Virginia Au Pair Murder Plot: Husband, Fetish Site & Double Homicide

Virginia Au Pair Murder Plot: Husband, Fetish Site & Double Homicide

In a quiet Virginia suburb, what looked like a perfect family hid something unthinkable.
When police walked into the Banfield home in Herndon, they found 37-year-old nurse Christine Banfield stabbed to death and 39-year-old Joseph Ryan shot in the head. Her husband, former IRS agent Brendan Banfield, claimed it was self-defense — that Ryan had broken in and attacked his wife.

But investigators soon discovered the scene was staged.
Christine had never met Joseph Ryan. In reality, he had been lured to the house through a fetish site called FetLife, believing he was meeting Christine for a consensual role-play encounter. The account that contacted him used her photo and name — but wasn’t her. It was allegedly created by her husband.

Living in that same home was their Brazilian au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães, who was having an affair with Brendan. She later admitted to helping orchestrate the meeting — and described the entire deadly plan as “part of the game.”

Prosecutors say the “game” was a plot to kill Christine and stage it as a home invasion gone wrong.
Both Christine and Joseph Ryan ended up dead.

Juliana has since pled guilty to manslaughter and agreed to testify against Brendan Banfield, who now faces aggravated murder charges in Fairfax County. His trial, most recently delayed, is set for January 13, 2026.

In this Hidden Killers deep dive, Tony Brueski exposes the chilling story behind the façade of suburban normalcy — how power, fantasy, and control converged into one of Virginia’s most disturbing murder cases.

This isn’t a story about sex. It’s a story about manipulation, obsession, and the fatal delusion of control.
Because when you start to play God, eventually, someone bleeds for it.


#HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #BanfieldCase #JulianaMagalhaes #ChristineBanfield #BrendanBanfield #JosephRyan #VirginiaCrime #TonyBrueski #CrimePodcast #FetishMurder #HerndonCrime #MurderCase #TrueCrimeStories


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“It’d Be Easier If Dan Wasn’t Here”: Wendy Adelson Leak Explained by Jeffrey Lacasse

“It’d Be Easier If Dan Wasn’t Here”: Wendy Adelson Leak Explained by Jeffrey Lacasse

“It’d Be Easier If Dan Wasn’t Here”: Wendy Adelson Leak Explained by Jeffrey Lacasse In this deep-dive, we analyze a pivotal stretch of the Jeffrey Lacasse police interrogation and the candid round-table that follows—unpacking what it reveals about Wendy Adelson, Charlie Adelson, and Donna Adelson in the Dan Markel case. The conversation focuses on behavioral forensics: emotional regulation, “leakage,” narcissistic injury, family systems, and coercive control—terms that help map motive and mindset without relying on speculation alone. Lacasse recounts late-night talks in which Wendy lamented feeling trapped in Tallahassee by custody litigation and let slip a chilling line: life would be “more convenient” if Dan weren’t around. He adds that Wendy referenced Charlie looking into “how it would be done” and “how much it would cost.” In the interrogation room, these statements land with weight—not as jokes, but as actionable disclosures that align with later courtroom narratives. We break down why Lacasse reads as credible: consistent tempo of disclosure, congruent affect, and high recall—alongside the caveat that his lingering attachment to Wendy could color certain interpretations. The panel then probes Charlie Adelson’s persona construction—his habit of posturing with “tough” circles, talk of military-adjacent acquaintances, and proximity to people comfortable with criminal enterprise. Is this insecurity, narcissism, or a lifelong rehearsal of dominance learned at home? We examine how Donna Adelson’s alleged top-down control may have shaped the siblings’ communication style—emotion-first, consequence-later—and why that can result in catastrophic “leakage” (unguarded admissions, careless phone chatter, reckless bravado). We also discuss cognitive dissonance inside tightly bound families: why challenging the matriarch would threaten the children’s own identity narratives, and how “safety” can be misdefined as allegiance to dysfunction. Finally, we situate these insights within the legal framework—murder-for-hire theory, motive arising from custody and relocation conflict, and credibility markers detectives scrutinize in major-case interrogations. If you follow the Markel murder timeline, this segment adds crucial psychological context to evidence already tested in court. It’s a guided tour through behavior, motive, and family dynamics—where every “offhand” comment may carry forensic weight. Hashtags #WendyAdelson #CharlieAdelson #DonnaAdelson #DanMarkel #JeffreyLacasse #TrueCrime #MurderForHire #BehavioralAnalysis #LegalAnalysis #Interrogation Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

