RedHanded Podcast Episode #436

"Brendan Banfield: The Au Pair Affair Murders"
February 12, 2026

Overview

In this episode, hosts Sirutti and Hannah plunge into the sensational double-murder case that has captivated true crime enthusiasts and the internet alike: the 2023 killings of Christine Banfield and Joe Ryan in suburban Virginia. With the trial's conclusion arriving literally a day before recording, the hosts examine how a seemingly “all-American” family spiraled into a dark web of deception, sexual kink, and murder—with an au pair and her lover at the center of it all.

Key Themes

• The illusion of the perfect family—and the secrets beneath
• Dark twists of infidelity, manipulation, and sexual fetish
• The intersection of technology (catfishing, digital forensics) and crime
• Ethical dilemmas in plea deals and justice
• The exploitation of a stranger for a grisly scapegoat

The Players (03:51-08:33)

• Brendan Banfield: IRS criminal investigator (“more pencil pusher than 007”), described as "bland" and "beige, forgettable looking" ([08:51]). He was 15 years older than the au pair.
• Christine Banfield: Hard-working pediatric nurse, universally known as a devoted mother.
• Juliana Perez Margulies: Brazilian au pair, 21 when she arrived, “striking resemblance to America Ferrera” ([09:24]), new to America, seeking opportunity.
• Joe Ryan: The “unknowing patsy”—a 39-year-old D.C. man with knife-play kinks, lured into the deadly scenario via catfishing.

“Neighbours saw the Banfields as the perfect all-American family. I know people are gonna be upset. 'All American' doesn't mean anything.”
— Hannah ([05:01])

The Affair and Murder Plot (08:33-20:40)

• Brendan and Juliana’s affair ignited mid-2022, first seeming trivial but intensifying as Brendan began voicing murderous intent. Divorce was ruled out due to potential financial loss and custody disputes.
• Juliana initially thought Brendan’s murder talk was a joke, but he “was drop-dead serious” ([12:34]).
• Brendan claimed his IRS and law enforcement experience gave him the perfect know-how for the “perfect murder.”
• He involved Juliana in firearms training ([17:11]), with her later posting gun range photos with tongue-in-cheek captions on Instagram.
• Step-by-step, he meticulously prepared:
  • Outfitted the house with soundproofing ([19:26])
  • Tested scream audibility with Juliana
  • Sought the “perfect” plan.

The Catfishing Fetlife Plot (20:40-28:08)

• Stage 1: Fake FetLife profile (“Anastasia9”) created in Christine’s name (with a gym selfie picture).
• Stage 2: Target selected (Joe Ryan: “tacosupreme7000”)—a man interested in knife play and rough roleplay.
• Stage 3: “Christine” arranges a meeting simulating a violent housewife fantasy at the Banfield home.
• The plan: Frame Joe as an attacker, then kill him in “self-defense.” Both Brendan and Juliana reinforced this story to police.

“They started to consider that this could be a sexual meeting between Christine and Joe that had somehow gone sideways. So from Brandon's point of view, everything was going perfectly to plan.”
— Hannah ([34:43])

The Murders & 911 Calls (28:08-34:43)

• On the morning of February 24, 2023:
  • Juliana claims she and Valerie left for the zoo but “forgot” their lunches and returned.
  • Brendan returns, and purportedly, they stumble upon Joe Ryan attacking Christine.
  • Brendan shoots Joe Ryan; Juliana is told to retrieve (and use) another gun.
  • Christine is found savagely stabbed, Joe is shot. Both Brendan’s and Juliana’s 911 calls are strikingly flat and unconvincing.

“That call is incredibly cringe… [Brendan] is on a fucking power trip. This entire case, this is this man on a power trip. I'm like, you're a fucking IRS investigator weeding out tax evaders. At most, like, calm the fuck down.”
— Sirutti ([28:47])

Cracks in the Story (37:23-46:41)

Investigative Red Flags:

• Timeline Precision: Brendan and Juliana’s hyper-detailed timeline raised suspicions ([37:23]).
• Christine's Character Contradiction: Friends doubted Christine's involvement in fetishes; zero digital footprint of interest in BDSM or kink ([38:34], [80:58]).
• Crime Scene Forensics: Blood patterns inconsistent with their story—signs of body repositioning, blood unnaturally smeared ([42:08], [43:53]).
• Behavior Post-Murder: Juliana moved into the master bedroom with Brendan; daughter Valerie asked Juliana “Should I call you Mummy now?” ([44:14]).

“If you rob a bank, the number one rule is don't immediately start living like you just robbed a bank.”
— Hannah ([46:41])

Law Enforcement Response and Split (48:58-53:46)

• Charges: Juliana charged with second-degree murder for Joe Ryan; Brendan initially remains free, even working as an Uber driver ([49:18]).
• Divide & Conquer: Prosecutors isolate Juliana, offer a sweetheart plea deal to flip testimony against Brendan.
• Juliana’s Loyalty Wanes: Charming love letters and vows to take the blame—until jail changes her mind and reality sets in ([51:05]).

