Husband indicted in Virginia double homicide nearly a year after au pair’s arrest
FAIRFAX, Virginia — A Virginia man has been charged with killing his wife and another man in the couple’s Fairfax County home, authorities said Monday, nearly a year after the family’s au pair was charged in the case.
A grand jury has indicted Brendan Banfield on a charge of first-degree murder in the February 2023 killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan, according to an arrest warrant filed in Fairfax District Court. Banfield was also charged with one count of felony firearm use.
Police Chief Kevin Davis said at a news conference that Banfield was arrested while driving in Fairfax County, and that authorities searched his home Monday. An attorney for Banfield did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Banfield’s arrest comes nearly a year after Juliana Peres Magalhães, an au pair who cared for the Banfields’ daughter, was charged with second-degree murder in the Ryan case. Magalhães is scheduled to appear in court in November in that case.
“The fact that we charged Brendan today and made that arrest does not mean that her case is dismissed,” said Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano. “We intend to proceed with that case as planned.”
On the day of the killings, authorities said Magalhães called 911 at least twice within a few minutes, but ended the calls before speaking to emergency responders. More than 10 minutes later, authorities said in court, Magalhães called 911 for the last time, reporting the emergency. Brendan Banfield spoke into the phone at the time, saying he had shot a man who had stabbed his wife.
Authorities soon arrived at the Banfields’ home in Herndon, Virginia, to find Ryan fatally shot and Christine Banfield suffering from stab wounds. She was taken to the hospital, where she died.
According to affidavits, Magalhães told authorities that she and Brendan Banfield left the house early that morning, leaving Christine Banfield home alone. Magalhães said she and Brendan Banfield returned later that morning.
When Magalhães and Brendan Banfield went inside, the two saw Ryan holding a knife to Christine Banfield’s throat, Magalhães said. She claimed that Ryan stabbed Christine Banfield and that Brendan Banfield then shot Ryan. Magalhães also told authorities that she shot Ryan once with a second gun.
Authorities have said the killings were part of a larger scheme between Magalhães and Brendan Banfield, who officials allege began a romantic relationship in the months leading up to the killings. During Magalhães’s court hearings, prosecutors questioned her account of the events, arguing that Ryan was not known to be violent. Prosecutors have also said that Magalhães and Brendan Banfield continued their romantic relationship after the double murder.
Prosecutor Descano said Banfield would be arraigned later this week. He was being held without bail in the Fairfax County Jail.