Brazilian Au Pair's Testimony in VA Double Murder Trial: Husband Plotted to 'Get Rid of' Wife

Au Pair's Testimony in Double Murder Trial

• 🇧🇷 A Brazilian au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes, testified in the double murder trial of Brendan Banfield, a former IRS agent.
• 🎯 Banfield is accused of murdering his wife, Christine, and a second victim, Joseph Ryan.
• 💬 Magalhaes testified that Banfield stated he needed to “get rid of” his wife so they could be together.

Concerns and Communication

• 🗣️ The au pair expressed concern about Banfield's ability to communicate with her family in Brazil, as he and his mother were her only means of contact.
• 📅 She recalled that in October, the plan was specifically to “get rid of Christine.”

Emotional Distress

• 😥 Magalhaes described experiencing intense emotional distress, including crying, sadness, depression, racing thoughts, heart pounding, and inability to sleep.
• 📉 She reported feeling physically and emotionally exhausted, drained, and lacking strength, courage, and hope, describing her state as a “personal hell.”