Topline: The former federal agent was sentenced June 5 for orchestrating a deadly trap meant to frame a stranger for his wife’s killing.
Published: June 8, 2026 6:00 am ET
Must Read
Left: Brendan Banfield, Right: Juliana Peres Magalhaes, (via Fairfax County Sheriff)
FAIRFAX, VA — A Virginia judge sentenced former federal agent Brendan Banfield to life in prison without parole for the 2023 murders of his wife and a stranger whom Banfield lured to his home to frame for the crime.
The sentencing took place four months after a jury found Banfield guilty of aggravated murder and child endangerment, as per the Associated Press. The victims were Banfield’s wife, Christine Banfield, 37, a pediatric intensive care nurse, and Joe Ryan, 39.
Prosecutors said Banfield planned the killings after starting an affair in October 2022 with his family’s live-in au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes. Banfield told Peres Magalhaes that “divorce was not an option” because of money and custody of his daughter, NBC 4 reported.
To carry out the plan, Banfield created a fake profile in his wife’s name on a fetish website, according to prosecutors. He used the profile to communicate with Ryan about a violent sexual roleplay encounter involving restraints and knives.
Peres Magalhaes testified that Banfield selected Ryan because the man seemed aggressive enough to play the required role, CNN reported. Banfield instructed Ryan to come to the house, bring supplies, and attack Christine Banfield.
On Feb. 23, 2023, Ryan entered the home. Banfield instructed Peres Magalhaes to call his wife’s phone when Ryan arrived, according to court testimony. Banfield then entered the home and shot Ryan in the head before stabbing his wife.
Peres Magalhaes testified that she crouched by the bed, covered her ears, and saw Banfield stab his wife multiple times, CNN reported. Peres Magalhaes pleaded guilty in October 2024 to manslaughter for shooting Ryan after Banfield fired the initial shot.
The couple’s 4-year-old daughter was inside the home during the attacks. Judge Penney S. Azcarate said during sentencing that Banfield took everything from his child, according to the Associated Press.
Moments before receiving his sentence, Banfield maintained that he was not responsible for his wife’s death, CNN reported.
Azcarate said the cruelty and calculation in the case reflected evil rather than impulse. She stated she felt no hesitation in ordering the life sentence.
Azcarate added that Banfield disregarded the life of his wife, lured an innocent man into a deadly trap, and never thought about the impact on his daughter.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Brendan Banfield Gets Life in Au Pair Affair Murders
The former federal agent was sentenced June 5 for orchestrating a deadly trap meant to frame a stranger for his wife’s killing.
By Kate Byrd
Published: June 8, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Brendan Banfield, Right: Juliana Peres Magalhaes, (via Fairfax County Sheriff)
FAIRFAX, VA — A Virginia judge sentenced former federal agent Brendan Banfield to life in prison without parole for the 2023 murders of his wife and a stranger whom Banfield lured to his home to frame for the crime.
The sentencing took place four months after a jury found Banfield guilty of aggravated murder and child endangerment, as per the Associated Press. The victims were Banfield’s wife, Christine Banfield, 37, a pediatric intensive care nurse, and Joe Ryan, 39.
Prosecutors said Banfield planned the killings after starting an affair in October 2022 with his family’s live-in au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes. Banfield told Peres Magalhaes that “divorce was not an option” because of money and custody of his daughter, NBC 4 reported.
To carry out the plan, Banfield created a fake profile in his wife’s name on a fetish website, according to prosecutors. He used the profile to communicate with Ryan about a violent sexual roleplay encounter involving restraints and knives.
Peres Magalhaes testified that Banfield selected Ryan because the man seemed aggressive enough to play the required role, CNN reported. Banfield instructed Ryan to come to the house, bring supplies, and attack Christine Banfield.
On Feb. 23, 2023, Ryan entered the home. Banfield instructed Peres Magalhaes to call his wife’s phone when Ryan arrived, according to court testimony. Banfield then entered the home and shot Ryan in the head before stabbing his wife.
Peres Magalhaes testified that she crouched by the bed, covered her ears, and saw Banfield stab his wife multiple times, CNN reported. Peres Magalhaes pleaded guilty in October 2024 to manslaughter for shooting Ryan after Banfield fired the initial shot.
The couple’s 4-year-old daughter was inside the home during the attacks. Judge Penney S. Azcarate said during sentencing that Banfield took everything from his child, according to the Associated Press.
Moments before receiving his sentence, Banfield maintained that he was not responsible for his wife’s death, CNN reported.
Azcarate said the cruelty and calculation in the case reflected evil rather than impulse. She stated she felt no hesitation in ordering the life sentence.
Azcarate added that Banfield disregarded the life of his wife, lured an innocent man into a deadly trap, and never thought about the impact on his daughter.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Brendan Banfield Gets Life in Au Pair Affair Murders
The former federal agent was sentenced June 5 for orchestrating a deadly trap meant to frame a stranger for his wife’s killing.
By Kate Byrd
Published: June 8, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Brendan Banfield, Right: Juliana Peres Magalhaes, (via Fairfax County Sheriff)
FAIRFAX, VA — A Virginia judge sentenced former federal agent Brendan Banfield to life in prison without parole for the 2023 murders of his wife and a stranger whom Banfield lured to his home to frame for the crime.
The sentencing took place four months after a jury found Banfield guilty of aggravated murder and child endangerment, as per the Associated Press. The victims were Banfield’s wife, Christine Banfield, 37, a pediatric intensive care nurse, and Joe Ryan, 39.
Prosecutors said Banfield planned the killings after starting an affair in October 2022 with his family’s live-in au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes. Banfield told Peres Magalhaes that “divorce was not an option” because of money and custody of his daughter, NBC 4 reported.
To carry out the plan, Banfield created a fake profile in his wife’s name on a fetish website, according to prosecutors. He used the profile to communicate with Ryan about a violent sexual roleplay encounter involving restraints and knives.
Peres Magalhaes testified that Banfield selected Ryan because the man seemed aggressive enough to play the required role, CNN reported. Banfield instructed Ryan to come to the house, bring supplies, and attack Christine Banfield.
On Feb. 23, 2023, Ryan entered the home. Banfield instructed Peres Magalhaes to call his wife’s phone when Ryan arrived, according to court testimony. Banfield then entered the home and shot Ryan in the head before stabbing his wife.
Peres Magalhaes testified that she crouched by the bed, covered her ears, and saw Banfield stab his wife multiple times, CNN reported. Peres Magalhaes pleaded guilty in October 2024 to manslaughter for shooting Ryan after Banfield fired the initial shot.
The couple’s 4-year-old daughter was inside the home during the attacks. Judge Penney S. Azcarate said during sentencing that Banfield took everything from his child, according to the Associated Press.
Moments before receiving his sentence, Banfield maintained that he was not responsible for his wife’s death, CNN reported.
Azcarate said the cruelty and calculation in the case reflected evil rather than impulse. She stated she felt no hesitation in ordering the life sentence.
Azcarate added that Banfield disregarded the life of his wife, lured an innocent man into a deadly trap, and never thought about the impact on his daughter.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
