Crime House 24/7

Episode: The Au Pair Murder Plot: What to Know as Trial Kicks Off

Host: Vanessa Richardson
Date: January 12, 2026

Episode Overview

This daytime episode of Crime House 24/7, hosted by Vanessa Richardson, delivers the latest updates on the high-profile "Au Pair Murder Plot" case out of Fairfax County, Virginia, as jury selection begins. The show also covers major developments in the Rob Reiner family murder in Los Angeles, a chilling grave robbery case in Pennsylvania, the sentencing in a two-decade-old Ohio cold case, and a thoughtful preview on the cultural obsession with the Jimmy Hoffa disappearance.

Key Segments & Detailed Summaries

1. Fairfax County, VA: The Au Pair Murder Plot Trial Begins

Segment: [03:00–09:30]
Theme: Breaking trial news of Brendan Banfield, accused in a double homicide linked to an alleged conspiracy with the family au pair.

Key Points:

• Brendan Banfield, former IRS special agent, stands trial for the February 24, 2023 murders of his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan.
• Prosecutors allege an elaborate plot: Banfield and the live-in au pair, Juliana Perez Magalas, had an affair. Magalas believed Banfield would divorce his wife; instead, she claims he said he would "take care of it."
• Online deception: Investigators say Banfield and Magalas used a fake profile, posing as Christine Banfield on a fetish website, to lure Joseph Ryan—a stranger to the family—to the home under the pretense of a consensual sexual encounter.
• The Crime Scene: Prosecutors allege Banfield shot and killed Ryan, then fatally stabbed his wife Christine, attempting to stage it as a home invasion.
• Banfield's 911 Call: He admitted to shooting a man, claiming self-defense after Ryan allegedly stabbed his wife. Banfield maintains his innocence.
• Child endangerment: Their four-year-old daughter was present during the killings, leading to further charges.
• Magalas' Involvement: The au pair originally faced second-degree murder charges for Ryan’s death but pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2024, agreeing to testify against Banfield.
• Key Quote:
  “Prosecutors say Magalas has agreed to cooperate fully and is expected to testify against Banfield at trial, making her testimony one of the most closely watched elements of the case.” (Vanessa Richardson, [06:30])
• Legal complications: The judge ruled a forensic interview with the Banfield’s daughter inadmissible; a change in prosecutor caused delays after the lead prosecutor was caught drinking in public.
• Trial outlook: The case likely hinges on digital evidence, forensics, and the credibility of Magalas' testimony.

2. Los Angeles, CA: Rob Reiner Family Homicide

Segment: [09:40–12:10]
Theme: Legal update on the murder of famed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle Singer, allegedly at the hands of their son.

Key Points:

• Rob Reiner (legendary actor/director) and wife Michelle Singer were murdered Dec. 14, 2025.
• Son Nick Reiner is accused; the motivation remains unclear, but the family had a documented troubled history involving Nick’s substance abuse and instability.
• Notable defense attorney Alan Jackson withdrew (“circumstances beyond his control”), replaced by public defender Kimberly Greene, whose background is summarized.
• Arraignment postponed to Feb. 23, 2026. Nick faces special-circumstances charges and is eligible for life without parole or the death penalty.
• Discovery of the bodies: Reiner’s daughter Romy found her parents after repeated calls went unanswered. Both suffered fatal stab wounds.
• No clear motive disclosed; family remains in mourning and requests privacy.
• Key Quote:
  “They’ve appealed for privacy and compassion as the case moves through the courts.” (Vanessa Richardson, [11:15])

3. Eastern Pennsylvania: Massive Grave Robbery Discovered

Segment: [12:20–15:10]
Theme: Grisly arrest after discovery of over 100 human skeletons.

