Au pair accused in love triangle murder pleads guilty to manslaughter

FAIRFAX, Va. — Juliana Peres Magalhaes was back in a Fairfax County courtroom Tuesday morning for a plea hearing. The former au pair is charged with second-degree murder, and was set to go on trial on Nov. 12, for her alleged role in the killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan on Feb. 24, 2023.

However, on Tuesday, Peres Magalhaes entered a pleaded guilty to manslaughter. She has been behind bars since October 2023.

Prosecutors alleged Peres Magalhaes and Brendan Banfield were having an affair months prior to the deadly shooting. Records in court showed photos of the same room after the killings with new framed photos of the two.

According to prosecutors, when Brendan Banfield told Peres Magalhaes he wanted to get rid of his wife, the two started planning her murder. 

Prosecutors have accused the two of luring Joseph Ryan to the home through a post on a website for sexual fetishes. The attorneys alleged that the conversations confirmed they would be doing a violent sexual role play and Ryan brought a knife with him.

Peres Magalhaes told prosecutors that she tried to back out but Brendan Banfield told her it was too late. He bought a gun and gave it to the au pair to use, as well as taking her to the range to practice shooting, according to the prosecution.

Prosecutors said the plan was for Peres Magalhaes to call Christine and Brendan Banfield once Ryan entered the house. She did call Christine Banfield's phone, which went to voicemail because Brendan Banfield cut it off and put it in the kitchen drawer, attorneys said. Brendan Banfield was waiting at a nearby McDonald's, the prosecution continued. When he got back home after the au pair's call, they both took the Banfields' child down to the basement, before going to the bedroom. They claim they found Ryan holding down Christine Banfield. 

Brendan Banfield then yelled "police" and shot Ryan in the head, prosecutors said. Peres Magalhaes called 911, while Brendan Banfield stabbed Christine Banfield, Ryan was still moving and that's when Peres Malghaes shot him.

In court Tuesday, prosecutors recommended a sentence of time served, but asked to hold off on the sentencing until after Brendan Banfield's trial to see how cooperative Peres Magalhaes is in that case. 

Brendan Banfield's trial is set to begin on Feb. 3, and last up to four weeks. Regardless of the recommendation, a judge can reject that sentencing recommendation and sentence her to up to 10 years in prison. 

Family members for Ryan were also present at court Tuesday, and attorneys said they agreed to the terms of Peres Magalhaes' plea deal. 

Since day one, prosecutors had only alleged that Peres Magalhaes was responsible for Ryan's death. 

In September, Brendan Banfield was arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder.

Brendan Banfield is facing four counts of aggravated murder and one count of using a firearm during the commission of a felony. Only two people were killed that day in 2023.

"The reason we did that is, it's very lawyerly and technically, but essentially it boils down to in the aggravated murder statute, there are a number of different options to prove that," said Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano. "When we took a look at what we intend to present at trial, we believe our presentation of evidence can possibly hit both of those different subsection elements."

Sentencing for Peres Magalhaes is scheduled for March 21, 2025.