Au pair pleads guilty to manslaughter in double homicide in Virginia

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA – Juliana Perez Magallans, 24, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Tuesday in connection with the Feb. 24, 2023, shooting death of Joseph Ryan, 39, in Herndon, Virginia.

Ryan, a Springfield resident, was killed at the residence where Magallance lived and worked around the home of Brendan and Christine Benfield.

Magallanes was arrested on October 19, 2023 and charged with second-degree murder and using a firearm to commit a felony. She has been in custody since her arrest. On September 16, 2024, a grand jury indicted Brendan Benfield, 39, on four counts of aggravated murder and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony in the deaths of Christine Benfield, 37, and Joseph Ryan.

Authorities say the murders were part of a scheme between Magallance and Brendan Banfield, who reportedly began a romantic relationship in August 2022. In the six months before the murder, Magallians and Benfield traveled to New York together and took romantic photos, according to records. Deputy Fairfax County District Attorney Eric Klingan.

On the charge of involuntary manslaughter, Magalyas faces up to 10 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for March 21, 2025. Benfield’s trial is scheduled for February 3, 2025. He faces life in prison on a charge of aggravated murder.

Photo exhibits from the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office at Brendan Benfield’s bail hearing