Au pair sentenced to 10 years for role in double homicide
The case of VA v. Juliana Peres Magalhães is part of a larger double murder trial involving Brendan Banfield, Magalhães' former lover and employer. Magalhães, a Brazilian au pair, was involved in an affair with Banfield, who allegedly plotted to kill his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan. Magalhães has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and is cooperating with prosecutors as a key witness against Banfield. Banfield has been found guilty of aggravated murder. Magalhães is awaiting sentencing, which will occur after Banfield's trial concludes. She faces potential deportation to Brazil.
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Track this story2026
5 updates
2026
5 updatesJuliana Peres Magalhães, an au pair who plotted with Brendan Banfield in a double-murder scheme, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. She pleaded guilty to a downgraded manslaughter charge in connection with the February 2023 killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan. Prosecutors had recommended immediate release for her cooperation.
via washingtonpost.com·wusa9.com·lakelandtimes.com·newhavenregister.com
Brendan Banfield has been convicted of the murders of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan. Prosecutors stated that Banfield orchestrated the killings with his lover, Juliana Peres Magalhães. Sentencing for Banfield is scheduled for May 8.
via wusa9.com·foxnews.com
Magalhães faced intense cross-examination as a key witness in Banfield's trial.
Magalhães continued her testimony, detailing the events and her role. She stated that her health in jail and isolation pushed her to cooperate with authorities.
Brendan Banfield's trial began, with opening statements presented. Magalhães testified that she and Banfield had plotted to kill his wife and Ryan, whom they lured from a fetish website to frame as an intruder.
2024
5 updates
2024
5 updatesJuliana Peres Magalhães has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with a double-murder scheme. Prosecutors allege the plot aimed to frame another man for the stabbing death of Christine Banfield. Magalhães' plea follows her cooperation with authorities.
via cbsnews.com
Juliana Peres Magalhães pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the shooting death of Joseph Ryan on February 24, 2023. Ryan was killed at the residence where Magalhães worked as an au pair for Brendan and Christine Banfield. Magalhães is 24 years old.
Magalhães provided a recorded interview to prosecutors detailing the alleged plot with Banfield, as part of her plea deal.
Brendan Banfield was indicted by a Fairfax County grand jury on charges of aggravated murder and use of a firearm in connection with the deaths of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan.
Prosecutors presented records showing that two months before the shooting, Magalhães and Brendan Banfield visited a shooting range. A few weeks later, Banfield purchased a gun that was later used to shoot Joseph Ryan.
2023
3 updates
2023
3 updatesMagalhães wrote a letter from jail expressing her distress and love for Banfield, stating she would take the blame for both of them.
Juliana Peres Magalhães was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the deaths.
Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan were killed in their Herndon, Virginia home. Brendan Banfield claimed Ryan was an intruder attacking his wife, but prosecutors allege Banfield and Magalhães lured Ryan to the house as part of a plot to kill Christine and frame Ryan.
2022
1 update
2022
1 updateBrendan Banfield allegedly expressed interest in getting rid of his wife, Christine Banfield, to Juliana Peres Magalhães around this time. He reportedly stated that divorce was not an option and he was considering other ways to remove her from the picture.
2023
Story began · 3 years, 2 mo ago