American Man Convicted of Double Murder in Au Pair Affair Case
An American man from Virginia has been found guilty of murdering his wife and another man in a complex plot involving his family's Brazilian au pair, with the case revealing a web of deception and illicit relationships. Brendan Banfield, aged 40, was convicted on Monday, 2 February 2026, after a trial that hinged on testimony from his former lover, Juliana Magalhaes, who had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2024.
Fabricated Story Unravels in Court
Banfield initially told police that he discovered Joseph Ryan attacking his wife, Christine Banfield, with a knife on the morning of 24 February 2023 at their family home. He claimed to have shot Mr Ryan in self-defence, and that Magalhaes, the 25-year-old au pair, also fired shots. However, prosecutors argued this account was too good to be true, presenting evidence that Banfield orchestrated the scheme to eliminate his wife.
It emerged during the trial that Banfield and Magalhaes had been engaged in a secret affair, which they used to impersonate Christine Banfield, a paediatric intensive care nurse, on a website for sexual fetishes. According to Magalhaes' testimony, they lured Mr Ryan to the house under the pretence of a sexual encounter involving a knife, staging the scene to make it appear as though they had intervened to stop an intruder attacking Ms Banfield.
Key Testimony and Evidence Presented
Magalhaes, who cooperated with prosecutors in exchange for a potentially reduced sentence, testified against Banfield, detailing their plot. In her closing arguments, prosecutor Jenna Sands emphasised that the jury did not need to rely solely on Magalhaes' account, pointing to a plethora of evidence. This included expert testimony indicating that blood stains on Mr Ryan's hands suggested Ms Banfield's blood had been dripped onto him from above, contradicting the self-defence narrative.
Defence attorney John Carroll attempted to discredit Magalhaes' testimony, arguing it was unreliable due to her cooperation with prosecutors to avoid a lengthy prison term. Banfield himself dismissed her account as absolutely crazy during his testimony, but the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution's version of events.
Sentencing and Legal Outcomes
Banfield now faces the possibility of life in prison for the double murder conviction. Meanwhile, Magalhaes is scheduled to be sentenced following Banfield's trial, with her attorneys suggesting she could be released if sentenced to time already served, given her guilty plea and cooperation. This case highlights the tragic consequences of infidelity and premeditated violence, set against the backdrop of a Virginia community shocked by the brutal crimes.
