UPDATE: Husband charged with double murder in Reston

Reston Police District – Police Chief Kevin Davis and District Attorney Steve Descano announce the arrest and indictment of 39-year-old Brendan Banfield of Reston in connection with the double murder last February near the Hattontown neighborhood.

Banfield is charged with four counts of murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is being held without bail at the Adult Detention Center.

We ask that anyone with information regarding this incident call our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477) or online – click HERE. Download the Fairfax Co Crime Solvers “P3 Tips” app. Cash rewards are available for anonymous tipsters. Please leave your contact information if you would like a detective to contact you.

(Originally published October 19, 2023)

Family au pair charged in fatal Reston shooting

Reston Police District – After an intensive investigation lasting nearly seven months, FCPD homicide detectives have arrested an au pair in connection with the fatal shooting of a man in February near the Hattontown neighborhood.

When officers first rushed to the Banfields' home in the 13200 block of Stable Brook Way on February 24, 2023, they were met with a horrific sight. They found Christine Banfield, 37, of Herndon in an upstairs bedroom with stab wounds to the torso and Joseph Ryan, 39, of Springfield nearby with gunshot wounds to the torso. The first 911 calls were made by the family's au pair and Banfield's husband.

Through forensic evidence and multiple interviews, investigators determined that the au pair, 23-year-old Juliana Peres Magalhaes of Reston, shot Joseph Ryan. Peres Magalhaes was charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and is being held without bail at the Adult Detention Center.

Detectives continue to conduct interviews and review digital and forensic evidence to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal knife attack on Christine Banfield.

We ask anyone with information regarding these incidents to call our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477) and online – Click HERE. Download the Fairfax Co Crime Solvers “P3 Tips” app. Cash rewards are available for anonymous tipsters. Please leave your contact information if you would like a detective to contact you.

Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau's Victim Assistance Unit have been tasked with ensuring that victims' families receive appropriate resources and support.

Join us at Neighbors by Ring. A place where you can connect with your neighbors, see what's happening in your neighborhood, and share available surveillance footage with our department.

For ongoing updates, please visit our blog. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.

(Original blog post from February 25, 2023)

Reston Police District – Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau and our Cyber ​​and Forensics Bureau are currently investigating a fatal stabbing attack and shooting that occurred yesterday morning in the 13200 block of Stable Brook Way.

Just after 8 a.m., officers responded to the home after receiving a 911 call in which a woman reported her friend was injured. A man responded and reported shooting an unknown man who had entered his home and stabbed a woman. Officers arrived and found Christine Banfield, 37, of Herndon, in an upstairs bedroom with stab wounds to the upper body. Joseph Ryan, 39, of Springfield was found nearby with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Banfield was taken to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead. Ryan was pronounced dead at the scene.

All parties involved have been identified and there is no apparent threat to the community. Investigators are continuing to conduct interviews and process evidence recovered from the scene to determine the relationship between those involved and the circumstances leading to the two deaths.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct autopsies in the coming days to determine the cause and manner of death.

We ask anyone with information regarding these incidents to call our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477) and online – Click HERE. Download the Fairfax Co Crime Solvers “P3 Tips” app. Cash rewards are available for anonymous tipsters. Please leave your contact information if you would like a detective to contact you.

Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau's Victim Assistance Unit have been assigned to ensure that families receive appropriate resources and support.

Click here to view Chief Davis' on-site press conferences. The most recent briefing can be found here.

Join us at Neighbors by Ring. A place where you can connect with your neighbors, see what's happening in your neighborhood, and share available surveillance footage with our department.

For ongoing updates, please visit our blog. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.