Talking Dateline: Temptation

Talking Dateline: Temptation

From Dateline NBC by NBC News

April 8, 2026 · 30 min · Episode 260408

About this episode

Blayne Alexander interviews Andrea Canning about the case of Brendan Banfield and the double homicide involving his wife Christine.

Blayne Alexander sits down with Andrea Canning to discuss her latest episode, "Temptation." In 2023, IRS agent Brendan Banfield told police he'd walked into the bedroom of his Virginia home to find a stranger brutally stabbing his wife, Christine. He said he'd shot the man to try and save Christine but it was too late. She died from her injuries. Investigators didn't buy Brendan's story and discovered he had been having an affair with the family au pair. They determined the double homicide was the result of a diabolical catfishing scheme to lure a stranger named Joe Ryan to the Banfields' home and frame him for Christine's murder. Andrea shares an extra clip from the au pair’s testimony where she admits to posting romantic photos and videos with Brendan. Blayne discusses her family’s positive experience with the au pair program, and Andrea reveals her stint as a live-in nanny for “Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff. Plus, we answer your questions from social media. Help Dateline’s “Missing in America” win a Webby award! Vote here by April 16th: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/podcasts/shows/crime-justice Listen to the full episode of “Temptation” on Apple…

People in this episode

Host: Blayne Alexander

Guest: Andrea Canning

Topics covered

  • true crime
  • affair
  • homicide
  • catfishing
  • investigation
  • au pair
  • family

Keywords

  • Brendan Banfield
  • Christine Banfield
  • catfishing
  • homicide
  • au pair
  • affair
  • Dateline
  • true crime

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: IRS, Dateline, NBC News

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