Nanny accomplice in double murder calls employer her ‘husband’ in police footage

Juliana Peres Magalhães, the nanny for a suburban Virginia family who recently pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a double homicide case, was captured hyperventilating in new police body camera footage from the Fairfax County Police Department. This shocking footage reveals the emotional turmoil Magalhães is facing as she navigates the aftermath of the tragic events that unfolded in February 2023.

Magalhães, a Brazilian national, reportedly developed romantic feelings for her employer, former IRS agent Brendan Banfield. The pair have been accused of orchestrating a complex plot to murder Banfield’s wife, Christine Banfield, who was the mother of his 4-year-old daughter. Additionally, a man named Joe Ryan was also killed as part of the alleged scheme after being lured to the Banfields’ home through a sexual fetish website.

In the newly released video from February 2023, Magalhães can be heard referring to Brendan Banfield as her “husband” while recounting the events to the police. She describes the violent encounter with Ryan, stating that he was stabbed by Banfield and ultimately shot. Magalhães expressed confusion and shock, claiming she had never seen Ryan before the incident.

Magalhães, who was 22 at the time of her initial arrest in October 2023, faced charges of aggravated murder and use of a gun in the commission of a felony. She had been living in the main bedroom of the Banfields’ Herndon home, with a photo of herself and Brendan displayed on a nightstand beside the bed.

Brendan Banfield, a 39-year-old IRS employee, was arrested in September, more than a year after the murders took place. He is facing four counts of aggravated murder and use of a gun in the commission of a felony, with a potential life sentence looming over him.

The tragic events that unfolded on that fateful day in February 2023 left Christine Banfield stabbed to death and Joe Ryan fatally shot in the Banfields’ home. Authorities recovered a knife and two guns from the scene, shedding light on the violent nature of the crimes.

While the details of the events leading up to the murders remain unclear, both Magalhães and Brendan have confessed to shooting Ryan during a confrontation where he was holding a knife to Christine. Magalhães is now facing a charge of second-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon during the commission of a crime.

In the midst of this devastating situation, Viviane Magalhães, Juliana’s stepmother, expressed her hope for Juliana to return to Brazil soon. She believes Juliana was manipulated and deceived by Banfield, insisting that her stepdaughter was never motivated by material possessions or wealth.

As this tragic saga continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and dangers that can arise in relationships, and the devastating consequences that can result from misplaced emotions and intentions. The aftermath of this double homicide case has left a community reeling and seeking answers in the wake of such senseless violence.