20/20 The After Show: The Au Pair, The Affair, and Murder
Feb 23, 2026
Gail Deutsch, a 20/20 producer with courtroom and investigative perspective, and Christina Corbin, an editorial producer managing reporting and interviews, unpack a scandalous case. They walk through the affair between an au pair and a father. They outline alleged catfishing, conflicting 911 timelines, forensic leads, courtroom testimony, and the path to arrest and convictions.
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Catfish Scheme Used Wife's Image To Lure Victim
- Prosecutors argued Brendan and Juliana catfished a stranger using Christine's photo under the name Anastasia to lure him for a staged sexual assault.
- The profile and fetish-website setup formed the core of the alleged murder-for-lust deception.
Friends Said Christine Wouldn't Consent To Violent Fantasy
- Christine's colleagues and friends rejected the fantasy-assault narrative, citing her blood disorder and career as a sexual assault nurse.
- That character testimony undermined claims she would consent to risky knife-play scenarios.
Victim's Mother Humanized Son After Media Portrayal
- Joe Ryan's mother described him as victimized twice: murdered and then portrayed as the attacker.
- Christina Corbin spent hours with Deirdre Fisher, who brought baby shoes and a baby box to humanize her son.