The Trial: Star Witness and Cross-Examination (53:46-69:22)

• Juliana's Testimony: Now the prosecution’s key witness, she lays out the full plot:
  • No real zoo trip; waited for Joe to arrive, called Brendan (waiting at McDonald's) ([55:30]).
  • Watched Brendan stab Christine, then herself shot a wounded Joe ([57:12]).
  • Afterward, they rearranged the scene, smeared blood, and fabricated the entire story for police.
• Defense Attack: Hammer away at her credibility, plea deal incentives, and financial motivations (Netflix documentary negotiations, paid commissary) ([64:02], [66:19]).
• Digital Forensic Limitations: Experts agree no way to determine author of computer messages—only that they originated from Christine’s device in her home ([75:26]).

“Without her, there's enough gray area for them both to get off.”
— Hannah ([64:28])

“All eyes were on Juliana as she took the stand at Brendan's murder trial in January 2026… This very much glowed down version of Juliana… de Sex herself… claimed she'd just been roped in… tried to back out, but Brendan said it was too late”
— Sirutti ([53:46]-[54:55])

Prosecution's Case: Catfish Theory and Physical Evidence (73:56-83:56)

• Support for Catfish Theory:
  • Timing of Fetlife account use: Messages only sent when both Brendan and Juliana were home.
  • No sexting or fetish browsing found in Christine’s digital life ([80:58]).
  • The strategic creation of burner email accounts to cover tracks.
• Christine’s Bleeding Disorder: Made her particularly vulnerable to knife wounds—Brendan would know this ([82:32]).

Brendan's Testimony and the Last-Minute Bombshell (85:36-90:32)

• Brendan testifies, coming off as “cold, callous, and incredibly arrogant” ([86:06]).
• Prosecution reveals baby name discussions between Brendan and Juliana—contradicting his downplaying of the affair.
• Rebuttal Witness: Thomas Smith, Brendan’s boss, refutes alibi of an early work meeting; CCTV places Brendan at a McDonald’s ([88:53]).
• Defense utterly blindsided; Brendan is exposed as a “big fat liar” ([89:49]).

Verdict and Reflections (90:34–97:54)

• Jury deliberates nine hours; Brendan Banfield found guilty on all counts—aggravated first degree murder of Christine Banfield and Joe Ryan.
• He faces life in prison; Virginia no longer has the death penalty.
• Juliana is set to be released, deported to Brazil, and likely to profit from media deals.

“I think she's just gonna go back to Brazil. She’ll dye her hair again, get a Netflix deal, write a book, do something.”
— Sirutti ([94:16])

• Hosts note that both Christine and Joe Ryan were true victims—Joe, in particular, “a completely random, uninvolved person” ([97:01]).
• Acknowledgement of moral complexity: Sweetheart deals are troubling, but without Juliana’s cooperation, conviction might not have been possible ([96:24]).

“He won't get out of prison now. I mean, you know, double first degree aggravated homicide, like, he's done. But I'd be pissed if I were Christine's family. That Juliana just gets to swan off back to Brazil. It's a bit unsatisfying.”
— Sirutti ([95:57])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "[Brendan] is on a fucking power trip. This entire case, this is this man on a power trip. I'm like, you're a fucking IRS investigator weeding out tax evaders. At most, like, calm the fuck down."
  — Sirutti ([28:47])
• "I truly think, if only one of them was going to go to prison, I'm glad that it's Brendan Manfield, and I'm glad it's for the rest of his fucking life."
  — Sirutti ([96:24])
• "She is a co-conspirator, hands down. I won't say instigator... but co-conspirator, absolutely. And she wiggled out of it without the sentence she truly deserved. Like, she's killed a man. Yeah, she shot him point-blank."
  — Hannah ([94:31])
• "As far as Joe Ryan's concerned, he also spoke on the phone to Christine... but it was probably Juliana doing the talking."
  — Sirutti ([27:02])

Important Timestamps

• 03:51 – Banfield family background, relationships
• 08:33 – The affair and growing conspiracy
• 17:11 – Brendan trains Juliana in firearms
• 20:40 – FetLife catfishing, setup of Joe Ryan
• 28:08 – The murders, 911 calls
• 34:43 – Police begin to unravel the lies
• 42:08 – Forensic inconsistencies emerge
• 53:46 – Juliana flips, details the plot on the witness stand
• 80:58 – Tech forensics and defending the catfish theory
• 85:36 – Brendan’s testimony and cross-examination
• 88:53 – Surprise witness destroys Brendan’s alibi
• 90:34 – Jury verdict announced

Tone and Language

The hosts maintain their signature blend of dark humor, incredulity, and righteous anger. They are unsparing in their assessments of both Brendan’s and Juliana’s character—rich with sarcasm, banter, and pop culture references, often utilizing expletives and graphic language for emphasis.

Conclusion

The Banfield case stands out not just for its lurid circumstances but for the audacity and clinical calculation with which an affair was weaponized into the murder of two unsuspecting victims. With Juliana’s damning (if self-serving) testimony, a rare sweetheart plea deal, and a last-second bombshell witness, justice for Christine Banfield and Joe Ryan was secured—albeit with more than a lingering sense of moral ambiguity.

For listeners seeking more true crime with an unfiltered, forensic, and darkly funny lens, this episode is a RedHanded must-listen.