Jury reaches verdict in Brendan Banfield double murder trial

Banfield accused of killing wife and luring stranger to their home in elaborate plot

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A jury has reached a verdict in the double murder trial of Brendan Banfield, a Virginia man accused of killing his wife and a stranger he allegedly "catfished" on a fetish website in an elaborate plot to get rid of his spouse so he could be with his au pair, with whom he was having an affair. Prosecutors said Banfield stabbed his wife to death and fatally shot the man he lured to their home under false pretenses.

Why it matters

This case highlights the extreme lengths some individuals may go to in order to cover up crimes and the complex dynamics that can lead to domestic violence and murder. It also raises questions about the role of technology in facilitating such crimes and the challenges law enforcement faces in investigating these types of premeditated, multi-faceted plots.

The details

Prosecutors accused Brendan Banfield, 40, of plotting the murders with the family's au pair, 25-year-old Juliana Peres Magalhaes, who was initially charged with second-degree murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter under a plea agreement. Banfield is accused of stabbing his wife, 37-year-old nurse Christine Banfield, to death in their home and fatally shooting a man, 39-year-old Joseph Ryan, whom he allegedly "catfished" on a fetish website to lure to their home for what was believed to be a consensual fake rape scenario in order to frame the stranger for his wife's murder.

  • Brendan Banfield was charged with aggravated murder in 2024 following a monthslong investigation into the deaths.
  • The jury deliberated nearly nine hours over two days, starting Friday, before reaching a verdict on Monday afternoon.
  • The verdict is expected to be read in court at 5 p.m. ET Monday.

The players

Brendan Banfield

A 40-year-old former IRS agent accused of killing his wife and a stranger in an elaborate plot to get rid of his spouse so he could be with his au pair, with whom he was having an affair.

Christine Banfield

Brendan Banfield's 37-year-old wife, a nurse, who was stabbed to death in their home.

Juliana Peres Magalhaes

The 25-year-old au pair who was initially charged with second-degree murder in connection with the deaths but pleaded guilty to manslaughter under a plea agreement.

Joseph Ryan

A 39-year-old man whom Brendan Banfield allegedly "catfished" on a fetish website to lure to their home, where he was fatally shot.

Jenna Sands

The prosecutor who made the case that the murders were premeditated.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“He was in love with Juliana. He can pretend that this was a fling and affair -- he'd had them before, no big deal. He was in love with Juliana. He was afraid of losing her. He needed to get rid of his wife so that they could be together, so that they could marry, so that they could have those babies that he was picking out names for.”

— Jenna Sands, Prosecutor

“Is it reasonable, after a six- to eight-week affair, that someone is going to try to get rid of their companion of 19 years, wife of 12 years? Is that reasonable?”

— John Carroll, Defense attorney

“I was extremely terrified. I don't think I've ever been more panicked in my life.”

— Brendan Banfield

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Monday whether to accept the jury's verdict.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex dynamics that can lead to domestic violence and murder, as well as the challenges law enforcement faces in investigating premeditated, multi-faceted crimes involving technology and manipulation. It underscores the need for greater awareness and resources to address issues of domestic abuse and infidelity before they escalate to such tragic ends.