Juliana Peres Magalhaes, a Brazilian national, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the murders of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan in Herndon, Virginia, in February 2023. Magalhaes, who was an au pair for the Banfield family, entered her plea on Tuesday morning, avoiding a trial scheduled for November.
The case involves Brendan Banfield, Christine's husband, who is accused of orchestrating the murders along with Magalhaes. Banfield, a former IRS employee, faces charges of aggravated murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, which could result in a life prison sentence.
Authorities found Christine Banfield with stab wounds and Joseph Ryan with fatal gunshot wounds in the Banfields' home after responding to a 911 call. Magalhaes initially claimed that Ryan was an intruder holding Christine at knifepoint, but later admitted to shooting him along with Banfield.
Investigators discovered a connection between Ryan and the Banfield family through a sexual fetish website. Both Ryan and the Banfields had accounts on the site, raising questions about the motive behind the murders.
Magalhaes' guilty plea to manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. The case continues to unfold as authorities delve into the complex relationships and circumstances surrounding the tragic events that unfolded in the Banfield home.
