Brendan Banfield, a former IRS law enforcement officer, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Friday for the 2023 murders of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan. The convictions stem from a plot involving his affair with the family’s Brazilian au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Banfield was found guilty in February on two counts of aggravated murder, one count of using a firearm in committing a felony, and child endangerment. Prosecutors alleged that Banfield and Magalhães lured Ryan to their home under the pretense of a consensual sexual fantasy, then killed him and Christine Banfield to cover up their affair. Banfield maintained his innocence during the trial and sentencing, claiming he acted in self-defense.
Judge Penney Azcarate described Banfield’s actions as "evil" and "calculated," emphasizing the impact on the couple’s 4-year-old daughter. The judge also sentenced Banfield to additional years for child endangerment and firearms charges. Magalhães testified that Banfield used Christine Banfield’s laptop to create a fake profile on a fetish website to lure Ryan.
During the trial, Banfield admitted to having affairs but denied orchestrating the murders. He argued that dissent within the police department over the investigation’s theory undermined the prosecution’s case. However, the judge rejected his claims and upheld the convictions.