Juliana Peres Magalhães, a Brazilian au pair, was sentenced to ten years in prison on Friday for her role in a double murder alongside former IRS agent Brendan Banfield in Northern Virginia. The sentencing was handed down by Fairfax County Judge Penney Azcarate, who expressed her disappointment with Magalhães, stating that her actions exhibited a severe disregard for human life. Magalhães pleaded guilty in 2024 to a manslaughter charge and will serve two years of probation following her prison term.
The case revolves around the murder of Joseph Ryan and Christine Banfield, Brendan’s wife, which occurred in their home on February 24, 2023. Magalhães and Banfield were arrested after evidence emerged of a romantic affair between them and a premeditated plot to kill Christine Banfield. Prosecutors described how the two created a false social media profile posing as Christine to lure Ryan into a dangerous situation.
During the courtroom proceedings, Magalhães addressed the families of the victims, expressing profound regret for her involvement and acknowledging the irreparable pain caused. “I have caused pain that cannot be measured. I pray for forgiveness from the Benson family and from the Joseph Ryan family,” she stated.
Initially, both Magalhães and Banfield claimed they found Ryan attacking Christine but later, as the investigation progressed, it was revealed that Magalhães fired the second and fatal shot that killed Ryan. In an effort to mitigate her sentence, she cooperated with prosecutors, providing evidence against Banfield during his trial which culminated in his conviction on multiple counts of murder and endangerment.
Both Joseph Ryan’s family and Christine Banfield’s relatives were in attendance for the sentencing, with emotional victim impact statements illustrating the significant loss felt by their loved ones. Ryan’s mother, Deirdre Fisher, poignantly shared her grief, stating she has been unable to remove her Christmas tree, which sits beside her son’s ashes.
With the death penalty abolished in Virginia since 2021, Banfield now faces a life sentence without the possibility of parole. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 8, where he will learn his fate following the jury’s decision in February that found him guilty on various counts related to the tragic events.
This case has garnered widespread media attention and even inspired an upcoming episode of ABC’s “20/20,” titled “The Au Pair, The Affair and Murder,” scheduled to air on February 20. While the events were tragic, the sentencing represents a significant step towards justice for the families impacted by these horrific crimes.