All articles tagged with #au pair
A Virginia man, Brendan Banfield, is headed to trial after allegedly conspiring with his Brazilian au pair to murder his wife and frame another man; the au pair has agreed to cooperate with investigators as Banfield maintains his innocence.
In Virginia, Brendan Banfield's double-murder trial features the au pair Juliana Peres Magalhães testifying that Banfield plotted to kill his wife Christine and to have a man framed for the crime, after months of planning that included luring Joseph Ryan to the home and teaching her to use a gun. The plan involved fake emails, staged evidence, and a catfish-style setup; Christine was stabbed by Banfield while Ryan was shot by Peres Magalhães, who has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in exchange for time served. The defense argues Peres Magalhães was coerced and that digital-forensics undermine the catfishing theory, while Banfield faces life if convicted on aggravated-murder charges; his daughter was present, and the trial continues.
Brendan Banfield, accused of conspiring with his au pair to murder his wife and another man, is set for a trial after allegations of a complex plot involving extramarital affairs, staged killings, and false calls. The case, which includes charges of double murder and child abuse, stems from the February 2023 killings at their Virginia home, with the au pair having pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and agreeing to testify.
A 23-year-old au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a double homicide in an upscale Virginia home. The victims were Joseph Ryan, who was shot, and Christine Banfield, who was stabbed. Peres Magalhaes called the police to report that her "friend was hurt," but investigators later linked her to Ryan's death. Banfield's husband initially claimed to have shot an unknown intruder who stabbed his wife, but police have ruled him out as the shooter. The investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances leading to Banfield's stabbing.