Former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Justin Fairfax, and his wife, Cerina Fairfax, were found dead at their home Thursday morning in an apparent murder-suicide amid their “messy divorce,” law enforcement said.
Fairfax, 47, shot his wife several times in the basement of their home before going upstairs to the primary bedroom and shooting himself, Kevin Davis, the Fairfax County police chief, said at a press conference.
The couple’s teenage children were home when the incident occurred.
Davis said the couple had been involved in an “ongoing domestic dispute surrounding a complicated or messy divorce.”
Fairfax and his wife were in the early stages of separation proceedings and were still living together in the home. Davis said Fairfax called police in January with accusations that his wife assaulted him – however, law enforcement said cameras determined the assault “never occurred.”
Fairfax, a Democrat, served as Lieutenant Governor from 2018 to 2022. He was accused of sexual assault by two women in 2019 and faced calls for resignation – though he denied the allegations and finished his term.
Key Points
- Virginia’s former Lt Governor kills wife and self as ‘messy’ divorce turns deadly, cops say
- Friend of Justin Fairfax says he was 'deeply depressed'
- Children were inside the home during the shooting, police say
- Cerina Fairfax was a practicing dentist and got married to Justin in June 2006
Police believe home cameras captured 'chaotic' scene
21:15 , Jasmine FernándezFairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said that investigators believe security cameras inside the residence were active during the fatal attack. Davis said that detectives have gathered enough footage to corroborate parts of the “very chaotic” scene, supplemented by details from the 911 call placed by the couple's teenage son.
“I believe they were” active and rolling during the “very chaotic” murder-suicide scene, Davis said Thursday during news conference.
Ralph Northam 'devastated' by news of former colleague
20:30 , Jasmine FernándezFormer Governor Ralph Northam, who served as Virginia’s governor while Justin Fairfax was lieutenant governor, said he and his wife, Pam, were “devastated by this heartbreaking news.”
“I had the privilege of getting to know the Fairfaxes while our families served together,” Northam said. “We are praying for Cameron, Carys, and the entire Fairfax family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Jay Jones offers prayers for children
19:45 , Jasmine FernándezAttorney General Jay Jones issued a statement Thursday afternoon, saying that he and his wife, Mavis, were “heartbroken by this tragedy.”
Jones specifically named the couple’s two children, Cameron and Carys, adding that the community was holding them and their loved ones in their prayers.
“We are holding Cameron and Carys, along with their loved ones, in our prayers,” Jones said. “No family and no child should have to experience this grief. We pray for peace and comfort during this devastating time.”
Jason Miyares urges those in 'darkness' to seek help
19:00 , Jasmine FernándezFormer Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares expressed his condolences to the Fairfax family, specifically focusing on the couple’s children. In his statement, Miyares addressed the nature of the tragedy by encouraging anyone experiencing similar struggles to reach out for support from those around them.
“For anyone struggling with this kind of darkness, the most courageous thing you can do is ask for help,” Miyares said. “There is more help and friendship out there than we realize.”
He concluded his statement by sharing a passage from Isaiah 41:10, offering a message of strength and comfort to those grieving the loss.
Kenyan McDuffie 'heartbroken beyond words'
18:02 , Jasmine FernándezFormer D.C. Councilmember and mayoral candidate Kenyan McDuffie released a deeply personal statement, noting that his family has been close with the Fairfaxes for decades.
“I am heartbroken beyond words,” McDuffie said. “The Fairfax family and my family have been close for as long as I can remember. Our parents knew one another.
“We grew up in each other's lives. The bond between our families is one I have always carried with me, and today that bond is breaking under the weight of an unthinkable loss.”
Local law enforcement 'shocked' by the violence
17:58 , Jasmine FernándezDuring his Thursday briefing, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said that the Fairfax family was well-known in the Annandale area, making the tragedy particularly difficult for the local community and responding officers.
“A lot of people who know the Fairfax family, everybody's shocked,” Davis told reporters. “We’re shocked.”
Senators Warner and Kaine 'horrified' by the tragedy
17:55 , Jasmine FernándezU.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine issued a joint response to the news, stating they were “horrified” to learn of the deaths of the former Lieutenant Governor and his wife. The senators, who served alongside Fairfax during his time in state government, noted the profound impact the event has had on the Northern Virginia community.
“We are keeping Cerina and Justin Fairfax’s family—especially their two children—in our prayers as we all process this shocking and horrifying news,” the senators said. “We urge any Virginians impacted by domestic violence to call the police or the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support.”
Current lieutenant governor 'filled with sorrow'
17:32 , Jasmine FernándezVirginia’s current lieutenant governor, Ghazala Hashmi released a statement Thursday calling the deaths of Justin and Cerina Fairfax “devastating.”
