Fairfax County man accused of murdering wife, man with help of au pair denied bond

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. ( DC News Now ) — A judge denied bond for a husband whom police said killed his wife and a man with the help of the family’s au pair in February 2023.

The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) arrested Brendan Banfield on Sept. 16, 2024 . Banfield is accused of murdering his wife, Christine, 37, and Joseph Ryan, 39, of Springfield.

Officers found Christine stabbed near Ryan in the Banfields’ home on Stable Brook Way in Reston. Ryan, who had been shot, died there. Christine died at the hospital.

Police arrested the Banfields’ au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes of Reston, prior to Banfield’s arrest. The charges against Peres Magalhaes were related to Ryan’s death.

Prosecutors provided evidence and information Friday that they said showed Banfield was having an affair with Peres Magalhaes and that they planned to murder Christine and her lover, Ryan.

According to prosecutors, investigators found photos showing Banfield was learning Portuguese, purchased outlet converters only used in Brazil, and helped Peres Magalhaes get a new passport and flight to Brazil. Prosecutors said Banfield also discussed moving to Brazil in jailhouse conversations.

Banfield’s lawyers argued that their client should be given bond, pointing to the fact that since the deaths, Banfield had been caring for his daughter coopearated with the investigation. They said he had not left the state or country. The lawyers added that Banfield has strong ties to the community and that there was no probable cause to show that he was flight risk or threat to the public.

Prosecutors told the judge that Banfield is on depression medication and based on several jailhouse calls, they believed he was a threat to his child and the public.

Ultimately, the judge sided with the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and denied bond.

Banfield’s trial was set to take place in February 2025, months after Peres Magalhaes’ trial, which is supposed to start in November 2024.

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