<body><div>A Virginia man is facing charges of aggravated murder after being indicted Monday nearly a year after the family's au pair was charged in the case. A grand jury returned charges of aggravated murder against Brendan Banfield in connection with the February 2023 killings of his wife Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan, according to a bench warrant filed in Fairfax Circuit Court. He was also charged with one count of felony firearm use. Police Chief Kevin Davis said in a news conference that the suspect was arrested while driving in Fairfax County at the same time authorities were searching his home on Monday. Banfield's attorney did not respond to the Associated Press's request for comment on the matter. The grand jury indictment comes nearly a year after Juliana Peres Magalhães, an au pair caring for the couples daughter, was charged with second degree murder in Ryan's killing. Her trial is scheduled to begin in November.<ul><li>Horror as babysitter 'buries newborn alive in garden after secret pregnancy'</li></ul><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0ynU3Z_0vaLxfQ500" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0ynU3Z_0vaLxfQ500" width="310" height="465" ><figcaption>When authorities arrived to the couples Banfield's home in Herndon, Virginia they found that Ryan had been fatally shot and Christine Banfield was suffering from stab wounds. ( Image: Facebook)</figcaption></figure>"The fact that we've indicted Brendan today and made that arrest does not mean that her case is being thrown out," Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano said. "We intend to go forward with that case as scheduled." Magalhães reportedly called 911 at least two times within one minute of each on the day of the killings, but the calls were terminated before first responders could speak with her. Just over 10 minutes later, she called 911 a final time and reported the emergency, according to authorities. Brendan Banfield then took the phone and spoke saying he had shot a man because that man stabbed his wife. When authorities arrived to the Banfield's home in Herndon, Virginia they found that Ryan had been fatally shot and Christine Banfield was suffering from stab wounds. She was transported to a local hospital where she died shortly after. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2TmiJ8_0vaLxfQ500" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2TmiJ8_0vaLxfQ500" width="310" height="465" ><figcaption>The two had allegedly began a romantic relationship in the months leading up to the killings.</figcaption></figure>Magalhães told investigators that she and Brendan Banfield left the house early in the morning, leaving Christine Banfield home alone, according to affidavits. Magalhães said she and Brendan Banfield returned later that morning. When the two went inside they found Ryan holding a knife to Christine Banfield's throat, Magalhães said. She alleged that Ryan had stabbed Christine and that Brendan then shot Ryan. She also told authorities that she shot Ryan once with a separate firearm. The killings were said to be a part of a larger plot to between Magalhães and Brendan Banfield according to authorities. The two had allegedly began a romantic relationship in the months leading up to the killings. Prosecutors while questioning Magalhães' recounting of the events, argued that Ryan was not known to be a violent person. The two allegedly continued their romantic relationship even after the double homicide, according to prosecutors.Banfield is set to be arraigned later this week and is being held without bail at the Fairfax County Jail, according to Prosecutor Descano. </div></body>

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Husband accused of murdering wife year after au pair’s arrest amid suspected 'love triangle plot'

A Virginia man is facing charges of aggravated murder after being indicted Monday nearly a year after the family's au pair was charged in the case. A grand jury returned charges of aggravated murder against Brendan Banfield in connection with the February 2023 killings of his wife Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan, according to a bench warrant filed in Fairfax Circuit Court. He was also charged with one count of felony firearm use. Police Chief Kevin Davis said in a news conference that the suspect was arrested while driving in Fairfax County at the same time authorities were searching his home on Monday.