“My thoughts are with their children, loved ones, and numerous friends,” Hashmi said. “Along with so many in the Commonwealth, I am filled with sorrow; I await further insights from our law enforcement officials.”
Couple met nearly 30 years ago at Duke University
16:44 , Jasmine FernándezIn past social media posts, Justin Fairfax frequently shared details about his long-standing relationship with his wife, Cerina. In 2017, he posted about their 11th wedding anniversary. They’d gotten married in June 2006 in Arlington, Virginia.
“God has brought us a mighty long way, and we are deeply grateful and tremendously blessed,” he wrote. “We met 20 years ago at Duke University, and there has been a lot of laughter, love, smiling, and amazement ever since. With you and our faith, impossible is nothing.”
Dr. Cerina Fairfax was a longtime local dentist
16:36 , Jasmine FernándezCerina Fairfax was a practicing dentist in Fairfax, Virginia, where she operated her own clinic, Dr. Fairfax & Associates. A graduate of Duke University, she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree magna cum laude from the VCU Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in 2005.
Beyond her clinical work, she was committed to community outreach, frequently volunteering with and sponsoring local charities and nonprofits across Northern Virginia. She was also an avid trail runner and yoga practitioner.
Once a rising star, Fairfax's political standing declined after 2019
16:05 , Jasmine FernándezJustin Fairfax was initially viewed as a rising star in the Democratic Party. In 2017, he became only the second African American elected to statewide office in Virginia’s history. However, his political standing was severely impacted in 2019 when two women accused him of sexual assault. While Fairfax denied the allegations and finished his term, the controversy led to widespread calls for his resignation from leaders in both parties.
By the time he ran for governor in 2021, his support had dwindled. He finished his fourth term in the Democratic primary, receiving approximately 3.5 percent of the vote. Since leaving office in 2022, Fairfax had largely remained out of the political spotlight until Thursday’s events.
Court paperwork may have been a 'spark' for violence, chief says
15:49 , Jasmine FernándezPolice Chief Kevin Davis noted during the Thursday morning briefing that Justin Fairfax had recently been served with legal paperwork related to the couple’s divorce.
The documents reportedly indicated his next scheduled court appearance, which investigators believe may have contributed to the timing of the shooting.
“That may have been a spark,” the chief said. “Detectives will figure out if that led to this tragedy here.”
Police responded to home for January dispute
15:42 , Jasmine FernándezFairfax County police were previously called to the residence in January after Justin Fairfax accused his wife of assault. Chief Kevin Davis stated that investigators reviewed footage from cameras Cerina Fairfax had installed, which showed the assault never occurred.
No arrests were made and no charges were filed against either party following that incident. Law enforcement noted that prior call while describing the “ongoing domestic dispute” that preceded Thursday’s murder-suicide.
Watch: Virginia’s former Lt Governor kills wife and self in murder-suicide, cops say
15:30 , Independent VideoChildren were inside the home during the shooting, police say
15:29 , Jasmine FernándezFairfax County Police confirmed the couple’s two teenage children were inside the residence when the fatal shooting occurred. According to Police Chief Kevin Davis, the children were not physically injured during the dispute.
Police stated that the couple’s son placed the 911 call just after midnight. Victim advocates and social services have been called to the scene to assist the children as the investigation into the murder-suicide continues, Davis said.
Friend of Justin Fairfax says he was 'deeply depressed'
15:15 , Ariana BaioSophia Nelson, a journalist and author, who was a “close friend” to Justin Fairfax, expressed devastation Thursday at the news he had shot and killed his wife and himself.
“I will have more to say about the late former Lt. Governor of Virginia [Justin Fairfax] he was a close friend,” Nelson wrote on X, adding that she spoke to him “often,” if not “daily.”
“He was deeply depressed. He was going through a bad divorce. Still sharing home with his wife. And those who knew him we were talking to him. We never saw this coming. Ever. We are all devastated,” Nelson wrote.
Virginia’s former Lt Governor kills wife and self as ‘messy’ divorce turns deadly, cops say
15:10 , Rhian LubinFormer Virginia Lieutenant Gov. Justin Fairfax and his wife were found dead at their home in a murder-suicide Thursday morning amid going through a “messy divorce,” police said.
The 47-year-old Democrat, who served from 2018 to 2022, shot and killed his wife, Cerina Fairfax, before he shot himself shortly after midnight Thursday, Fairfax County police said at a press conference.
Read more here:
Virginia’s former Lt Governor kills wife and self in murder-suicide, cops say
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
Welcome to The Independent's live blog
15:04 , Ariana BaioWelcome to The Independent’s live blog coverage of the murder-suicide of former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and his wife, Cerina Fairfax.
Police announced Thursday morning Justin Fairfax had shot his wife just after midnight before shooting himself at their home in Annandale, Virginia.
The couple’s teenage children were home at the time.
