“Au Pair Affair” At Center Of Virginia Murder Trial: Competing Narratives Over Who Orchestrated ‘TV-Movie’ Scheme

Warning: Graphic content

The opening week of testimony in the Virginia murder trial of Brendan Banfield focused on an alleged extramarital affair with the family’s au pair and whether that relationship motivated an elaborate plot that left two people dead.

Brendan Banfield listens during his double murder trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Fairfax, Virginia.(AP Images)

Case Background

Banfield, a former IRS agent, is charged with aggravated murder in the February 2023 killings of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan at the family home in Herndon, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Prosecutors say Banfield orchestrated the deaths to conceal an affair with the family’s au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães. Banfield has pleaded not guilty.

Prosecution’s Account

Prosecutors contend Banfield controlled the planning and online communications that lured Ryan to the home, then shot Ryan and stabbed his wife. They pointed to digital evidence and Magalhães’ testimony to support their theory that Banfield was the primary architect of the plot.

Christine Banfield was stabbed to death in the bedroom of her Fairfax County, Virginia, home.

“They’re calling it ‘The Au Pair Affair’ — it’s like something out of a TV movie,” said criminal defense attorney Kelly Hyman in court coverage, summarizing the case’s dramatic presentation.

Key Testimony

Magalhães, who admitted her role under a plea agreement and faces a reduced sentence in exchange for cooperation, testified that she had a sexual relationship with Banfield and that the two conspired to kill Christine and stage Ryan’s death as a violent consensual encounter. She said Banfield created an online profile using his wife’s credentials and took the lead in planning the encounter.

Defense Strategy

The defense seeks to undercut Magalhães’ credibility, arguing she is the instigator and pointing to inconsistent prior statements and the benefits of her plea deal as motives to shift blame. Defense lawyers also raised questions about whether digital evidence conclusively ties Banfield to the FetLife account used to contact Ryan.

Juliana Peres Magalhães is escorted into the courtroom during the double murder trial for Brendan Banfield, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Fairfax, Virginia.

Evidence Disputes

Among the contested details is who controlled the FetLife account central to the prosecution’s timeline. Prosecutors rely on digital records and Magalhães’ account; the defense argues multiple household members had access to devices, leaving the evidence open to interpretation.

Prosecutors additionally highlighted what they called the “neatness” of the crime scene — citing details such as Christine’s eyeglasses appearing carefully positioned — as suggesting the scene may have been staged to mislead investigators.

This image, provided by the Fairfax County Police Department and taken on Oct. 13, 2023, was submitted as evidence in the murder case against Brendan Banfield. It shows a framed photo of Banfield and Juliana Peres Magalhães on his bedside table in Herndon, Virginia.

Fairfax County Sgt. Kenner Fortner testified that, in the months after the killings, photographs in the home that previously featured Brendan and Christine were replaced with images of Brendan and Juliana, and that the house had received new flooring and bedroom furnishings.

What’s Next

With Magalhães’ testimony concluded, the trial is expected to shift to forensic evidence and law-enforcement witnesses. The defense has not yet presented its case. The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday at 10 a.m.