Suvechha Sarkar
On February 24, 2023, a quiet neighborhood in Herndon, Virginia, was shaken by a tragedy when 37-year-old Christine Ann Banfield was killed in her own home. Her untimely demise left her family completely devastated, especially her father, Gary Benson, who continued to search for answers. The case takes center stage in ABC’s ’20/20: The Au Pair Affair Murder Trial.’ It delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding Christine’s murder and the homicide of 39-year-old Joseph Nathan Ryan in her home. The investigation soon revealed that her husband, Brendan Banfield, and their au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, were responsible for the double homicide. It also features interviews with their loved ones and the authorities who worked tirelessly to solve the case.
Gary Benson and His Family Endured the Irreplaceable Loss of Christine in 2023
Gary Benson and his partner’s lives were lit up with joy when they welcomed their beautiful daughter, Christine Ann Banfield, into the world in September 1985. From her childhood, her parents had been cautious about her well-being due to some of her health issues. Yet, her parents, particularly her father, never backed down from cheering her on at every milestone of her life. Everything seemed to be going well until Christine’s life came to an abrupt halt on February 24, 2023. On that fateful day, authorities reportedly received an additional 911 call, reporting the murder of another person, Joseph Nathan Ryan, who was present at Christine’s home. As the investigation intensified, officials discovered that her husband, Brendan Banfield, and their au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, had opened an account in Christine’s name on a fetish website.
Reports state that officials soon found that Brendan and Juliana had lured Joseph into Brendan’s home by pretending to be Christine. According to court records, they pretended to be Christine and asked Joseph to come to the residence and engage in a consensual violent sexual encounter with her. The au pair was later taken into custody on October 19, 2023, and charged with second-degree murder of Joseph and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Eventually, she confessed to her and Brendan’s affair. Juliana reportedly admitted that she and Brendan planned to kill Christine and Joseph because Brendan didn’t want to go through a divorce and lose custody of his daughter.
Eventually, Brendan was arrested and indicted on the charges of child endangerment and neglect, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and four counts of aggravated murder. Juliana avoided a trial by pleading guilty to a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter in relation to Joseph’s murder. The jury trial of Brendan commenced in January 2026, and he was ultimately convicted of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, two counts of aggravated murder, and child endangerment. He is currently awaiting sentencing, which is likely to be a life sentence without parole, and the sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 8, 2026. On February 13, 2026, Juliana was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 2 years of probation. Since she is a Brazilian citizen, Juliana may face deportation after serving her sentence.
Gary Benson Gains Immense Strength in the Presence of Valerie Benson and His Partner
When the time for Brendan’s trial finally began in January 2026, Christine’s father, Gary Benson, bravely took to the stands. There, he spoke about her childhood when he was concerned about her bruising and having frequent nosebleeds, which were quite difficult to stop. He remembered how she had to take precautions for the blood disorder, which eventually inspired her to choose a career path in the medical field. To this day, Gary remembers the time when his daughter first moved out after graduating from college about 15 years earlier. Long before Gary lost Christine, he never negotiated with the time he spent with his family. Whether it be wishing Christine on her birthday or going on a family trip to Mystic, Connecticut, with his partner, Linda, and granddaughter, he cherishes every moment spent with them.
On March 30, 2018, when Christine gave birth to her daughter, Valerie Ava Banfield, Gary and Linda made sure to remain by her side at the Good Samaritan University Hospital. Gary never misses a chance to show his appreciation for his loved ones, especially his granddaughter. In March 2023, he celebrated Valerie’s birthday in Virginia, which was followed by the grand celebration of her 7th birthday in March 2025. It further underscores that Valerie has continued to flourish in the presence of her grandfather and other loved ones. In his free time, Gary enjoys going on hunting trips and sharing his successful adventures. Besides sometimes participating in hunting leagues, he also loves fishing. As of writing, it appears that Gary has chosen to step away from the limelight, likely to ensure Valerie’s privacy as well.
The rest of Christine’s family members have currently chosen to remain out of the public eye. However, after Brendan was convicted of his charges in February 2026, they spoke out on the ordeal after 3 years by sharing a statement with a news channel. While speaking about Christine, her family members said, “Christine was an honest, faithful, caring, compassionate, helpful person who was dedicated to her family, friends, and patients. The lies told about her after her murder were just as painful as her death.” They further expressed their grief for Joseph’s family, stating, “He, like Christine, was an innocent victim.” They continued, “Our sympathy is with Joe Ryan’s family as we understand the loss and grief they are experiencing.” Although Christine’s family has seemingly been moving forward on the path of healing, they still hold the memory of their loved one close to their hearts.
Read More: Where is Brendan Banfield Now? Update on the Killer
