MURDERED: Christine Banfield & Joseph Ryan

Crime Junkie

06/29/26

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67m

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When 37-year-old Christine Banfield and 39-year-old Joseph Ryan were found fatally injured inside a Virginia home in 2023, investigators were initially told that Ryan was a violent intruder and that Christine’s husband, Brendan Banfield, a federal agent, had tried to save her. But as investigators examined digital evidence, they uncovered a different possibility: that Ryan had been lured to the home through a fake online persona and that the scene had been staged to conceal a double homicide.

What happened in the 15 minutes between two 911 calls? And what does the evidence reveal about the story investigators were first told?

Head over to our Crime Junkie YouTube channel to WATCH this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCRHdJ7TfmY

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/murdered-christine-banfield-and-joseph-ryan/

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Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat.

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Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat
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Text Ashley at 317-733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

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Previous Episode

MISSING: Brittany Wallace Shank

June 22

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75m

On November 30, 2018, 23-year-old Brittany Wallace Shank showed up barefoot and bleeding at a stranger's door asking for help. She said the man she was with had crashed their car and ran away. Deputies were on the way. But before they arrived, Brittany disappeared into the darkness. She has never been seen again.

If you know anything about the disappearance of Brittany Wallace Shank, especially if you recognize the man in these sketches, you can contact the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office at 269-467-9045.

Head over to our Crime Junkie YouTube channel to WATCH this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV08qqbNnrI

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/missing-brittany-wallace-shank/

Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/fanclub/ to view the current membership options and policies.

Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!

Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast | @audiochuck
Twitter: @CrimeJunkiePod | @audiochuck
TikTok: @crimejunkiepodcast
Facebook: /CrimeJunkiePodcast | /audiochuckllc

Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat.

Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawat
Twitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawat
TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF

Text Ashley at 317-733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Next Episode

MURDERED: Carmen Van Huss

July 6

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49m

On March 23, 1993, screams tore through the thin walls of a gated Indianapolis apartment complex as 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss fought for her life. Neighbors heard the attack, but no one called 911. Carmen was assaulted, mutilated, and killed. For decades, her murder remained unsolved – until a relentless investigator identified a suspect. And after more than 30 years, Carmen’s family finally saw justice.

Head over to our Crime Junkie YouTube channel to WATCH this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpYYYWbZP84

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/murdered-carmen-van-huss/

Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/fanclub/ to view the current membership options and policies.

Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!