Au Pair Sentenced to 10 Years for Virginia Double Murder

Juliana Peres Magalhães pleaded guilty to manslaughter for her role in the killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Brazilian au pair Juliana Peres Magalhães was sentenced to 10 years in prison with two years of probation for her role in a northern Virginia double murder plot. Magalhães pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2024 for the 2023 killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan, which were carried out alongside former IRS agent Brendan Banfield, with whom Magalhães was having an affair.

Why it matters

The case highlights the tragic consequences of an affair and a twisted murder plot, as well as the challenges of the au pair system and the need for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable workers and families.

The details

According to prosecutors, Magalhães and Banfield created a fake social media profile posing as Christine Banfield to lure Ryan, a 39-year-old stranger, into a 'rape fantasy' scenario. When Ryan arrived at the Banfield home, Banfield and Magalhães killed him. They then claimed they came home to find Ryan stabbing Christine Banfield to death, and that they each fired a shot, killing Ryan. Magalhães later admitted to firing the second, fatal shot.

  • On February 24, 2023, the murders of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan took place.
  • In October 2023, Magalhães was charged with the second-degree murder of Ryan.
  • In 2024, Magalhães pleaded guilty to manslaughter in exchange for a lesser charge.
  • On February 13, 2026, Magalhães was sentenced to 10 years in prison with two years of probation.
  • Banfield's sentencing hearing is set for May 8, 2026.

The players

Juliana Peres Magalhães

A 25-year-old Brazilian au pair who pleaded guilty to manslaughter for her role in the 2023 double murder.

Brendan Banfield

A former IRS agent who was convicted of the 2023 murders of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan.

Christine Banfield

The 37-year-old wife of Brendan Banfield, who was murdered in 2023.

Joseph Ryan

A 39-year-old man who was lured to the Banfield home and killed in 2023.

Deirdre Fisher

The mother of Joseph Ryan, who delivered a victim impact statement during Magalhães' sentencing.

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What they’re saying

“I have caused pain that cannot be measured. I pray for forgiveness from the Benson family, and from the Joseph Ryan family.”

— Juliana Peres Magalhães

“There is nothing I could possibly do to make it up to you, for your loss. There are so many regrets, this is my biggest. It's a tragedy I have been carrying with me, and I know I can never take back the devastation of what I have done.”

— Juliana Peres Magalhães

“I say good morning to him each day when I turn on the tree's lights, and I tell him I love him each night when I turn off the lights.”

— Deirdre Fisher, Mother of Joseph Ryan

“He was fun-loving and loved from the beginning. He was inquisitive, curious, smart, charming, and so dang talkative.”

— Sangeeta Ryan, Aunt of Joseph Ryan

What’s next

Brendan Banfield's sentencing hearing is set for May 8, 2026, where he is expected to receive a sentence of life in prison without parole.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for stronger safeguards and oversight within the au pair system to protect vulnerable workers and families from the devastating consequences of abuse of power, manipulation, and violence.