New details emerged in a Virginia murder case where an au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes, was having an affair with Brendan Banfield, the husband of Christine Banfield. The case began over a year ago when Christine was fatally stabbed by Joseph Ryan, who was solicited from a sexual fetish website. Brendan and Peres Magalhaes then shot Ryan after witnessing him stab Christine. Peres Magalhaes’ gunshot was fatal. Only the au pair has been arrested and charged with Ryan’s murder, while no one has been charged in Christine’s death.
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Assistant Attorney Kelsey Gill revealed that Brendan and Peres Magalhaes began an affair leading up to the shooting incident. During a preliminary hearing, it was disclosed that the couple had gone to a shooting range together weeks before the shootings, where Brendan purchased a Glock that was allegedly used by Peres Magalhaes. Prosecutors suggested that the gun was used to eliminate Ryan as the only living witness to the events that transpired on February 24, 2023.
Joseph Ryan arrived at the Banfield house after being summoned through a website catering to sexual fetishes. While it was Christine Banfield’s account, prosecutors did not confirm who was actually behind it. Magalhaes was reportedly taking the Banfields’ daughter to the zoo when Ryan entered the house. She then called Brendan to return home, leading to the discovery of Ryan assaulting Christine. Commonwealth Attorney Kelsey Gill questioned Brendan’s actions in only shooting at Ryan after he had already stabbed his wife multiple times, as well as his direction for Magalhaes to fetch the second gun.
The lawyer for Peres Magalhaes, Ryan Campbell, claimed that his client acted in self-defense, emphasizing that Ryan had just stabbed Christine before she shot him. During the recent hearing, Brendan Banfield pleaded the fifth when questioned on the stand. The case has not progressed, and no charges have been filed in the death of Christine Banfield. Prosecutors have hinted that there may be more to the story than the violent events of that day, suggesting that the affair between Brendan and Peres Magalhaes played a significant role in the tragic outcome. The case remains complex and continues to unravel as more details come to light.
