Au Pair Sentenced: 10 Years for Double Murder Plot | Juliana Peres Magalhães Case

Brazilian Au Pair Sentenced to 10 Years in Virginia Double Murder Case

February 13, 2026 – Juliana Peres Magalhães, a 25-year-old Brazilian au pair, was sentenced to 10 years in prison today for her role in the 2023 murders of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan in Fairfax County, Virginia. The sentence, handed down by Judge Penney Azcarate, is the maximum allowed for the involuntary manslaughter charge to which Magalhães pleaded guilty in October 2024.

The case, which involved allegations of an affair, a meticulously planned “catfishing” scheme and deadly violence, captivated national attention. Prosecutors detailed how Magalhães and Brendan Banfield, her former employer and lover, conspired to kill Banfield’s wife, Christine, and Ryan, who was lured to the Banfield home under false pretenses.

Judge Azcarate, in delivering her ruling, rejected the prosecution’s recommendation of time served, stating that Magalhães’ actions were “deliberate, self-serving and demonstrated a profound disregard for human life.” She added, “You do not deserve anything other than incarceration and a life of reflection on what you have done to the victim and his family.”

The plot centered around a fabricated online persona created by Magalhães, impersonating Christine Banfield on a social media site catering to sexual fetishes. This deception led Ryan, 39, to believe he was engaging in a consensual encounter with Christine, ultimately luring him to the Banfield residence on February 24, 2023.

According to prosecutors, Magalhães played a crucial role in the scheme, including impersonating Christine Banfield in a phone conversation with Ryan. Upon Ryan’s arrival, Brendan Banfield allegedly shot and killed him, claiming self-defense, alleging Ryan had attacked his wife with a knife. Magalhães then fired a second shot at Ryan, contributing to his death. Christine Banfield, who had suffered multiple stab wounds, later died at a local hospital.

As part of her plea agreement, Magalhães agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in their case against Banfield, who faces four counts of aggravated murder and seven total charges. Initially, the agreement stipulated a recommendation for a sentence of time served, contingent on her continued cooperation. However, Judge Azcarate ultimately determined that the severity of the crime warranted a more substantial punishment.

Magalhães, who was employed as a live-in nanny by the Banfields, had been in custody since her arrest in October 2023. As a citizen of Brazil, she is expected to be deported following her sentencing. The rescheduling of Banfield’s trial, set to begin in October, had raised concerns about Magalhães’ ability to fulfill her obligations under the plea agreement if she were no longer in the United States.

A new episode of ABC’s “20/20,” titled “The Au Pair, The Affair and Murder,” is scheduled to air on February 20, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET, and will be available for streaming the following day on Disney+ and Hulu.