Judge denies bond for husband charged in double homicide, alleged plot with au pair

FAIRFAX, Va. — A judge denied bond Friday for the husband accused of murdering his wife, Christine Banfield, and another man, Joseph Ryan inside a Fairfax County home.

Brendan Banfield, 39, appeared in person Friday morning inside a Fairfax County courtroom. The judge denied him bond, calling Brendan Banfield a flight risk and danger to his 6-year old daughter.

Banfield was charged Sept. 16 with four counts of aggravated murder and one count of using a firearm during the commission of a felony, despite only two people being killed. 

Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano explained the multiple aggravated murder charges: "We wanted to cover all our bases and make sure the jury had every option when looking at the evidence." Prosecutors are focusing on ensuring the jury can evaluate all the legal grounds under the aggravated murder statute when Banfield’s trial begins. 

The February 24, 2023, killings sent shockwaves through the community. On that day, police found the bodies of Joseph Ryan and Christine Banfield in the Banfield family home. The investigation initially led to the arrest of Juliana Peres Magalhaes, a Brazilian au pair employed by the Banfields, who had been living with the family. Peres Magalhaes was charged with second-degree murder in Ryan's death, though no charges were initially filed for the death of Christine Banfield. Her trial in Ryan’s death is scheduled for November.

The case took a stunning turn when it was revealed that Peres Magalhaes and Brendan Banfield were romantically involved. Court records show that in the months leading up to the murders, the pair had visited a shooting range together, and Brendan had purchased a gun later used in the killings.

According to court testimony, Peres Magalhaes described the events leading up to the tragedy: she had returned to the Banfield home after planning a zoo trip with the family’s 4-year-old daughter. Upon finding an unfamiliar car in the driveway, she called both Christine and Brendan. After Brendan arrived at the house, the two went inside, where Peres Magalhaes alleged that Brendan found Christine in a compromising situation with Joseph Ryan.

What followed was a chaotic series of events. Peres Magalhaes claimed she heard shouts to "drop the knife" and, under Brendan's direction, retrieved a second gun from the family safe. She later confessed to shooting Ryan at Brendan’s instruction, killing him. Brendan, who initially told authorities he had acted in self-defense after Ryan stabbed Christine, has now been charged with murder.

The case, which had gone without resolution for over a year, has raised questions about the role of the au pair and the premeditated nature of the crime. While Brendan Banfield and Peres Magalhaes initially claimed self-defense, new evidence, including details of their romantic relationship and the gun purchases, suggest a more calculated plot. 

Prosecutors have alleged someone used Christine Banfield’s computer to create a profile on a fetish website. They have not said who they believe created that profile, but said that is where Joseph Ryan comes into this bizarre case. The day of the February 2023 murder, investigators say Ryan came to the home thinking he was there to play out a rape fantasy.

Friday, Brendan Banfield’s defense attorney asked the judge to grant his client bond. The defense argued Banfield was not a flight risk as the role caregiver of his young daughter and offered to be under GPS monitoring.

The prosecution disagreed, citing the nature of the crimes Banfield is accused of committing. Friday, prosecutors submitted multiple pieces of evidence, including photos of Peres Magalhaes and Banfield taking trips, and a framed photo of the couple. They also said Banfield and the former au pair have still been communicating from behind bars, discussing places to live in Brazil.

Brendan Banfield’s legal troubles now include a range of charges as prosecutors continue to build their case. The denied bond keeps him in the same detention center where Peres Magalhaes has been held since her 2023 arrest. Both face their day in court for the deadly events that unfolded on Stable Brook Way.

Prosecutors said Banfield’s affair with the au pair was not the first affair. They said multiple women have come forward claiming Banfield promised to leave his wife, saying it would be easier if his wife were not around.

Banfield’s trial date is set for February 2025.