Key Points:

• Jonathan Gerlach, 34, arrested in Yeadon, PA, after being caught with a burlap bag of bones near Mount Mariah Cemetery.
• Discovery: Police found full and partial human remains—including skulls and mummified limbs—in his home and car; some with medical devices still attached.
• Extent: Prosecutors allege at least 26 mausoleums and vaults were robbed, with some remains dating back 200 years.
• Alleged motive: Investigators link Gerlach to a Facebook group called the “Human Bones and Skull Selling Group.” The function/purpose of the remains is still under investigation.
• Charges: Over 570 criminal counts including abuse of a corpse, burglary, and desecration.
• Key Quote:
  “Some people are comparing this case to the infamous serial killer Ed Gein… It’s important to note… investigators haven’t released a motive yet.” (Vanessa Richardson, [14:23])
• District Attorney reaction: The crime described as among “the most disturbing things he had ever seen.”

4. Ohio Cold Case: Justice for Regina Ro Hicks

Segment: [15:10–17:40]
Theme: Closure in a 2001 staged car accident/murder.

Key Points:

• Paul Hicks sentenced to 25 years to life for the murder of his wife Regina Ro Hicks, nearly 24 years after the fact.
• Crime Details: Originally staged as an accident; Ro was found in her car submerged in a pond, with bruising consistent with foul play.
• Breakthrough: New evidence placed Hicks with Ro at the time, and multiple witnesses noted questionable behavior and attempts to deflect blame (including claims about a “twin brother”).
• Family relief: The conviction marks closure after two decades.
• Key Quote:
  “Regina Rowe was found dead 24 years ago and now the truth about her final moments has finally been revealed.” (Vanessa Richardson, [17:30])
• Attorney General: The case cited as proof that “cold cases are never closed.”

5. Deep Dive Preview: The Mystery of Jimmy Hoffa

Segment: [20:41–end]
Theme: Teaser for a deeper analysis of the Hoffa disappearance and organized crime’s influence.

Key Insights:

• Five big questions around Hoffa’s disappearance:
  1. The transformation of unions into power structures and the dangers this posed.
  2. Why the Midwest was a center of organized crime—not just New York/New Jersey.
  3. How nondescript V8 sedans (like the Mercury Marquis) became ideal for organized crime.
  4. The difficulty of prosecuting crime when evidence/additional witnesses are lacking.
  5. The comfort we draw from pop-culture narratives versus unresolved reality.
• Key Quotes:
  “If a powerful structure’s been running smoothly without you, suddenly trying to reclaim control doesn’t make you a hero, it makes you a threat.” ([21:23])
  “Some crimes stay unsolved not because they’re confusing, but because they’re carefully designed to leave no usable trail.” ([23:45])
  “Pop culture fills in the gaps, smoothing over uncertainty with certainty. Over time, those stories start to feel more real than the evidence itself.” ([24:18])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the trial’s turning point:
  “Prosecutors say Magalas has agreed to cooperate fully and is expected to testify against Banfield at trial, making her testimony one of the most closely watched elements of the case.” (Vanessa Richardson, [06:30])
• On the gruesome grave robbery:
  “Some people are comparing this case to the infamous serial killer Ed Gein… It’s important to note… investigators haven’t released a motive yet.” (Vanessa Richardson, [14:23])
• On Jimmy Hoffa and organized crime:
  “If a powerful structure’s been running smoothly without you, suddenly trying to reclaim control doesn’t make you a hero, it makes you a threat.” (Vanessa Richardson, [21:23])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• The Au Pair Murder Plot Trial – [03:00–09:30]
• Rob Reiner Family Homicide Update – [09:40–12:10]
• Pennsylvania Grave Robbery – [12:20–15:10]
• Ohio Cold Case Sentencing – [15:10–17:40]
• Jimmy Hoffa Deep Dive Preview and Analysis – [20:41–end]

Tone & Language

Vanessa Richardson delivers with a clear, balanced, and slightly dramatic tone, blending official updates with sensitive context for families and victims. She balances factual summaries with reflective questions, especially in the Jimmy Hoffa segment, where she explores not just the crime but its cultural aftershocks.

Summary

This episode of Crime House 24/7 gives listeners a concise yet thorough breakdown of the biggest developing true crime stories: a complex love triangle and murder plot in Virginia, tragic Hollywood family violence, a shocking mass grave robbery, long-overdue justice in an Ohio cold case, and the enduring mystery of Jimmy Hoffa. Vanessa Richardson informs, contextualizes, and prompts listeners to consider not just the details, but also the bigger societal and cultural implications of these headline-grabbing cases.