Family Au Pair Charged in Reston Fatal Shooting Case

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Reston Police District – Following an intensive and ongoing investigation spanning nearly 7 months, FCPD homicide detectives have arrested an au pair in connection to February’s fatal shooting of a man near the Hattontown neighborhood.

When officers initially responded to the Banfield home in the 13200 block of Stable Brook Way, on February 24, 2023, they descended upon an appalling scene. They found Christine Banfield, 37, of Herndon in an upstairs bedroom suffering from stab wounds to the upper body, and located Joseph Ryan, 39, of Springfield nearby, suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body. The initial 911 calls were made by the family’s au pair and Banfield’s husband.

Through forensic evidence and multiple interviews, detectives determined the au pair, 23-year-old Juliana Peres Magalhaes, of Reston shot Joseph Ryan. Peres Magalhaes has been charged with Second Degree Murder and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony and is being held at the Adult Detention Center on no bond.  

Detectives continue to conduct interviews and review digital and forensic evidence to determine the circumstances that led up to the fatal stabbing of Christine Banfield.

We are asking anyone with information regarding these incidents to call our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.   

Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure the victim’s families are receiving appropriate resources and assistance. 

Join us on Neighbors by Ring. A place where you can connect with your neighbors, see what’s happening in your neighborhood and share any available surveillance footage with our department.

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.

Original blog posted on February 25, 2023:

Reston Police District – Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau and Cyber and Forensics Bureau are actively investigating a fatal stabbing and fatal shooting that occurred yesterday morning in the 13200 block of Stable Brook Way.

Just after 8 a.m., officers responded to the home after a 911 call was received where a woman stated her friend was hurt. A man then got on the line and stated he shot an unknown man who entered his home and stabbed a woman. Officers arrived and found Christine Banfield, 37, of Herndon in an upstairs bedroom suffering from stab wounds to the upper body. Joseph Ryan, 39, of Springfield was found nearby suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Banfield was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Ryan was declared deceased at the scene.

All parties involved have been accounted for and there is no apparent ongoing threat to the community. Detectives continue to conduct interviews and process evidence recovered from the scene to determine the relationship between the involved parties and the circumstances that led up to the two fatalities. 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct the autopsies in the coming days to determine cause and manner of death.

We are asking anyone with information regarding these incidents to call our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.   

Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure the families are receiving appropriate resources and assistance. 

To view Chief Davis’ press conferences from the scene, click here and most recent briefing here.    

Join us on Neighbors by Ring. A place where you can connect with your neighbors, see what’s happening in your neighborhood and share any available surveillance footage with our department.

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.