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WATCH LIVE: Au pair to be sentenced for role in Fairfax County double murder

February 12, 2026, 3:15 PM

The Brazilian au pair who testified against Brendan Banfield, who earlier this month was found guilty of aggravated murder in the deaths of his wife and another man, is scheduled to be sentenced Friday for her role in the 2023 murders.

In October 2024, Juliana Peres Magalhães took a deal and pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Joseph Ryan, who prosecutors said was lured to the Banfields’ Herndon home with promises of rough sex. Part of the deal included cooperation with the prosecution. Magalhães was initially charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Ryan.

While she could be sentenced to as little as time served, she faces up to 10 years in prison.

Prosecutors said Banfield, a former IRS law enforcement officer, conspired with Magalhães, with whom he was having an affair, to kill his wife, Christine, and Ryan. They said the two staged an elaborate scheme to lure Ryan to the home to get rid of his wife and blame her killing on someone else.

Banfield faces life in prison with no chance of parole after his conviction on both counts of aggravated murder. He was also found guilty of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and child endangerment, as his 4-year-old child was home during the killings.

Judge Penney Azcarate scheduled Banfield’s sentencing for May 8.

More coverage of the Brendan Banfield case:

 

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