Former IRS Officer Found Guilty in Elaborate Double Murder Scheme
A Virginia man who served as an IRS officer has been convicted of orchestrating a brutal double murder plot with the assistance of the family's Brazilian nanny, according to court proceedings in Fairfax County. Brendan Banfield, 40, was found guilty on multiple charges including two counts of aggravated murder, a firearms offense, and child endangerment following a trial that revealed shocking details of deception and violence.
Fatal February Night and Contested Narrative
The case centers on events that unfolded on February 24, 2023, when Banfield reported discovering Joseph Ryan attacking his wife, Christine Banfield, with a knife in their family home. Banfield claimed he shot Ryan in self-defense, and that the family's nanny, Juliana Peres Magalhaes, also fired at Ryan during the chaotic incident.
However, prosecutors presented a dramatically different version of events to the jury. They argued that Banfield had been conducting an affair with Peres Magalhaes and that the pair conspired to eliminate Christine Banfield so they could be together. According to the prosecution, Ryan was lured to the home as part of an elaborate setup designed to frame him for Christine's murder.
Nanny's Testimony Reveals Fetish Website Plot
Peres Magalhaes, who initially faced murder charges herself, ultimately cooperated with prosecutors and testified against Banfield. She revealed that she and Banfield created fake accounts on a fetish website, posing as Christine Banfield to lure Ryan to the residence under false pretenses.
"I withheld the truth for a long time, just to myself, and it was a lot for me to deal with and I just couldn't deal with this anymore," Peres Magalhaes told the court during her emotional testimony. She described how Ryan was led to believe he was arriving for a consensual but violent sexual encounter with Christine Banfield.
Prosecution's Evidence and Defense Arguments
Fairfax County prosecutors told jurors they had a "plethora of evidence" beyond the nanny's testimony. This included expert analysis suggesting that blood stains on Ryan's hands indicated Christine Banfield's blood had been dripped onto him from above, contradicting Banfield's self-defense narrative.
Defense attorney John Carroll argued that Peres Magalhaes' testimony could not be trusted due to her cooperation agreement with prosecutors. Banfield himself dismissed her account as "absolutely crazy" during his own testimony. The defense maintained that Banfield acted in self-defense when he encountered Ryan attacking his wife.
Child Endangerment and Emotional Aftermath
A particularly disturbing aspect of the case involved the presence of Banfield's then four-year-old daughter in the home during the violent events. This factor contributed to the child endangerment charge among his convictions.
Fairfax County attorney Steve Descano characterized Banfield's actions as "monstrous" following the verdict. "I hope he thinks about his wife in jail and about what a heinous thing he did," Descano told reporters. "Because that's something he's rightfully going to have to live with for the rest of his life."
Legal Outcomes and Sentencing
The jury received the case midday Friday and deliberated through much of Monday before returning guilty verdicts. Banfield showed little emotion as the verdict was read in court. He now faces life imprisonment, Virginia's maximum penalty, with sentencing scheduled for May 8.
Peres Magalhaes previously pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter for fatally shooting Ryan in October 2024. Her cooperation agreement with prosecutors includes a recommendation for time served, potentially allowing her to walk free following her own sentencing, which was scheduled to occur after Banfield's trial concluded.
