Fairfax County Police say former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife, Cerina Fairfax, and then shot and killed himself early Thursday morning. Officers responded to a 911 call to the couple’s Annandale home just after midnight.
FCPD Chief Kevin Davis told reporters that the couple had been going through a contentious divorce. Davis said that Fairfax was “recently served some paperwork associated with an upcoming court proceeding that apparently led to this incident.”
Fairfax shot his wife several times then “ran to a different part of the home and then killed himself at the same time,” Davis said. Both of the couple’s teenage children were in the house during the incident. Davis said that the couple’s son had made the 911 call.
When asked if officers were aware of any other domestic-related calls to the home, Davis said that Fairfax called police in January and alleged that his wife assaulted him. “There are several cameras set up inside the house. Apparently, Mrs. Fairfax, at some point during these court proceedings, set up a lot of cameras inside the home. We reviewed those cameras and we corroborated that the alleged assault never occurred,” Davis said.
Fairfax served under former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam from 2018 to 2022. He faced sexual assault accusations from two women in 2019. He denied the allegations.
Cerina had a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from VCU and ran a Northern Virginia dental practice, Dr. Fairfax & Associates Family Dentistry. According to her business bio, she enjoyed travel, reading, and running with the family’s dogs.
Davis said the investigation into the murder-suicide is ongoing. Detectives are collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses to gather additional information.
Feature image of Justin and Cerina Fairfax at Gov. Ralph Northam’s 2018 inauguration courtesy U.S. Air National Guard/Senior Airman Kellyann Novak
