Overview of Dateline True Crime Weekly (Feb 5, 2026 episode)
This episode covers three main stories: the guilty verdict in the double‑murder trial of former IRS agent Brendan Banfield; the arrest and extradition of former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, now accused of running an international drug trafficking organization and ordering murders; and an explainer on catfishing (how it worked in the Banfield case and how to protect yourself). The show also runs a brief Dateline Roundup with updates in several high‑profile legal cases and a missing‑person notice for Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie.
Verdict in the Brendan Banfield double‑murder trial
- Case summary:
- Defendant: Brendan Banfield, former IRS agent.
- Victims: Christine Banfield (his wife) and Joseph (Joe) Ryan (a stranger).
- Allegation: Prosecutors say Banfield and the family’s Brazilian au pair, Juliana, lured Joe Ryan to the home by posing (as Christine) on a fetish website; Ryan was shot; Christine was stabbed. Prosecutors allege the plot was meant to frame a stranger for Christine’s murder so Banfield and Juliana could be together.
- Juliana pleaded guilty to manslaughter and testified for the prosecution.
- Defense (Banfield’s testimony):
- Claimed he left early for an important IRS meeting, returned after a call from Juliana, heard noises he thought were sexual, then encountered Ryan stabbing Christine; said he fired in defense and aided his wife.
- Attempted to minimize the seriousness of his relationship with Juliana and denied posing as Christine.
- Prosecution weaknesses exposed in testimony:
- Inconsistencies and credibility issues: Banfield’s claim of a scheduled meeting was disputed by his supervisor (no meeting was scheduled).
- Medical and forensic questions raised about whether Christine could have been conscious/speaking after the neck wounds described.
- Evidence of online activity and fetish‑site interactions supported prosecution theory.
- Outcome:
- Jury deliberated nine hours and found Banfield guilty on all charges, including two aggravated murder counts that carry mandatory life sentences.
- Sentencing scheduled for May; Juliana’s sentencing will occur earlier.
Former Olympian Ryan Wedding — alleged international drug kingpin
- Background:
- Ryan Wedding: represented Canada in snowboarding (2002 Winter Olympics, parallel giant slalom).
- Post‑sport trajectory: bodybuilding, bouncer jobs, large-scale marijuana grow operations alleged, subsequent involvement in cocaine trafficking.
- Criminal allegations:
- Convicted in a 2009 U.S. cocaine sting (about 48 months sentenced; released ~2011).
- Prosecutors allege he later built a transnational trafficking network tied to the Sinaloa cartel—moving drugs from Colombia through Mexico to Southern California and Canada, purportedly earning hundreds of millions.
- Indicted by U.S. federal prosecutors (drug and murder charges, including ordering the killing of a federal witness in Medellín).
- Placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list; described by the FBI director as “a modern El Chapo” and “a modern Pablo Escobar.”
- Capture and status:
- Arrested in Mexico after an international manhunt; assets seized (high‑value vehicles, motorcycles).
- Extradited to the U.S.; has pleaded not guilty and is in federal detention awaiting further proceedings.
Dateline Roundup — other legal updates
- Luigi Mangione:
- Two federal counts dropped: a federal firearms charge and the federal murder count that would have made the death penalty possible.
- Two federal stalking counts remain; state charges, including second‑degree murder, still pending.
- Evidence from a backpack recovered at arrest (notebook, gun, silencer) ruled admissible.
- Charlie Adelson:
- Convicted in 2023 for conspiring to murder his former brother‑in‑law, Dan Markell.
- Appealed seeking a new trial, arguing pretrial publicity and juror bias; appellate judges were skeptical, and prosecutors say the issues were waived.
- Gabby Petito wrongful‑death suit:
- Petito family sued Moab Police (failure to properly treat a 2021 domestic incident).
- District court dismissed citing Utah Government Immunity Act; the Utah Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments for March 4 on appeal.
Catfishing: definition, risks, red flags, and what to do
- Definition:
- Catfishing: creating a fake online identity (personally or via bots) to deceive, manipulate, or scam another person. The Banfield case used an extreme catfishing tactic (posing as the wife on a fetish site to lure a victim).
- Common platforms at risk:
- Dating sites/apps, social media, niche websites (including fetish/kink sites), and any online service that allows user identities.
- Red flags to watch for:
- New account, few followers/friends, little activity.
- Profile photos that reverse‑image search to other sources (stock photos, other profiles).
- Rapid escalation of intimacy, pressure to act quickly, or attempts to isolate conversation from public channels.
- Requests for money, confidential information, or explicit photos—especially before any in‑person meeting.
- Inconsistencies in stories, evasiveness about meeting in person or video calls.
- Advice if you suspect or fall victim:
- Pause and assess the likely motive (financial fraud, image theft, information harvesting, sexual entrapment).
- Preserve evidence: messages, profiles, screenshots, timestamps.
- Don’t send money or additional compromising photos.
- Report to the platform and, if financial loss or criminal threats are involved, to law enforcement.
- Tell someone you trust (parents for minors). Don’t shoulder the burden alone.
- Teach kids/teens to pause, consult adults, and not be embarrassed to report mistakes.
- Expert takeaway:
- Trust your instincts; ask questions, verify (video calls, reverse image searches), and move slowly online.
Notable quotes and highlights
- Savannah Guthrie (re: missing mother Nancy Guthrie): “We are ready to talk… we need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her.”
- FBI Director Cash Patel on Ryan Wedding: “He is a modern El Chapo. He is a modern Pablo Escobar.”
- Prosecutors on the Banfield catfishing tactic: “Brendan, posting as Christine, spent a month creating this relationship with Joe that would eventually lead to Joe’s murder.”
Key takeaways
- The Banfield verdict underscores how online deception (catfishing) can be weaponized in real‑world violence; digital behavior and credibility are central in modern investigations and trials.
- High‑profile athletes can have radical and sometimes criminal post‑career trajectories; law enforcement coordination and asset seizures are key tools in dismantling transnational trafficking networks.
- Catfishing is pervasive across platforms—prevention relies on verification, skepticism, and early reporting. Parents should proactively discuss online safety with their children.
Action items & resources
- Missing/persons tip line (for Nancy Guthrie case): FBI tip line 1‑800‑CALL‑FBI (1‑800‑225‑5324).
- If you suspect catfishing:
- Reverse image search profile photos.
- Request a live video call before meeting.
- Do not send money or explicit photos to someone you haven’t verified.
- Preserve evidence and report to platform + law enforcement if criminal conduct or extortion is suspected.