Virginia Man and Au Pair Accused in Deadly Plot to Murder Wife, Stage Home Intrusion

In a shocking case unfolding from Virginia, Brandon Banfield and his wife Christine, parents to a 4-year-old daughter, hired a Brazilian au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, in 2022 to help care for their child. However, a twisted series of events soon emerged, turning a domestic arrangement into a criminal tragedy.

A few months after Juliana joined the household, Brandon and Juliana began an affair. Their relationship quickly escalated, with Brandon allegedly expressing a desire to end his marriage to be with Juliana. Although Juliana initially resisted the idea, Brandon reportedly persuaded her to participate in a deadly plan.

Authorities say Brandon used a fetish website, Fetlife, where he contacted a man named Joseph Ryan, posing as his wife Christine. Brandon allegedly arranged a meeting, presenting it as a consensual sex involving restraints. Juliana reportedly impersonated Christine in a call to Joseph, finalizing the arrangement for him to visit Brandon’s house in February 2023.

Body Cam Footage of the Moments When Police Arrive at the Scene

When Joseph arrived, Brandon allegedly shot him in the head and fatally stabbed Christine to death. In the aftermath, Brandon and Juliana called 911, claiming that Joseph was an intruder who attacked Christine, forcing Brandon to shoot him in self-defense. Apparently, Juliana also had a gun and fired a shot at Joseph to ensure he was dead.

In a recent development, Juliana pleaded guilty to manslaughter on October 30, 2024. Her cooperation with investigators has led to a reduced charge, and she is expected to testify against Brandon in his upcoming trial, scheduled for February 2025. Further details of the case are expected to emerge as the trial progresses.