Virginia Au Pair Indicted in Connection with Murder of Employer's Husband

Juliana Magalhaes, a Brazilian au pair, is charged with second-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon in the death of Joseph Ryan, who stabbed her affair partner's wife, Christine Banfield, at the couple's home in Virginia.

A bucolic neighborhood in Herndon, Virginia, became the scene of a tragic double murder in February 2023, involving a Brazilian au pair, a wife and mother, and a man who stabbed her to death.

Juliana Peres Magalhaes, 23, was charged in October 2023 with second-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon in the death of Joseph Ryan, 38. The charges stem from the February 24th incident at the home of Christine Banfield, where Magalhaes was an au pair.

Virginia Au Pair Indicted in Connection with Murder of Employer's Husband

On the fateful day, Magalhaes told police she discovered an unfamiliar car in the driveway upon returning home from an outing with her employers' daughter. She informed Brendan Banfield, Christine's husband and a former IRS agent, who joined her in confronting the situation.

Upon entering the house, Magalhaes and Brendan reportedly encountered Ryan holding Christine at knifepoint in their bedroom. Magalhaes and Brendan allegedly both shot Ryan while he was holding the knife to Christine.

Virginia Au Pair Indicted in Connection with Murder of Employer's Husband

Christine died from stab wounds at the hospital, while Ryan succumbed to injuries sustained from the gunfire. The Banfields' daughter was present during the incident.

Investigators uncovered a complex web of details surrounding the events leading up to the murders. Magalhaes and Brendan were reportedly involved in an affair, and prosecutors allege they visited a shooting range weeks before the incident.

Virginia Au Pair Indicted in Connection with Murder of Employer's Husband

Further investigation revealed a computer at the Banfield home linked to an account on a sexual fetish website. While the account contained a photo of Christine in a bathing suit, it did not indicate any involvement in knife play or BDSM.

Ryan, it is believed, also had an account on the same website and had been communicating with the person accessing the account from the Banfield computer.

Virginia Au Pair Indicted in Connection with Murder of Employer's Husband

Magalhaes' trial is scheduled for November. Her attorney maintains that Brendan fired first at Ryan and asked her to retrieve another gun. Magalhaes, he says, believed Ryan posed a threat to her employers.

As the case unfolds, authorities continue to investigate the events that led to the tragic double murder. Brendan Banfield has invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and is no longer employed by the IRS.

Virginia Au Pair Indicted in Connection with Murder of Employer's Husband

In a heart-wrenching email written from jail to her mother, Magalhaes expressed her despair, stating: "I am tired of this place, this situation. I am unhappy, and nothing makes me happy. I just want to get out of here and go back home to be with you guys."