In a shocking courtroom revelation, intimate photographs shared between a Brazilian au pair and a married Virginia man have been presented as evidence in an ongoing murder trial. The images, including a steamy bathtub selfie, were posted just months before the man allegedly stabbed his wife to death as part of a calculated plot.
Intimate Snapshots Presented to Jury
Juliana Peres Magalhães, who worked as a live-in nanny for the family, shared a revealing photograph of herself and former IRS agent Brendan Banfield in December 2022. The image showed the pair cuddling naked in a bubble bath, with Banfield's face obscured by a teary-eyed emoji while Magalhães leaned against his bare chest with a smirk.
The caption, written in Portuguese, declared: "Oh my God, I'm so incredibly in love, I've been smitten since July of last year." This intimate moment was captured while Magalhães was employed to care for the couple's four-year-old daughter.
Twisted Murder Plot Unfolds
Prosecutors allege that Banfield, aged 40, murdered his 37-year-old wife Christine and another man, 39-year-old Joseph Ryan, on February 24, 2023. According to court testimony, the defendant and his lover conspired to lure Ryan to the family home through a BDSM website.
They created an account under Christine's name, tricking Ryan into believing he was invited for a roleplay scenario involving breaking into the home and raping her at knifepoint. Once Ryan entered the property, Banfield allegedly shot him before stabbing his wife to death. The prosecution claims he then staged the scene to appear as though he had discovered his injured wife and was attempting to save her life.
Additional Revealing Photographs
The bathtub selfie was not the only intimate image presented to jurors. Two additional photographs showed the pair at a gun range and sharing a private moment under a table during New Year's Eve celebrations in 2022.
One image captured Magalhães aiming a firearm at a target, her highlighted hair tucked under shooting earmuffs. She captioned this photograph: "The hottie takes a really good photo. HAHAHA." Another snapshot showed Banfield's hand resting on her thigh as they sat together, accompanied by the caption "My New Year" alongside heart and teary-eyed emojis.
Legal Proceedings and Plea Deals
Magalhães was arrested in October 2023 and initially charged with murder. She subsequently pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter as part of a plea agreement, exchanging her cooperation in Banfield's prosecution for reduced charges.
Banfield faces charges of aggravated murder for the killings of both Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan. He has entered a plea of not guilty and could potentially receive a life sentence if convicted. Additional charges include child abuse and felony child cruelty, as his young daughter was present in the home on the morning of the murders.
Disturbing Post-Murder Living Arrangements
Court testimony revealed that Magalhães moved into the marital home shortly after the murders occurred. Fairfax County Sergeant Kenner Fortner told the court that during a visit eight months after the killings, he observed the au pair sleeping in the bed previously shared by the Banfields.
Investigators noted significant changes to the home's interior, including new flooring and bedroom furniture. Photographs that once featured the married couple had been removed and replaced with images of Brendan Banfield and Juliana Magalhães together. Personal items from Magalhães's closet, including "red, lingerie-style clothing items" and a distinctive yellow t-shirt with green trim, had been transferred to the master bedroom.
Murder Weapons Discovered
Detective Terry Leach, the lead crime scene investigator assigned to the case, testified about discovering the murder weapons in the master bedroom. The knife used in the attack was found concealed beneath blankets with the blade facing upward, while two handguns were also recovered from the room.
Detective Leach noted that the firearms appeared to have been moved from their original positions after first responders arrived at the scene and attempted to save Joseph Ryan's life. Both victims' bodies were discovered in the bedroom where these weapons were found.
Future Plans and Media Interest
During cross-examination, Magalhães revealed that she and Banfield had planned a future together after the murders. In a letter to her brother written in August 2024, she informed her family that Banfield intended to relocate to Brazil with her and construct a house there.
The au pair also disclosed that she has been in communication with television producers while incarcerated, discussing potential rights to her story for adaptation on a streaming service. These producers have reportedly become her "support system," providing financial assistance for prison communications and commissary purchases.
When questioned about whether producers had discussed financial terms for her story, Magalhães confirmed they had and stated her intention to share "the truth." No formal agreement has been finalised at this time.
The trial is scheduled to resume shortly, with Magalhães facing sentencing approximately three to four weeks after proceedings conclude. The case continues to unfold with these intimate photographs serving as crucial evidence in the prosecution's narrative of a calculated murder plot born from an illicit affair.
