Virginia husband accused of plotting murder with au pair to remove wife amid affair

Prosecutors say Brendan Banfield, a Virginia husband having an affair with his Brazilian au pair, hatched an elaborate murder-for-hire plot to kill his wife Christine Banfield and a man named Joseph Ryan to remove Christine and gain custody and money. He allegedly used a fake Christine profile, arranged alibis, and orchestrated Ryan’s arrival and assault; Christine died during the killings, and Magalhães assisted and later fired a gun Ryan had. Magalhães pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2024 and will be sentenced after Banfield’s trial, which could carry life in prison if he is convicted.