Virginia man accused of killing nurse wife nearly a year after live-in au pair lover, 24, was charged

A Virginia man has been indicted in killing of wife and another man nearly a year after an au pair was charged in the case .

A grand jury indicted Brendan Banfield on the charge of aggravated murder in the February 2023 killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan, according to a bench warrant filed in Fairfax Circuit Court. Banfield was also charged with one count of felony firearm use.

Banfield's arrest comes nearly a year after Juliana Peres Magalhaes, an au pair for the Banfields' daughter was charged with second-degree murder in Ryan's killing. She was not charged over Christine Banfield, CBS affiliate WUSA-TV reported.

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Magalhaes is scheduled for trial in that case in November. Meanwhile Police chief Kevin Davis said at a news conference that Banfield was arrested while driving in Fairfax County.

He said authorities were searching his home on Monday. An attorney for Banfield did not respond immediately. Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano said: "We intend to go forward with that case as scheduled."

On the day of the killings, authorities have said Ms. Magalhaes called 911 at least two times within minutes, but ended the calls before speaking with first responders. More than 10 minutes later, authorities said in court, Ms Magalhaes, called 911 a final time and reported the emergency. Mr Banfield then spoke into the phone and said he had shot a man because that man had stabbed his wife.

Authorities soon arrived at the Banfields’ home in Herndon and found that Ryan had been fatally shot and Christine Banfield suffered from stab wounds. She was taken to the hospital, where she died.

According to affidavits, Ms. Magalhães told authorities she and Mr. Banfield left the house early that morning, leaving Christine Banfield home alone. Ms. Magalhães said she and Mr. Banfield returned later that morning.

When Ms. Magalhães and Mr. Banfield went inside, the two found Ryan holding a knife to Christine Banfield’s throat, Ms. Magalhães said. She alleged Ryan stabbed Christine Banfield and that Mr. Banfield then shot Ryan. Ms. Magalhães also told authorities that she shot Ryan once with a second firearm.

Authorities have said the killings were part of a larger scheme between Ms. Magalhães and Mr. Banfield, whom officials allege began a romantic relationship in the months leading up to the killings.

At court hearings for Ms. Magalhães, prosecutors questioned her telling of events, arguing that Ryan was not known to be violent. Prosecutors also have said Ms. Magalhães and Mr. Banfield continued their romantic relationship after the double homicide.