 and cooperated with prosecutors. She testified that Banfield planned to "get rid of" his wife so they could be together.

The jury deliberated for several days before delivering the guilty verdict. Banfield is scheduled for sentencing on May 8 and faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.