Ep. 104 | The Plot Twist Murders That Shocked The Country | Banfield Ryan Murders

The Banfield Ryan Murders case, explored in this gripping episode of Crime, Conspiracy, Cults and Murder, reveals a chilling premeditated double homicide orchestrated by Brendan Banfield, a federal agent, and his au pair, Juliana Perez Magalian. Christine Banfield, a dedicated nurse and mother, was murdered in her own home on February 24, 2023, under the guise of a consensual BDSM encounter with a stranger, Joseph Ryan. Brendan, who had been having an affair with Juliana, orchestrated the entire plan: creating a fake FetLife profile using Christine’s identity, luring Ryan to the house, staging a home invasion, and then murdering both Ryan and Christine. The crime scene was meticulously staged to appear as a violent home invasion, but forensic bloodstain analysis revealed the truth—Ryan’s body had been moved and Christine’s blood was transferred onto him post-mortem, exposing the fabrication. After a 570-day investigation, Brendan was arrested in September 2024, charged with multiple counts of aggravated murder and child endangerment. Juliana, who initially remained silent, broke down and confessed after a year in jail, leading to a plea deal for involuntary manslaughter in exchange for full cooperation. The trial, which began in January 2026, culminated in Brendan’s conviction on two counts of aggravated murder and other charges. The case stands as a harrowing example of how a trained investigator used his expertise to manipulate the justice system—until the blood told the real story. The true victim, their young daughter Valerie, remains forever scarred by the loss of her mother and the betrayal of her father.