close
close

Husband charged with double murder in Virginia, au pair girl charged with murder

Article

According to prosecutors, a framed photo of Brendan Banfield and Juliana Magalhaes, as well as the lover's underwear, were found in the room where the double murder took place. (Fairfax County District Attorney's Office)

A Herndon man has been charged in connection with a double murder that left his wife and another man dead in 2023.

Husband charged with 2023 double murder that killed his wife and husband

Months after his wife and another man were found dead in his home, a Herndon man was charged with their murders. Brendan Banfield was charged with murder. Joseph Ryan was found shot to death in the Banfields' home. Banfield's wife Christine was found with stab wounds and died a short time later. The couple's au pair was charged with shooting Ryan.

Brendan Banfield is now charged with aggravated murder following the deaths of his wife Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan, who was found shot to death in the Banfields' home.

Brendan Banfield of Herndon, Virginia. Photo via Fairfax County Sheriff's Department

The incident occurred on February 24, 2023, when police responded to a 911 call from the Banfields' Herndon residence on Stable Brook Way.

When officers arrived, they found a gruesome sight: Christine Banfield, 37, with numerous stab wounds and Joseph Ryan, 39, with gunshot wounds.

Ryan was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, while Christine died shortly after being taken to the hospital.

Husband charged with double murder in Virginia, au pair girl charged with murder

Brendan Banfield initially told dispatchers that Ryan broke into their home, stabbed his wife, and then shot Ryan in self-defense.

However, a seven-month investigation led to Juliana Peres Magalhaes, the Banfields' 23-year-old au pair, being charged with shooting Ryan.

Peres Magalhaes was charged with premeditated murder.

Double murder in Herndon under investigation

More than 12 hours after two people were mysteriously killed in a Herndon home, the neighborhood is in a frenzy of police activity. A woman was stabbed and a man was shot. The woman's husband, who spoke to 911, was inside the home at the time. FOX 5's Adrienne DiPiazza reports from Fairfax County with the latest news from police.

You may also like...