At a Glance
- Juliana Peres Magalhaes testified Brendan Banfield orchestrated the murders of his wife Christine and stranger Joseph Ryan
- The alleged plot involved a fake BDSM encounter arranged through Fetlife.com to lure Ryan to their Virginia home
- Peres Magalhaes, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Ryan’s death, claims Brendan said “divorce was not an option” due to money and custody concerns
- Why it matters: The testimony could be pivotal in the double murder trial that has gripped the Virginia community
A former au pair took the stand to testify that her lover masterminded a twisted plot to kill his wife and frame a stranger, detailing how a fake BDSM encounter turned into a double homicide in a Virginia home.
The Alleged Murder Plot Unfolds
Juliana Peres Magalhaes testified on Tuesday, Jan. 13, the first day of Brendan Banfield’s trial, that he concocted an elaborate scheme to murder his wife Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan, a man they lured through a bondage website.
The events began when Brendan allegedly created a profile on Fetlife.com, posing as his wife Christine. Through this profile, he began communicating with Ryan, discussing what prosecutors described as a “consensual sexual encounter involving restraints used on her, her clothing being cut off with a knife he brought, and other violent sexual role play.”
Peres Magalhaes testified that Brendan wanted to “get rid” of Christine, telling her that “divorce was not an option” because “money was involved” and he didn’t want to share custody of their daughter. The au pair’s testimony, reported by NBC4 and livestreamed by CourtTV, revealed how the alleged plan was meant to look like a home invasion gone wrong.
The Night of the Murders
On Feb. 23, 2023, the alleged plan reached its deadly conclusion. According to prosecutors, Brendan gave Peres Magalhaes a gun and specific instructions:
- Call Christine’s phone when Ryan entered the home
- Then call Brendan, who would wait at a nearby McDonald’s
- Make the scene appear as a home invasion
In the weeks leading up to the murders, Peres Magalhaes testified that Brendan changed his routine so it wouldn’t seem suspicious that he was at McDonald’s during the crime.
When Brendan received the call, he allegedly drove home and shot Ryan in the head before stabbing his wife Christine, attempting to frame Ryan in her death. Peres Magalhaes then shot Ryan again after seeing him move, authorities said.
The Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
The double murder has resulted in serious legal consequences for both defendants:
- Christine Banfield: Fatally stabbed in her home
- Joseph Ryan: Shot and killed after being lured to the residence
- Juliana Peres Magalhaes: Pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Ryan’s death in 2024
- Brendan Banfield: Pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated murder
Brendan’s attorney, John Carroll, argued in court that Peres Magalhaes was only arrested to “flip her against my client,” suggesting her testimony may be motivated by a desire for leniency in her own case.
The Testimony Continues
Peres Magalhaes’ testimony is scheduled to continue on Wednesday, Jan. 14. The trial has attracted significant attention due to the sensational details of the alleged murder plot and the involvement of the au pair who had been having an affair with Brendan.
The case has raised questions about the safety of online encounters and the extreme measures some individuals might take to avoid divorce proceedings. The prosecution is building its case around the testimony of Peres Magalhaes, who directly implicates Brendan as the mastermind behind both murders.
Key Takeaways
- Brendan Banfield allegedly used a BDSM website to lure Joseph Ryan to his home as part of a murder plot
- The au pair Juliana Peres Magalhaes claims Brendan orchestrated both murders to avoid divorce and custody issues
- The case involves complex elements of deception, infidelity, and premeditated murder
- Peres Magalhaes has already pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with Ryan’s death
- Brendan faces double murder charges and has pleaded not guilty
