Man Accused of Using BDSM Site to Orchestrate Wife’s Murder

A man from Virginia reportedly plotted the murder of his wife with the aid of the au pair working for them, following a romantic affair. The plan lasted several months and involved a staged scenario to carry out the deadly act.

Juliana Peres Magalhães, 24, who was employed as a live-in au pair, testified that her employer, Brendan Banfield, 39, used a BDSM and fantasy website to find someone willing to assist in the murder. According to her account, Banfield initially did not plan to divorce his wife, Christine, with whom he was having an affair, but instead sought to eliminate her permanently.

Magalhães recounted that Banfield created a fake profile on Fetlife.com, pretending to be his wife. He then engaged Joseph Ryan, 39, to stage a violent scene in their home, with Ryan believing he was participating in a sexual fantasy. The plan involved Ryan coming to the house with a knife, supposedly for a staged attack where everyone would pretend to resist as part of a “game.”

The day of the murder, Banfield and Magalhães allegedly concealed themselves nearby as Ryan carried out the staged assault. During the encounter, Banfield shot Ryan, then the au pair took the gun and fatally shot him, believing the situation was real. The couple waited about ten minutes before calling emergency services.

Evidence suggests Banfield had gone to great lengths to suppress noise, including installing soundproof windows to prevent screams from escaping the house. Magalhães described seeing her employer outside, yelling to test if he could hear any noise from the street, but she admitted she couldn’t hear much.

Magalhães pleaded guilty to manslaughter last year in connection with the incident. Banfield is scheduled for trial in October, with Magalhães likely to be sentenced afterward.