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Brendan Banfield Case File
Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan Double Homicide Case
Brendan Banfield is charged in connection with the February 24, 2023, killings of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan at the Banfield residence in Herndon, Virginia. Prosecutors allege Banfield and Juliana Peres Magalhães used a fake online profile to lure Ryan to the home, then staged the scene as an intruder attack. Banfield has pleaded not guilty and the case remains a contested criminal prosecution.
Brendan Banfield
Case Timeline 911 Calls Records Juliana Peres Magalhães Juliana Testimony Trial Timeline

Brendan Banfield Timeline

Case Timeline
Brendan Banfield Timeline
Murder of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan
Background
  • Brendan Banfield grew up in New York.
  • He met Christine Banfield at Quinnipiac University during their freshman year.
  • They were together approximately 19 and a half years.
  • They moved to Virginia for career advancement.
  • Christine Banfield worked as a pediatric ICU nurse and sexual assault nurse examiner.
  • Brendan Banfield became an IRS Special Agent.
  • Juliana Peres Magalhães became the family’s au pair through an agency.
  • The personal relationship between Banfield and Magalhães began in August 2022.
June 30, 2010
  • Brendan and Christine Banfield purchased property located at 51 Carmen View Dr, Shirley, New York, 11967.
June 2, 2015 January 2019
  • Brendan Banfield began working as a criminal investigator with the Internal Revenue Service.
March 22, 2019
  • The Banfield family sold their property in Shirley, New York, and moved to Herndon, Virginia.
March 26, 2019
  • Brendan and Christine Banfield purchased property located at 13230 Stable Brook Way, Herndon, Virginia, 20171.
Spring 2021
  • Christine was planning to hire an au pair from South America to live with the family and help care for the couple’s toddler.
October 7, 2021
  • Juliana Peres Magalhães begins working as the au pair for the Banfield family in Herndon, Virginia. Source
August 2022
  • Brendan Banfield allegedly began an extramarital relationship with Juliana Peres Magalhães while Christine was visiting parents in New York.
October 2022
  • Prosecutors allege Banfield expressed a desire to be “rid of” Christine Banfield.
  • Prosecutors allege Banfield did not want to share custody of his daughter with Christine.
  • Prosecutors allege Banfield began planning Christine Banfield’s killing during this period.
October 29, 2022
  • Juliana Peres Magalhães signs a Service Agreement and Waiver at Silver Eagle Group.
  • Peres Magalhães checks in at the Silver Eagle Group shooting range.
December 23, 2022
  • Brendan Banfield checks in at Silver Eagle Group.
  • Juliana Peres Magalhães checks in at Silver Eagle Group.
  • These visits document shared firearms-related activity.
January 9, 2023
  • 11:10 p.m. A Gmail account later associated with FetLife activity was created. Source
  • Christine Banfield’s phone was not present in the Banfield residence at the time the account was created.
  • The Gmail account was created from a Samsung device.
January 13, 2023
  • Banfield and Magalhães travel to New York together, where they are seen in social media photos together.
  • Christine Banfield and Valerie Banfield remained at the residence with Christine’s mother present.
January 17, 2023
  • Christine Banfield sent a gym photo to Brendan Banfield via Facebook Messenger, and he replied, “Nice.” Source
  • Prosecutors allege the “Anastasia 9” FetLife account was created the same day and used to communicate with Joseph Ryan. Source
January 28, 2023
  • Banfield purchased a firearm. Source
  • Banfield later gave the firearm to Peres Magalhães.
  • Banfield trained Peres Magalhães at a local gun range in the months leading up to the killings.
January 30, 2023
  • 6:31 p.m. The Gmail account was accessed
  • 11:03 p.m Another login occurred
  • 10:47 p.m. and 10:58 p.m. FetLife messages were sent
January 31 to February 1, 2023
  • Brendan Banfield and Juliana Peres Magalhães were out of town. No activity occurred on FetLife or Telegram.
February 13, 2023
  • 6:49 p.m. Brendan Banfield is in Maryland.
February 14, 2023
  • Just after midnight, a Samsung device was used to access FetLife during a time prosecutors say Brendan Banfield was not at home.
February 19, 2023
  • Joseph Ryan connects with the “Anastasia 9” account. Source
  • Prosecutors allege the account posed as Christine and lured Ryan into a sexual role-play scenario.
  • Ryan is instructed to bring restraints and a knife and to enter through an unlocked door on the morning of February 24, 2023.
February 23, 2023
  • 12:52 a.m. Joe Ryan messaged “Anna” asking for the home address. Source
  • A search was conducted for kid-friendly resorts in the Dominican Republic.
  • 9:36 p.m. Annastasia sent Ryan the address: 13230 Stable Brook Way, Herndon, Virginia.
  • 11:14 p.m. The FetLife account password was reset. Juliana Peres Magalhães was allegedly actively using her device at the same time.
  • 11:29 p.m. Annastasia told Ryan to “Aim for 7:20.”
February 24, 2023, Day of the Killings
