In Herndon Double Homicide, Family's Au Pair Charged In 1 Killing

HERNDON, VA — A family's au pair has been charged in one of two homicides at a Herndon area home in February, according to Fairfax County Police.

The killings happened on Feb. 24, 2023 at a home in the home in the 13200 block of Stable Brook Way in the Hattontown neighborhood of Herndon. Police found Christine Banfield, 37, with upper body stab wounds and Joseph Ryan, 39, of Springfield, with upper body gunshot wounds.

Banfield was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead, while Ryan was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 4-year-old girl was home when the shooting occurred and was not hurt, police said.

Based on forensic evidence and interviews, the au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes, 23, of Reston, was charged with second-degree murder in Ryan's death. She is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

Detectives are continuing to review what led to the fatal stabbing of Banfield.

The Washington Post reported that Banfield’s husband, identified in court document as Brendan Robert Banfield, told a 911 dispatcher he had shot Ryan. Brendan Banfield also accused Ryan of stabbing Christine Banfield.

At a news briefing after the killings, Police Chief Kevin Davis said the au pair and Banfield’s husband both called 911. The husband had told a 911 dispatcher he shot a man who had entered the home and stabbed Banfield. The husband has not been charged by police.

Ryan did not live at the home, but police found no evidence of a forced entry, the Post reported.