Juliana Peres Magalhaes, 25, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting and killing Joseph Ryan, 39, on Feb. 24, 2023. Magalhaes was an au pair for Brendan and Christine Banfield in Reston, Virginia, at the time of the murder, and she and Brendan, who had begun a romantic affair, hatched an elaborate plot to kill Christine. Together, Magalhaes and Brendan Banfield lured Ryan, a stranger, to the house and staged a situation to make it appear as though Ryan was an intruder who had killed Christine.
Magalhaes pled guilty to manslaughter on Oct. 29, 2024, in exchange for her cooperation with the prosecution at Brendan Banfield’s trial. Magalhaes is a Brazilian national and will be deported at the conclusion of her sentence.
Brendan Banfield, 40, was convicted by a jury of two counts of aggravated murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and child endangerment. His sentencing hearing is set for May 8, 2026, where he faces a mandatory life sentence.
“People all over the world who watched this trial saw that Juliana’s testimony was invaluable in helping the jury understand the convoluted double-murder plot orchestrated by Brendan Banfield,” said Steve Descano, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney. “No prison sentence can address the harm created by her actions. Today’s hearing was dedicated specifically to Joe, a beloved son, nephew, and grandson, who was a perfect stranger to Magalhaes and Brendan Banfield and tragically ensnared in their plot. The court cannot bring Joe back to his loved ones, but the court can ensure that Brendan, the mastermind behind this scheme, faces a lifetime in prison for his murder.”