Love Triangle, Betrayal, and Murder: Shocking Virginia Crime Unfolds

A Virginia man faces serious charges following the tragic deaths of his wife and another man, events that unfolded in a sinister love triangle involving the family’s Brazilian au pair. The case, which has captivated the community, reveals a dark plot allegedly orchestrated by the husband and the nanny.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis and Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano recently announced the indictment of Brendan Banfield for his role in the 2023 double homicide in Reston, Virginia, about 20 miles from Washington, D.C.

Authorities believe Banfield and the nanny, Juliana Peres Magalhaes, were romantically involved and concocted a plan to eliminate his wife.

Banfield faces four counts of aggravated murder and a charge of using a firearm during a felony. He is currently held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

Davis remarked at a press conference, “I stood in the middle of a cul-de-sac street in Fairfax County and described the deaths of two persons inside of a residential home. Now, 570 days later, we know the deaths of Joseph Ryan and Christine Banfield were both, in fact, murders.”

He continued, “This much is clear, we have evidence to now allege that Christine Banfield’s life was unlawfully taken, and Joseph Ryan’s life was unlawfully taken.”

The Banfield home became a crime scene on February 24, 2023, when police responded to a distressing 911 call made by Brendan Banfield and Magalhaes. Officers found Christine Banfield, 37, upstairs with severe stab wounds and Joseph Ryan, 39, dead from gunshot injuries.

Christine was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Police recovered two firearms and a knife from the scene. Magalhaes claimed that she and Brendan walked in on Ryan attacking a naked Christine with a knife, prompting Brendan to shoot the “intruder.”

Investigators, however, suspect a premeditated plot by Brendan and Magalhaes, who were allegedly lovers. The scheme involved luring Ryan to their home through a fetish dating site.

Prosecutors revealed that Ryan was drawn to the Banfield residence by a profile on FetLife, a social network for the BDSM, kink, and fetish communities. The profile, under the name “Annastasia9,” arranged a rendezvous with Ryan, but authorities have yet to disclose who created it.

Davis clarified, “We know Brendan Banfield and Juliana Magalhaes, the family au pair, were involved in a romantic relationship at the time of the murders.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kelsey Gill stated that their affair began “several months” before the murders, supported by photos found on Magalhaes’ phone.

Further implicating evidence includes a visit to a shooting range by the pair weeks before the murders. Banfield purchased a Glock from the range on January 28, 2023.

Following the deaths, Brendan and Magalhaes reportedly continued their relationship. Magalhaes was arrested in October 2023 for Ryan’s murder and had moved into the main bedroom of the Banfield home. Authorities noted a framed picture of her and Brendan on the nightstand and her clothes in Christine’s former closet.

Magalhaes faces charges of second-degree murder and using a firearm during a felony, and she is also held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

“Early last year, a double murder devastated two families and shocked our entire community,” Commonwealth Attorney Descano stated. “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.”

Brendan Banfield is scheduled for arraignment later this week.

Watch a local news report about the incident below:

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