Brazilian au pair posted loved-up selfies with married IRS agent lover weeks before they plotted to kill his wife in rape fantasy

A Brazilian au pair who allegedly helped murder her lover’s wife and manipulate a would-be accomplice in Virginia posted revealing selfies gushing over her much-older partner just months before the killings.

Juliana Peres Magalhães, 25, shared photos online showing herself and IRS agent Brendan Banfield, 40, together in late 2022. The images, presented to jurors last week during Banfield’s trial, show the couple hugging, sharing intimate moments, and even handling firearms at a shooting range.

In one photo from December 2022, Magalhães appeared relaxed in Banfield’s arms while a large emoji obscured his face. She captioned the image with words expressing deep affection: “Oh my god, I’m so incredibly in love, I’ve been smitten since July of last year.”

The photo was taken two months before Banfield’s wife, Christine, 37, was murdered in their Herndon home. According to Magalhães, she became the family’s live-in au pair the previous summer, caring for their 4-year-old daughter, while also beginning a romantic affair with Banfield.

A person's arm wearing a smartwatch rests on another person's leg. — “My New Year,” Magalhães captioned one photo, showing Banfield’s hand on her thigh. Commonwealth of Virginia

Magalhães testified that Banfield soon discussed “getting rid of” his wife rather than pursuing a divorce. Together, they allegedly created a plan to lure Joseph Ryan, 38, under the pretense of fulfilling a sexual fantasy. The pair reportedly used Christine’s identity on a fetish app to convince Ryan to come to the home for a staged scenario.

Once Ryan arrived in February 2022, Magalhães testified, Banfield allegedly waited to shoot Ryan with his IRS-issued handgun and stab his wife using the knife Ryan had brought—making it appear Banfield had acted to protect her.

Christine Banfield and her husband Brendan Banfield smiling next to a child in a high chair. — Banfield is accused of murdering his wife Christine so he could keep sleeping with their daughter’s nanny. Christine Banfield/Instagram

After Christine’s death, Magalhães moved into the home with Banfield. Jurors saw evidence that she used Christine’s belongings and even slept in the bed where the murder occurred. Other images revealed continued intimacy between the couple, including partially clothed selfies and photos at a firing range.

A New Year’s Eve 2022 photo showed Banfield’s hand on Magalhães’ thigh, captioned “My New Year” with emojis. Another post featured her firing a pistol resembling the one used in the crime, accompanied by playful emojis.

Brendan Banfield and Juliana Magalhaes posing together. — Banfield and Magalhães made a habit out of taking half-naked selfies together. Commonwealth of Virginia

A woman in a bathtub, smiling, with a crying emoji covering part of her face. — Juliana Peres Magalhães smiles in the arms of Brendan Banfield, gushing about how in love she is with him. Commonwealth of Virginia

Magalhães was arrested in October 2023 and later pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2024, a month after Banfield’s arrest in September. During the trial, she detailed the alleged murder plot and their affair. Banfield’s defense argued that she had been pressured by authorities to implicate him.

Banfield, who no longer works for the IRS, faces life in prison if convicted. His trial is expected to continue for several more weeks, with Magalhães’ sentencing scheduled afterward.

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