(Vienna, Virginia, January 14, 2026) — An au pair testified in a Virginia court Monday that Brendan Banfield, a former federal agent, confessed to stabbing his wife, April, and attempting to frame a stranger for the crime.
An au pair’s testimony alleges Brendan Banfield admitted to fatally stabbing his wife and plotting to implicate another man in the murder.
- The au pair, whose name has not been widely released, testified that Banfield detailed the stabbing of his wife, April Banfield, in September 2023.
- Banfield allegedly attempted to frame a man he knew as the perpetrator, according to the au pair’s testimony.
- The au pair also described an alleged scheme to kill another man to prevent the disclosure of their affair.
Alleged Confession Details Stabbing
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The au pair testified that Banfield confessed to stabbing April Banfield on September 11, 2023, according to reporting from The Washington Post. She stated that Banfield described the attack and his subsequent efforts to mislead investigators.
Prosecutors allege Banfield attempted to implicate a man he knew in the murder, CNN reported. The au pair’s testimony is central to the prosecution’s case, as it directly links Banfield to the crime.
Affair and Alleged Second Plot
The au pair, who had an affair with Banfield, also testified about an alleged plot to kill a man who knew about their relationship, WJLA reported. Prosecutors claim Banfield feared the man would reveal the affair, potentially jeopardizing his defense.
The trial began Monday in Fairfax County, Virginia, drawing significant attention to the affluent suburb, according to Fox News. The case has captivated the community due to the alleged betrayal and violence at the heart of the accusations.
Au Pair Details Scheme to Avoid Divorce
The au pair further testified that Banfield allegedly plotted the murder to avoid a costly divorce and maintain control of his assets, NBC News reported. The prosecution is presenting the affair and the alleged murder plot as evidence of Banfield’s motive and premeditation.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by The Washington Post, CNN, WJLA, Fox News, and NBC News and added independent analysis and context.
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