  • 6:24 a.m. Ryan messaged that he was leaving soon and would arrive around 7:20 to 7:30.
  • 6:48 a.m. The final message from Annastasia to Ryan stated, “Ok, I’ll be waiting for you.”
  • 7:00 a.m. Christine Banfield is asleep in the upstairs bedroom.
  • Christine Banfield’s cell phone is powered off and placed inside a drawer of a kitchen bar cart.
  • 7:00 to 7:20 a.m. Brendan Banfield leaves the residence and drives to a nearby McDonald’s.
  • Juliana Peres Magalhães leaves the residence with the couple’s four-year-old child and waits nearby with the Glock 43X pistol.
  • 7:20 to 7:25 a.m. Brendan Banfield enters the McDonald’s drive-through and places an order. Source
  • 7:28 a.m. Banfield parks his vehicle and enters the restaurant.
  • 7:37 a.m. Surveillance footage shows Banfield exiting the restroom while holding his phone to his ear.
  • 7:40 a.m. Joseph Ryan arrives at the Banfield residence and enters through the unlocked front door.
  • 7:40 a.m. Juliana Peres Magalhães drives back to the residence with the child.
  • 7:45 a.m. The child is left in the basement. Brendan Banfield and Juliana Peres Magalhães go upstairs toward the bedroom.
    • Prosecutors allege Banfield enters the bedroom, announces himself as a police officer, and shoots Joseph Ryan in the head. Source
    • Prosecutors allege Banfield stabbed Christine Banfield multiple times in the neck with a knife brought by Ryan.
    • Ryan shows signs of movement after the initial gunshot and a second gunshot is fired.
  • 7:47 a.m. The first 911 call is placed from Magalhães’ phone and lasts 8 seconds.
  • 8:00 a.m. A second 911 call is placed by Magalhães reporting an intruder scenario.
  • 8:02 a.m. Banfield takes over a 911 call, stating, “I’m a federal agent… I shot him. He stabbed her.”
  • Officers located Christine Banfield suffering from stab wounds. She was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.
  • Joseph Ryan was found nearby suffering from a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
February 25, 2023
  • Fairfax County Police announced that Major Crimes Bureau and Cyber and Forensics Bureau detectives were actively investigating the fatal stabbing and fatal shooting at the Stable Brook Way residence. Source
  • Police stated all parties involved had been accounted for and there was no apparent ongoing threat to the community.
  • The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was scheduled to conduct autopsies.
March 2023
  • Months after the killings, Magalhães moved into the master bedroom where Christine and Ryan were killed.
  • She allegedly replaced photos of Christine with photos of herself and Brendan taken while in New York.
April 11, 2023
  • Department of Forensic Science issues a Certificate of Analysis concluding that a cartridge case was fired from the Glock 43X purchased by Brendan Banfield. Source
May 22, 2023
  • The Virginia Department of Forensic Science issues a DNA Certificate of Analysis covering numerous items recovered from the crime scene. Source
  • Blood is detected on the knife blade, and Christine Banfield cannot be eliminated as a contributor.
  • DNA analysis of a fitted sheet shows Brendan Banfield cannot be eliminated as a contributor to the sperm fraction.
  • Joseph Ryan’s physical evidence recovery kit shows blood detected on both hands and DNA consistent with Christine Banfield.
October 19, 2023
  • Authorities arrest Juliana Peres Magalhães.
  • She is charged with murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony for the death of Joseph Ryan.
April 15, 2024
  • The Commonwealth announces indictments against Juliana Peres Magalhães.
September 16, 2024
  • Brendan Banfield is arrested following the presentation of additional evidence to a grand jury. Source
  • Nearly a year after Peres Magalhães’ arrest, Banfield is taken into custody following a traffic stop in Fairfax County.
October 25, 2024
  • Peres Magalhães gave another detailed interview outlining Banfield’s alleged role in planning and carrying out the killings.
October 28, 2024
  • Peres Magalhães pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Source
  • She remains in custody awaiting sentencing.
December 16, 2024
  • A grand jury indicted Brendan Banfield on one count of felony child abuse and neglect and one count of felony child cruelty relating to the events of February 24, 2023. Source
January 2026
  • Jury selection concluded with nine men and seven women selected.
  • Opening arguments were expected to begin the following day.
  • The trial was expected to last approximately four weeks.
June 5, 2026
  • Brendan Banfield was convicted by a Virginia jury earlier this year for killing two people, including his wife, Christine Banfield, in February 2023. Prosecutors claimed that Banfield and the family’s au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, were involved romantically at the time of the murders. Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan were stabbed to death inside the family’s Virginia residence. Magalhães had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and testified against Banfield during the trial. He now faces a potential life sentence for the two murders.Source

