Virginia man indicted in killing of wife and another man nearly a year after au pair was charged in case

A Virginia man was indicted in the killing of his wife and another man at the married couple's Fairfax County home, authorities said Monday, nearly a year after the family's au pair was charged in the case.

A grand jury indicted Brendan Banfield on the charge of aggravated murder in the February 2023 killings of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan, according to a bench warrant filed in Fairfax Circuit Court. Banfield was also charged with one count of felony firearm use.

Police Chief Kevin Davis said at a news conference that Banfield was arrested while driving in Fairfax County, and that authorities were searching his home on Monday. An attorney for Banfield did not immediately respond to a request for comment.