Involvement with IRS Agent and Complex Murder Plot Unveiled
A Brazilian au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Tuesday, admitting to her role in a double homicide scheme devised with her lover, IRS agent Brendan Banfield, to murder his wife. Court documents reveal how the pair plotted to stage the murder as a home invasion, manipulating evidence to implicate another man in the February 24, 2023, killing.
Details of the Guilty Plea and Prosecutor’s Evidence
In court, Magalhães admitted her involvement in the plan to kill Christine Banfield, Brendan Banfield’s wife, with the intent to frame another man. Magalhães agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter after prosecutors detailed how she and Brendan Banfield attempted to cover up their crime by setting up the victim’s social media account to lure a man named Joe Ryan into the home under false pretenses.
Prosecutors explained that Magalhães called 911 twice on the day of the murder, feigning distress as she reported the attack. However, forensic evidence later revealed that blood from Christine Banfield’s wounds had been intentionally smeared onto Ryan to create the appearance of a struggle. Court documents further indicate that Magalhães moved into the Banfield home’s primary bedroom shortly after the murder, signaling the start of her relationship with Brendan Banfield.
Long-Term Affair and Pre-Meditated Plotting
According to prosecutors, Magalhães and Banfield’s affair began in August 2022, nearly a year before Christine’s murder. Evidence shows that Brendan Banfield took steps to plot his wife’s murder, setting up a fake profile for her on a social networking site for people interested in fetish encounters. He used this profile to initiate contact with Ryan, who was unknowingly lured into a lethal trap.
“At various points before the 24th, Peres Magalhães expressed to Brendan Banfield that she did not believe he would go through with this plan and, at other times she told him she did not want to continue,” Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Clingan stated.
Sentencing and Cooperation with Investigators
Magalhães’ sentencing will occur after the conclusion of Brendan Banfield’s trial, with her cooperation likely to affect the final sentence. Her attorney confirmed that she had agreed to testify against Banfield in exchange for the reduced charge of manslaughter.
In the courtroom, her stepmother Viviane Magalhães voiced hope that her stepdaughter’s cooperation would allow her to return to Brazil once sentencing is complete. “She was never a gold digger,” she said. “We believe she was manipulated by Brendan into this nightmare.”
Remaining Legal Challenges
Magalhães awaits sentencing while Banfield, who faces aggravated murder charges, remains in custody without bail. Prosecutors have indicated that they cannot yet disclose all details of Magalhães’ cooperation due to the upcoming trial against Banfield. The case remains under close scrutiny, with the court awaiting further evidence of Banfield’s involvement and potential manipulation of Magalhães.
