Virginia Man Charged in Wife and Man’s Murder Nearly a Year After Allegations Against His Au Pair
A Virginia man has been charged in the 2023 deaths of his wife and an unconnected man, about a year after the married couple’s au pair was accused of one of the murders.
Brendan Banfield, 39, was indicted by a Fairfax County grand jury on four counts of aggravated murder and one count of using a handgun to commit a felony, according to a press statement issued Monday, September 16. He is set to be arraigned on Thursday, September 19. People were unable to immediately name an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
Prosecutors say Banfield stabbed his wife, Christine Banfield, 37, and shot Joseph Ryan, 38, on February 24, 2023, at their Herndon, Va., home. The allegations come nearly a year after the husband and wife’s live-in au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes, 24, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and a firearm offense about Ryan’s shooting death, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Peres Magalhaes called 911 that morning, and authorities came to the home about 8 a.m. She allegedly told authorities that “a friend of hers was hurt,” before a guy, who police said was Banfield’s spouse, answered the phone, according to PEOPLE.
Inside the home, police said they discovered Christine, a mother and pediatric nurse, with upper-body stab wounds and Ryan, who had gunshot wounds nearby.
Christine was transported to a hospital and proclaimed deceased, while Ryan was declared dead on the scene.
Police previously stated that they saw no evidence of a break-in and had no idea why Ryan was in the residence that morning, only that he was “known” to Christine.
According to NBC Washington, the au pair stated that she and Christine’s husband went out that morning and when she returned home, she noticed an automobile she didn’t recognize. She summoned her husband, who came to the house.
Nearly seven months after the killings, in October 2023, Peres Magalhaes, a Brazilian native, was arrested on charges of fatally shooting Ryan. Prosecutors said she has been in detention since her arrest. According to online court records, her criminal trial is scheduled to begin on November 11.
Peres Magalhaes’ counsel has previously stated that she shot Ryan in self-defense, according to sources. They also alleged that the husband had urged her to shoot the man, according to WUSA.
According to NBC, authorities believe the au pair and husband earlier claimed Ryan was abusing Christine, prompting the husband to shoot Ryan.
There have been no charges brought to Christine’s death until recently. According to the prosecutor’s office, Brendan’s aggravated murder accusation involves a life sentence without parole, while the firearm offense brings a mandatory minimum of three years in prison.
“Early last year, a double murder devastated two families and shocked our entire community,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano. “I will ensure that my office puts forward the strongest case possible at trial and that we continue to seek justice for the victims and their families.”
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