Months after 2 killed in shooting-stabbing in Fairfax, family’s au pair charged with murder in 1 of the slayings
At the time it happened in February, police said Christine Banfield’s husband had called 911 to report shooting a man he found inside his home who was stabbing his wife.
But now, after nearly seven months and an “intensive and ongoing investigation,” police in Fairfax County say the family’s au pair has been charged with one of the killings.
Juliana Peres Magalhaes, 23, has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 39-year-old Joseph Nathan Ryan, according to a police news release. She is being held without bond at the Fairfax County jail.
Police haven’t said why Ryan was in the home but said that he knew Banfield. Why Ryan was in the home that day is “still an active investigation,” First Lt. Erin Weeks, with Fairfax County police, said in an update Thursday.
For now, police said they are still investigating who stabbed Banfield, as well as the circumstances leading up to her killing.
“We have recovered all weapons. And we’ve identified all persons involved in this case,” Weeks said, adding that police still have many leads to follow up.
Police said they discovered the “appalling scene” inside the home on Stable Brook Way after they were called there by multiple 911 calls on the morning of Feb. 24.
“They found Christine Banfield in an upstairs bedroom. She had been stabbed multiple times in the upper body and Joseph Ryan, who had been shot multiple times in the upper body,” Weeks said.
The au pair, who also lived in the house, first called 911 around 7:45 a.m., but the call quickly got disconnected, police said. Around 15 minutes later, the au pair called 911 again and gave the phone to a man, who told the dispatcher he had just shot a man who was stabbing his wife.
Police have not publicly identified Banfield’s husband and he has not been charged. Weeks said they know the husband is still in the area.
On whether Banfield’s husband will face charges, Weeks said, “We are keeping options open. We will continue to investigate … Our big thing is continuing to interview people, continuing to review all digital and forensic evidence and learn how Christine Banfield was fatally stabbed.”
Police said there were no signs of forced entry. Police previously said Ryan knew Banfield, her husband and the au pair, but did not provide any other details.