Juliana Peres Magalhães, a Brazilian au pair, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday after her involvement in a tragic double murder case that shocked the community. Magalhães entered into a romantic relationship with her employer, Brendan Banfield, and played a critical role in a scheme that led to the murders of Banfield’s wife, Christine, and Joseph Ryan, a man they had lured to their Northern Virginia home.
The sentence was longer than what had been suggested to the judge as part of a plea deal that could have resulted in her release on the same day. Chief Judge Penney Azcarate expressed the court’s disapproval of Magalhães’s actions, saying, “You do not deserve anything other than incarceration and a life of reflection on what you have done. May it weigh heavily on your soul.”
Brendan Banfield was convicted in February of aggravated murder for the 2023 deaths of both Christine Banfield and Ryan. Prosecutors indicated that the couple devised a plan to impersonate Christine on a sexual fetish website, enticing Ryan to their home under false pretenses. This twisted scheme culminated in violence, where Brendan Banfield fatally shot Ryan and stabbed his wife while Magalhães shot Ryan again as he lay injured.
Initially charged with murder, Magalhães pleaded guilty to manslaughter and had anticipated a lighter sentence, as prosecutors agreed to recommend a “term-served” sentencing. However, this recommendation was not binding, leading the judge to impose a sentence reflecting the grave nature of her actions. Judge Azcarate highlighted the cold-blooded nature of the killings, specifically Magalhães’s direct involvement in encouraging Ryan to come over, knowing the fatal outcome.
In court, Magalhães expressed regret and acknowledged her wrongdoing, stating, “I hope that my cooperation in this case somehow begins to help repair the damage caused.” She reflected on her relationship with Banfield and how her judgment had been clouded, ultimately causing her to abandon her morals.
Ryan’s family gave heartbreaking testimonies about the impact of his death. His mother, Deirdre Fisher, poignantly described the pain of losing her son, declaring, “My son’s life was used and thrown away — seen as worthless and utterly disposable.” She reminisced about their special bond, revealing how her son was a steadfast supporter through her struggles.
Banfield’s conviction carries a mandatory life sentence, with his sentencing scheduled for May 8. The closure from justice may still feel elusive for the families affected, but the hope remains that bringing these heinous crimes to light will foster a greater awareness and prevention of such tragedies in the future.