Christine Ann Banfield, 37, Joseph Nathan Ryan, 39, were killed in Herndon
Fairfax County police identified the two victims of a Friday double homicide at an upscale Herndon area home, releasing few details of the events that led to the killings.
Christine Ann Banfield, 37, of Herndon, and Joseph Nathan Ryan, 39, were killed at a home on the 13200 block of Stable Brook Way, Police Chief Kevin Davis said at an evening news conference.
No arrests have been made in the killings, in which Banfield was stabbed and Ryan was shot, though police believe the victims knew who killed them.
Davis said at about 7:50 a.m., a 22-year-old au pair living at the home called 911 from a cellphone, but then hung up. Because the call was given from a cell, he said police were unable to pinpoint an exact address. About 10 minutes later, the caregiver called 911 again.
Banfield’s husband, 38, who Davis also did not name, was on the phone with the caregiver, he said. Davis said the husband told dispatch he shot Ryan, who stabbed Banfield.
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“We know what the husband told us,” Davis said of the early morning call. “But we have a lot of work to do to substantiate that claim or to otherwise identify the person responsible for that crime.”
Police arrived at the residence at 8:13 a.m., where they found Ryan dead. Ryan did not live at the home, but police found no evidence of a forced entry, Davis said. Banfield was transported to the hospital, where she later died. Officials said the husband was also transported to the hospital with a minor injury.
The husband and caregiver are of interest in the police investigation, but not charged with any crime, Davis said. He added the caregiver was speaking with detectives Friday night. Since speaking with a 911 dispatcher, Davis said the husband had opted to not speak with the police.
Police found a 4-year-old girl who was also at the residence and was physically unharmed. Davis said police were working with other family members to make sure the child was cared for.
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“We’re going to do what’s right by that child,” he said. “The truest victim of all of this is that poor girl.”
Davis said earlier Friday that two guns and a knife were recovered from the scene. Davis did not have further information about which weapon was used in the shooting, and to whom it was registered. Police also removed multiple vehicles from the residence Friday, but Davis said he did not want to describe them, citing the investigation.
As Davis spoke at the news conference, community members huddled in front of him, listening to the details. Davis acknowledged his lack of specificity about the events that took place that day could be frustrating.
“We’re not in the speculation business,” Davis said. “We have to gather facts … Certainly, a double murder in a community like this one is unusual, and it’s upsetting to everyone — I get it.”
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