Crime Stories with Nancy Grace – BODY BAGS WITH JOSEPH SCOTT MORGAN

Episode: "Au Pair Love Triangle Murder Trial: What Does The Forensic Evidence Show?"

Date: February 1, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the complex murder case involving IRS Special Agent Brendan Banfield, his wife Christine, and their au pair Juliana Perez Magaly, centering on the violent deaths of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan. Hosts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave (co-host) meticulously dissect the forensic evidence, alleged motives, digital breadcrumbs, and crime scene staging associated with the so-called "au pair love triangle" and address whether the forensic evidence aligns with the narrative presented by the defense. The tone is frank, occasionally sardonic, and deeply analytical, leaning heavily on Joseph’s seasoned forensic expertise.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background & Case Participants

• Brendan Banfield: IRS special agent, husband, and central figure now on trial.
• Christine Banfield: Wife, 37, found nude and stabbed in her home.
• Juliana Perez Magaly: 23-year-old Brazilian au pair, allegedly involved romantically with Brendan.
• Joseph Ryan: 39-year-old man, shot dead in the Banfield home, claimed to be a stranger prior to the event.

"Whoever was in charge of acquiring wealth in my family, they failed miserably...I never understood these folks that sign up to take care of other people’s children. But here we are, looking at a million-dollar home and an au pair in suburban Virginia."
— Joseph Scott Morgan, [02:00]

2. Timeline and Initial Events

• Morning of February 24, 2023: Multiple 911 calls from the Banfield home reporting a stabbing and shooting, two victims found.
• First 911 Call: Made and disconnected at 7:45 a.m.
• Second 911 Call: 15 minutes later, au pair connects and hands the phone to Brendan, who claims he shot a man stabbing his wife.

“When there’s more than one 911 call made from a residence and you’ve got dead bodies, somebody didn’t have their story straight.”
— Dave, [03:54]

3. The Defense's Story

• Defense alleges Christine solicited Joseph Ryan via a fetish website for a violent rape fantasy.
• Digital forensics revealed a profile for Christine on such a site, arranging the meeting.
• The official story: Au pair leaves for the zoo with the child, sees Ryan entering, notifies Brendan, both return, and "walk in" on an attack.

“We’re talking about going down a really, really dark path...you're trying to sell me on the idea she wanted this stranger to come into her home? I mean, I don’t know, call me old fashioned, but from an investigative standpoint, this thing stunk to high heaven.”
— Joseph Scott Morgan, [16:09]

4. Crime Scene Complexity & Forensic Issues

• Christine stabbed multiple times in an upstairs bedroom.
• Joseph Ryan shot multiple times; wounds from two different guns.
• Multiple forensic challenges: excessive blood complicating wound analysis, cross-contamination, and an absence of pristine context when Christine is removed and dies at the hospital.
• Sharp force (stabbing) vs. gunshot wounds and their investigative implications.

“There was so much blood here that it would have been really, really hard to completely interpret things in it to its fullest extent.”
— Joseph Scott Morgan, [21:48]

5. Digital & Behavioral Evidence

• Forensic evidence quickly pointed toward a relationship between Brendan and Juliana.
• They switched out phones days before the attack—interpreted as an attempt to hide digital records.
• Juliana moves her clothes into Christine’s closet just months after the murder.
• Both had training at the firing range days prior, and the Glock used in the crime was newly purchased.

“Pretty quickly after the death of his wife...the au pair moves into the master bedroom and hangs her clothes in the closet of Brendan Manfield’s dead wife.”
— Dave, [10:31]

“They found digital evidence, physical evidence, forensic evidence, and circumstantial evidence that it appeared to them that Banfield and Perez Magaly...were involved in a sexual relationship.”
— Dave, [35:24]

6. Discrepancies, Motive & Aftermath

• The timeline of phone calls, presence in the home, and witness statements didn't align “naturally.”
• Brendan refused police interviews; only communicated via doctor/hospital personnel.
• Investigators suspected scene staging, motivated by the love affair and desire to eliminate Christine.

“But here’s the interesting thing...he would understand the basics of how to process a crime scene. He’s a cop. And the fact that he would not engage in conversation with police officers...is rather odd from the beginning.”
— Joseph Scott Morgan, [32:15]

7. Au Pair's Legal Turn & Prosecution Moves

• It took over a year and a half for arrests.
• Au pair made a deal with prosecutors after her story was scrutinized and the defense tried to suppress her statements.
• At trial, Juliana admitted to creating the fetish website profile with Brendan, exposing the plan as premeditated.

“She copped a deal and has admitted now because...the defense was saying, well, see, Christine just had this really dark side. At trial, you know, this is ongoing. But the au pair said she created it, that they created the profile.”
— Dave, [46:29]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Law Enforcement Solidarity vs. Secrecy:

  “You carry a gun and a badge, Joe, I think you’re duty bound to talk to cops.”
  — Dave, [38:06]

• On Forensic Investigation:

  "Let me make my own assessment. Because at that point in time my mind is still kind of in a pristine state...unaffected by whatever kind of static is coming in.”
  — Joseph Scott Morgan, [22:09]

• Dark Humor Break:

  “When you said Russian, I thought you meant she was hurrying. I’m sorry.”
  — Dave, [18:08]

• On Staging and Motive:

  "As an investigator, you walk onto a scene, and there has been a bloodbath...you know you've entered into another level as an investigator.”
  — Joseph Scott Morgan, [19:58]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction and Relating to the Case – [00:33 – 03:18]
• Case Summary & Initial Crime Scene Details – [03:18 – 07:24]
• Fetish Website Theory Discussed and Debunked – [10:04 – 16:09]
• Crime Scene Forensics and Investigation Nuances – [21:48 – 23:43]
• 911 Call Timeline Dissection – [23:43 – 27:51]
• Analysis of Forensics and Banfield’s Law Enforcement Training – [27:51 – 34:48]
• Digital Evidence & Post-Murder Behavior – [34:48 – 38:36]
• Gun Ballistics and Forensic Clarification – [39:10 – 43:12]
• Final Breakthrough & Au Pair’s Admission – [43:12 – 46:47]

Conclusion

This episode offers a masterclass in forensic skepticism and methodical reasoning, making clear how digital forensics, scene staging, and behavioral evidence can unravel the official story to reveal deeper motives and complicity. The hosts highlight the necessity of challenging improbable victim narratives and underscore the importance of context, both physical and digital, in homicide investigations.

Original Tone: Candid, experienced, at times darkly humorous—with a relentless focus on uncovering the forensic truth behind tabloid headlines.