A man from Virginia has been indicted for the murder of his wife and another man in their Fairfax County home. Brendan Banfield faces charges of aggravated murder and felony firearm use in relation to the February 2023 killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan. Banfield was arrested while driving in Fairfax County, and his home was being searched by authorities. His attorney has not yet commented on the charges.
The arrest of Brendan Banfield comes almost a year after Juliana Peres Magalhães, the family’s au pair, was charged with second-degree murder in connection to Ryan’s death. Magalhães is set to stand trial in November, and the prosecution asserts that her case will not be affected by Banfield’s indictment.
Law enforcement officials revealed that on the day of the killings, Magalhães made several 911 calls, reporting an emergency involving a stabbing and shooting. When authorities arrived at the Banfields’ residence in Herndon, they found Ryan deceased from gunshot wounds and Christine Banfield severely injured from stab wounds. Christine later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
According to Magalhães, she and Brendan Banfield had left the house that morning, leaving Christine alone. Upon their return, they allegedly encountered Ryan holding a knife to Christine’s throat, resulting in a violent altercation where Ryan was shot. The investigation suggests a deeper connection between Magalhães and Banfield, who were suspected of being romantically involved leading up to the tragic events.
Prosecutors have raised doubts about Magalhães’ version of events, highlighting inconsistencies and disputing Ryan’s alleged violent behavior. The court hearings revealed that Magalhães and Banfield allegedly continued their relationship after the murders. Banfield is scheduled for arraignment and is currently being held without bail at the Fairfax County jail.
