FAIRFAX, United States — Brendan Banfield, a former Internal Revenue Service agent convicted of killing his wife and another man in a 2023 plot involving the family’s au pair, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Judge Penney Azcarate handed down the mandatory sentence on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Northern Virginia, months after Banfield, 40, was found guilty of aggravated murder and related offences in the deaths of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan.
Banfield was convicted in February on two counts of aggravated murder, one count of using a firearm while committing a felony, and child endangerment.
“The level of cruelty, calculation, and inhumanity in this case reflects something far deeper than anger or impulse; it reflects evil, which is why I carry no burden and find no hesitation in sentencing you to life,” Azcarate said.
Banfield has 30 days to appeal the conviction and sentence.
Au Pair Cooperated With Prosecutors
Juliana Peres Magalhaes, the Banfields’ former au pair, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the case and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Magalhaes had initially faced a second-degree murder charge but received a lesser sentence after agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors and testify during Banfield’s trial.
Prosecutors said Banfield and Magalhaes were involved in an affair and created a fake online profile to lure Ryan, 39, to the Banfield home in Herndon, Virginia, on February 24, 2023.
The profile, which used the name “Annastasia9,” presented itself as Christine Banfield and described a planned sexual encounter at the home, according to testimony cited in court.
Prosecutors said the plan was intended to draw Ryan to the house as part of a scheme against Christine Banfield.
Banfield denied the allegations during the trial, calling them “absolutely crazy.”
Victims’ Relatives Address Court
At sentencing, relatives of both victims spoke about the effect of the killings.
Danielle, Christine Banfield’s sister, addressed Banfield directly during her victim impact statement, saying his daughter would eventually understand that he had placed her in danger.
“He could have divorced and moved on, but divorce would have required relinquishing control, and control was always the priority. His actions were not driven by love, but a desire for power, deception, and a complete disregard for the lies he destroyed,” she said.
Deirdre Fisher, Ryan’s mother, appeared remotely because of medical reasons.
“Brendan will remain known as an abusive father, the brutal murderer of his dedicated and compassionate, beautiful wife, and a narcissistic killer of an innocent man,” Fisher said.
Banfield Maintains Innocence
Before sentencing, Banfield criticised the investigation and the prosecution’s case, saying he was “greatly disappointed in the legal system.”
He said the prosecution and its witnesses had presented statements that did not match the evidence and argued that the Fairfax County Police Department had not properly investigated Ryan.
Banfield also spoke about his marriage to Christine Banfield.
“I loved her very much, despite what you may think of my affairs. Our marriage worked for us,” he said.
“She truly was a caring, a caring mother, caring wife, loving nurse. But I am not responsible. I am not responsible for her death,” he added.
During the trial, Banfield admitted that he had cheated on his wife with Magalhaes and with several other women.
He testified that he shot Ryan only after seeing him attack Christine Banfield.
“I did not want to shoot him,” Banfield said. “Um, I wanted him to let her go.”
Prosecutors said the evidence showed that Banfield killed his wife and shot Ryan as part of a calculated plot. Magalhaes also testified that she shot Ryan during the incident.