911 Calls

911 Calls
911 Calls
Audio records from the morning of the killings

Records

Records

Records

Juliana Peres Magalhães

Brendan Banfield Case File
Juliana Peres Magalhães
Juliana Peres Magalhães is a Brazilian au pair and convicted co-defendant in the Virginia double-homicide case. In October 2024, she pleaded guilty to manslaughter for shooting Joseph Ryan during the February 2023 killings of Ryan and nurse Christine Banfield in Herndon, Virginia. Her plea and cooperation made her a central figure in the alleged murder conspiracy involving her employer and lover, IRS Special Agent Brendan Banfield.
Juliana Peres Magalhães

Juliana Testimony Trial Timeline

Juliana Testimony
Juliana Testimony Trial Timeline
State of Virginia v. Brendan Banfield
Background and Relationship Peres Magalhães arrived in Virginia in 2021 to care for the Banfields’ young daughter. Prosecutors say she soon began an affair with Brendan Banfield while living in the couple’s Herndon home. Evidence later showed intimate photos of the pair and joint visits to a shooting range before the crimes. Conspiracy Allegations Authorities allege Brendan Banfield and Peres Magalhães used a bondage-fetish website, FetLife, to lure Ryan under the guise of a consensual sex-role-play scenario involving Christine. Prosecutors contend the pair planned to murder Christine and frame Ryan so they could continue their relationship. Police Interview
  • Juliana Peres Magalhães participated in a nine-hour interview at the police station following the killings.
  • During the interview, she confessed to killing Ryan, describing the events as occurring during what she characterized as a chaotic aftermath of an assault on Christine.
  • According to court documents, Juliana stated she was sitting in a car outside the house with the baby that morning.
  • She stated she observed a man carrying a bag enter the front door.
  • She stated she called Christine, who was alone inside the house, but Christine did not answer.
  • She then called Brendan, who had already left for work but returned shortly afterward.
  • Law enforcement stated they were not convinced by her initial version of events.
October 2022
  • According to Juliana’s testimony, the plan to get rid of Christine was first discussed during this period.
  • Brendan was identified as the person formulating and directing the plan.
January 2023
  • Actions toward the plan began.
  • Brendan created a fake email account used for a FetLife profile.
  • Juliana testified she was present when the fake email was created but did not create it.
  • Juliana had access only to FetLife and Telegram.
February 23, 2023
  • Juliana went to the gym.
  • She may have been the person who took Christine’s laptop that night.
  • She prepared lunches, including turkey sandwiches.
  • Juliana and Brendan texted Joe stating that a window was open.
  • A Telegram call to Joe was made from Christine’s laptop while Juliana and Brendan were in the basement.
February 24, 2023
  • Juliana testified she does not recall sending any FetLife messages that day.
  • Christine’s laptop was used only for FetLife and Telegram.
  • Brendan deleted two-factor authentication codes from Christine’s phone while Juliana was upstairs.
  • Brendan had replaced windows for additional soundproofing, described by prosecutors as part of his plan.
  • Juliana called 911 more than once.
After February 24, 2023
  • Juliana continued a romantic relationship with Brendan.
  • They lived together with Valerie.
  • Juliana initially stayed in the au pair bedroom, then moved into the master bedroom.
  • Brendan financially supported Juliana.
  • While incarcerated, Juliana communicated with Brendan and his mother by phone and letters.
October 2023
  • Juliana was arrested.
November 2023
  • Multiple letters written from jail expressed severe depression, anxiety, fear of never returning home, and emotional dependence on Brendan and his family.
  • Juliana began medication for depression and anxiety while incarcerated.
October 25, 2024
  • Juliana notified prosecutors she would accept a plea deal.
  • This was the first time she told law enforcement that Brendan planned the entire crime.
October 28, 2024
  • Juliana signed a guilty plea to manslaughter with maximum sentence exposure stated as 10 years.
Redirect Examination Highlights
  • Defense read excerpts from jail letters, not full letters.
  • Juliana stated jail time makes it difficult to remember daily details.
  • She stated some memories may have been blocked due to trauma.
  • She stated she relied entirely on Brendan and his mother.
  • She stated she feared life in prison and has no financial support waiting for her.