3 Syys 11min

Echo Chamber of Control: Robin Dreeke Breaks Down the Adelson Family Psychology

Echo Chamber of Control: Robin Dreeke Breaks Down the Adelson Family Psychology

Echo Chamber of Control: Robin Dreeke Breaks Down the Adelson Family Psychology In this explosive deep dive, retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, former head of the Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program, joins Hidden Killers Live to unravel the tangled psychology of the Adelson family. At the center of this discussion: Donna Adelson’s obsessive control, Charlie Adelson’s dangerous insecurities, and Wendy Adelson’s revealing slip-ups that pointed investigators toward a murder-for-hire plot. The episode begins with comparisons between Jackie Fulford, Donna’s so-called “doppelgänger attorney,” and the broader Adelson pattern of surrounding themselves with mirrors of their own self-image. Dreeke describes this as the classic “echo chamber” — a family environment where validation replaces reality, breeding narcissism, paranoia, and control. From there, the conversation turns to the police interrogation of Dr. Jeffrey Lacoste, Wendy Adelson’s ex-boyfriend. His testimony is not only haunting but also deeply telling. Lacoste recalls Wendy confiding that her brother Charlie had “looked into options” for getting rid of Dan Markel. He describes Charlie openly talking about money, hitmen, and how much it would cost — chilling disclosures that made Charlie the first suspect to enter his mind when news of Dan’s murder broke. Robin Dreeke dissects Lacoste’s credibility, noting his remarkable memory for dates, his consistent disclosure tempo, and his vulnerability as a man still under Wendy’s spell. Dreeke explains how narcissistic family systems thrive on manipulation, impulsivity, and a desperate need for external validation — traits seen across Donna, Wendy, and Charlie. The discussion also explores Charlie Adelson’s bizarre associations with Green Berets, criminal circles, and the Latin Kings, questioning why a wealthy dentist would gravitate toward such company. Dreeke suggests this was Charlie’s way of masking insecurity, rebelling against his mother’s dominance, and fabricating an image of power. This is not just a story of one murder — it’s a case study in how toxic family dynamics, unchecked narcissism, and impulsive decisions can escalate into tragedy. Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

3 Syys 56min

FBI Expert Exposes Donna Adelson’s Psychological Grip on Her Family

FBI Expert Exposes Donna Adelson’s Psychological Grip on Her Family

FBI Expert Exposes Donna Adelson’s Psychological Grip on Her Family Was Donna Adelson the doting grandmother—or the emotional architect of a murder plot? In Part 2 of our conversation with retired FBI Special Agent Robin Dreeke, we dive into the toxic family dynamic behind the headlines. This isn’t just a story about guilt—it’s a case study in lifelong emotional programming. Robin reveals how Donna used fear, guilt, and manipulation to control her children—especially Charlie—and why decades of emotional obedience may have played a bigger role in this murder than any wiretap ever could. From Wendy’s courtroom defense of her mother (“I don’t think you can care too much”) to the gradual unraveling of the Adelson family’s loyalty under pressure, this episode breaks down how Donna’s influence shaped every decision, every silence, and every betrayal. Why didn’t the kids push back? How did Donna blur the lines between control and love? And what happens when the person you’ve spent your whole life protecting... throws you under the bus? This is psychological warfare, true crime style—and it’s happening inside the Adelson family tree. Don’t miss this deep dive from Hidden Killers with Tony Brueski. Hashtags: #DonnaAdelson #FamilyControl #DanMarkel #RobinDreeke #FBIExpert #EmotionalAbuse #HiddenKillers #TrueCrimeToday #Manipulation #Codependency Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

3 Syys 16min

Family Killer or Master Manipulator? Inside Alex Murdaugh’s Trial Performance

Family Killer or Master Manipulator? Inside Alex Murdaugh’s Trial Performance

Family Killer or Master Manipulator? Inside Alex Murdaugh’s Trial Performance In one of the most dramatic true crime trials in American history, Alex Murdaugh took the stand to defend himself against charges of murdering his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. His testimony became a masterclass in denial, deception, and psychological performance. On Hidden Killers Live, Tony Brueski, Stacy Cole, and Todd Michaels break down the key courtroom moments that shaped the jury’s view of Murdaugh. From his emphatic opening line—“I did not shoot my wife and son”—to the bizarre body language that contradicted his words, every detail mattered. Nodding while denying guilt, shifting stories, and a sudden admission that he lied about his whereabouts on the night of the murders painted a portrait of a man desperate to control the narrative. Murdaugh’s defense leaned heavily on claims of opioid addiction, paranoia, and distrust of law enforcement as explanations for why he misled investigators. But can addiction truly justify lying about your presence at the kennels—the exact crime scene—on the night your family was killed? Legal analysts, forensic psychologists, and true crime experts have weighed in, and our panel explores those arguments in depth. Viewers will also see Murdaugh’s infamous “snot cry” apology, where he addressed his surviving son, Buster, and other family members. Was it grief, guilt, or simply a performance? The cadence of his testimony, his colloquial language, and his attempts to appear relatable raise questions about whether his emotions were genuine or strategically rehearsed. Beyond the murders, the episode digs into Alex’s history of fraud, financial exploitation, and betrayal of trust, showing how patterns of manipulation extended far beyond the courtroom. Was this trial ultimately about murder, or about a narcissistic collapse—an unraveling of control that ended in familial destruction? Join us as we dissect every gesture, every inconsistency, and every calculated move from Alex Murdaugh’s time on the stand. This is courtroom theater, psychological warfare, and the anatomy of a high-profile true crime trial. 🏷️ Hashtags  #AlexMurdaugh #MurdaughTrial #TrueCrime #CourtroomDrama #ForensicPsychology #Narcissism #LegalAnalysis #MurdaughMurders #CrimeCommentary #HiddenKillers Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

3 Syys 14min

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