The Strange Case of Juliana Peres Magalhaes: 5 questions that need to be answered in mysterious murders
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
RESTON, VIRGINIA: Juliana Peres Magalhaes, a 23-year-old au pair from Reston, Virginia, was arrested on Friday, October 20, in connection to the shooting death of a Springfield man named Joseph Ryan, 39.
His death is part of a mysterious double homicide case that took place on February 24, where Ryan and a woman named Christine Banfield, 37, were found dead in a $1 million Virginia home.
Christine's husband, identified as Brendan Robert Banfield by Fox News, initially claimed that Ryan stabbed his wife before admitting that he shot Ryan. However, police reportedly believe it was Peres Magalhaes who shot and killed Ryan back in February.
As the mystery surrounding the double homicide continues to intensify, let's take a look at the five questions that need to be answered amid the ongoing murder investigation.
Why was Joseph Ryan in the Banfield residence?
One of the biggest answered questions in the double homicide case revolves around Joseph Ryan's presence at the Banfield home on the day of the murder.
While Brendan Robert Banfield initially told cops that Ryan had "barged into the home," authorities apparently said there was no sign of forced entry into the residence, as per the Daily Mail.
The details of Ryan's specific relationship with the Banfields also remain unclear, but officials are of the opinion that he was likely not a stranger to Christine Banfield.
"We just have to sort out who was responsible for what, we have to sort out the exact nature of Mr Ryan's presence inside the house," said Fairfax Police Chief Kevin Davis to Fox News at the time of the murder.
He added, "We don't think he is necessarily a stranger but we're still working to determine more facts before we describe him," and mentioned that he did not know if Ryan had been to the Banfield home before the day of the murders.
Why did Juliana Peres Magalhaes hang up the 911 call?
On February 24, the day of the double murders, Juliana Peres Magalhaes reportedly called the police around 7.50 am only to hang up the phone immediately after it went through.
The au pair did place another call about 10 minutes after the first call and said that her "friend" was hurt. Right at that moment, Brendan Robert Banfield joined the call, spoke to authorities, and claimed he killed Joseph Ryan.
Peres Magalhaes' first 911 call and the reason behind the au pair immediately hanging up the phone remains unanswered. It is also not known what happened in the 10 minutes between her first and second 911 calls.
Who did Juliana Peres Magalhaes refer to as a 'friend'?
During Juliana Peres Magalhaes' second 911 call, she told officials that her "friend" was hurt but did not specify the identity of the person.
It is not known if the live-in au pair referred to the stabbed Christine Banfield or Joseph Ryan as her "hurt friend" or if she referred to an entirely different person than that of the victims.
Meanwhile, several web sleuths took to Reddit to claim that Peres Magalhaes' was having an alleged affair with Brendan Robert Banfield.
"The Au Pair and the father/husband were having an affair, she posted many pictures of them on dates on her social media, they attended multiple events together," claimed one.
The user even shared a screenshot of an alleged Instagram image posted by Peres Magalhaes, purportedly showing her and Brendan in what seems like a restaurant.
Another user even translated and explained the caption on the image, writing, "Basically someone asked if she’s dating a Brazilian or an American, and asks her to tell more."
"And then she posts a pic of them both saying 'no he’s American and it’s been months, I’m living low profile. He is 38 and treats me like a princess and is hot (to kill ur curiosity)' and then another stuff she says they both love fall out boy," explained the user.
However, so far the claims have only emerged in online speculations and theories, but no official statement or report has been provided to support the affair allegations.
Who killed Christine Banfield?
Christine Banfield was found stabbed to death in an upstairs bedroom when police arrived at the Banfield household around 8.13 am on February, and her husband, Brendan Robert Banfield, told Joseph Ryan had stabbed her.
However, police have not confirmed if Ryan, who was found dead in the same house at the same time, actually stabbed and killed Christine.
After reaching the home, authorities reportedly took Christine to the hospital, but she failed to survive and died after succumbing to her injuries.
So far, Juliana Peres Magalhaes has also not been charged in Christine's death. Therefore, the confirmed identity of her killer remains shrouded in mystery.
Officials also shared that Christine's four-year-old daughter was present at home when the murders apparently took place but remained physically unharmed. Fairfax Police Chief Kevin Davis previously said, "The truest victim of all of this is that poor girl."
While investigators have not yet revealed any particular motive behind Christine or Ryan's murders, in February, Chief Davis noted, "I think the person or persons responsible for this are already known to us."
Why did Brendan Robert Banfield admit to killing Joseph Ryan?
Although Juliana Peres Magalhaes has now been arrested for Joseph Ryan's death, it was Brendan Robert Banfield who first claimed to have killed him.
When Brendan spoke to a dispatcher during Peres Magalhaes' second 911 call, he claimed that he shot Ryan after the latter barged into his home and stabbed his wife.
However, he has not faced any criminal charges so far and has also remained silent about Peres Magalhaes' arrest in connection to Ryan's death at the time of writing.
Therefore, the reason behind Brendan's immediate admission of killing Ryan followed by an eventual silence has become another point of mystery in the case.
It also remains unanswered if Peres Magalhaes actually shot Ryan and if Brendan attempted to cover up for her on the day of the murder.
Amid a string of online theories, one Reddit user asked, "Why isn't the husband charged with lying to the police or tampering with evidence then?"
In response, another said, "That is likely coming in the future. It seems the au pair has been living there this whole time. Has to be in a rx with Brendan Banfield. Why else would he cover for her?"
One expressed, "There’s something that doesn’t add up here…," while a user added, "Including the husband's original claim that he shot the person, but the evidence showed that the au pair did."
"Apparently he was a federal agent...so might have been his gun...and that's why he claimed he shot," claimed one more.
A user shared, "the biggest theory then was husband came home and found wife with the "friend." it was bizarre, and I wouldn't be surprised if the husband also gets charged with something because why would he lie? and why is there a charge if the "friend" stabbed the wife? isn't that defense of some kind?"
In between a sea of online speculation surrounding the mysterious murders, the truth remains unanswered.
Meanwhile, Peres Magalhaes, who is being held at the Fairfax County Jail, is reportedly yet to enter a plea to the second-degree murder charge at the time of writing.