Au Pair Sentenced in Herndon Murder Case

Juliana Magalhaes pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Joseph Ryan as part of a larger scheme with her former lover Brendan Banfield.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Juliana Peres Magalhaes, a Brazilian au pair, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday for her role in a 2023 double homicide in Herndon, Virginia. Magalhaes pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter in the death of Joseph Ryan as part of a larger scheme with her former lover, Brendan Banfield, who was found guilty of two counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of Ryan and Banfield's wife, Christine Banfield.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex dynamics of intimate partner violence, the challenges of prosecuting such cases, and the difficult position au pairs can find themselves in when caught up in criminal schemes with their employers.

The details

According to prosecutors, Magalhaes and Banfield were having an affair, and Banfield wanted to 'get rid of' his wife so he could marry Magalhaes and have children with her. On February 24, 2023, Banfield posed as his wife on a fetish website and lured Ryan to the Banfield home, where Banfield shot Ryan and Magalhaes also shot him. Banfield then stabbed his wife Christine to death.

  • Magalhaes began working as an au pair in the Banfield home in October 2021.
  • Magalhaes and Banfield began a sexual relationship about 10 months later, in August 2022.
  • The killings happened at the Banfield home on February 24, 2023.
  • Magalhaes was sentenced on February 13, 2026.
  • Banfield's sentencing is scheduled for May 8, 2026.

The players

Juliana Peres Magalhaes

A Brazilian au pair who pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter in the death of Joseph Ryan as part of a larger scheme with her former lover, Brendan Banfield.

Brendan Banfield

A Herndon, Virginia resident who was found guilty of two counts of aggravated murder in the 2023 deaths of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan.

Christine Banfield

Brendan Banfield's wife, who was killed in the 2023 double homicide.

Joseph Ryan

A man who was killed in the 2023 double homicide at the Banfield home.

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What they’re saying

“I understand that I am to blame and I'm truly sorry for the pain I caused.”

— Juliana Peres Magalhaes (NBC Washington)

What’s next

Brendan Banfield's sentencing is scheduled for May 8, 2026, where he faces a sentence of life in prison for the aggravated murder conviction.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the complex dynamics of intimate partner violence and the difficult position au pairs can find themselves in when caught up in criminal schemes with their employers. It underscores the need for stronger protections and support systems for vulnerable workers in these situations.