Brendan Banfield Trial Timeline

Trial Timeline
Brendan Banfield Trial Timeline
State of Virginia v. Brendan Banfield
State of Virginia v. Brendan Banfield Trial Timeline, Daily Witness Testimony Fairfax County Circuit Court Monday, January 13, 2026
  • Jury selection concluded, with nine men and seven women seated.
  • Prosecutors delivered opening statements outlining their theory of premeditated murder with assistance from the au pair.
  • Defense delivered its opening statement, challenging the prosecution’s narrative and indicating it would present alternative theories.
Tuesday, January 14, 2026
  • The Commonwealth calls Juliana Peres Magalhães, the family’s former au pair, as its first witness.
  • Magalhães testifies that she watched Brendan Banfield stab his wife, Christine Banfield, in the bedroom of the couple’s Reston home.
  • She testifies Banfield got on top of Christine and stabbed her repeatedly in the neck.
  • Prosecutors play recordings of the 911 calls made by Banfield and Magalhães.
  • Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Jenna Sands outlines the prosecution’s theory that Banfield did not want to share custody of his daughter with Christine.
  • Defense attorney John F. Carroll argues the case relies heavily on Magalhães’ statement and challenges the catfishing theory.
Wednesday, January 15, 2026
  • Witness: Juliana Peres Magalhães, continued.
  • Juliana testified she delayed accepting a plea due to fear of losing legal representation and family contact.
  • She testified Brendan’s mother paid for her attorneys.
  • She testified she wanted to tell the truth and that everything she said on the stand was the truth.
Thursday, January 16, 2026
  • Defense begins calling witnesses.
  • Defense lawyers called Fairfax County Police officers who responded to the initial calls.
  • Officers discussed body camera video showing the scene after the alleged killings and Banfield’s emotional reaction.
  • Defense brought in expert witnesses, including a bloodstain analyst and digital forensics experts.
Friday, January 17, 2026
  • Assistant Chief Medical Examiner testified about the cause and manner of death for Christine Banfield.
  • Testimony included sharp force injuries and homicide determinations.
Monday, January 20, 2026
  • Police officers and investigators testified about scene response and evidence collection procedures.
  • One officer testified Banfield had blood on his hands at the hospital and later washed them before swabs could be taken.
Tuesday, January 21, 2026
  • Jury heard 911 calls placed from the Banfield residence on the morning of the killings.
  • Prosecutors highlighted specific language on the call to support their narrative.
Wednesday, January 22, 2026
  • Defense presented additional Fairfax County Police representatives who discussed investigative issues.
  • Defense experts on digital forensics testified about FetLife and other communications evidence.
January 25 to January 26, 2026
  • Snow and ice forced courthouse closures, delaying trial proceedings.
Thursday, January 28, 2026
  • Defense recalls Harry Lidsky, private investigator and digital forensic examiner.
  • Lidsky testifies regarding Google account records, search warrants, FetLife activity, linked Gmail accounts, and T-Mobile records for Juliana Peres Magalhães.
  • He testifies about device usage timelines involving Brendan Banfield, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan.
January 29, 2026
  • Brendan Banfield continued describing his version of events from the morning of February 24, 2023.
  • He denied creating or participating in any plan to kill his wife and described the accusation as “absolutely crazy.”
Brendan Banfield Case File
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