Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, in their home and then fatally shot himself on Wednesday night in what appeared to be a dispute over their divorce, police said.
“This has been an ongoing domestic dispute surrounding what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce,” Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said at a news conference Thursday morning.
Fairfax, 47, who served as lieutenant governor of Virginia from 2018 to 2022, and his wife, who was a dentist, had been separated but living in the same house. He was recently served with paperwork related to an upcoming court proceeding, authorities said.
The couple’s teenage children were in the house when it happened, and their son called 911, according to police.
Davis said the only other time law enforcement was at the home was in January, when Fairfax called the police and alleged that his wife assaulted him. That allegation proved to be false, Davis said. Cerina Fairfax had set up cameras inside the home during the divorce proceedings, and footage reviewed by police confirmed that no such assault took place, the police chief added.
Davis said authorities believe that Fairfax shot his wife multiple times in the basement and then ran upstairs to the primary bedroom and then fatally shot himself.
Recommended
Fairfax’s time as lieutenant governor was marred by allegations of sexual assault from two women, which he denied. He served out his term and then unsuccessfully ran for governor of Virginia in 2021.
The couple met at Duke University and married in June 2006 in Arlington, Virginia. Court records show that the couple separated in 2024 and Cerina Fairfax filed for divorce in 2025.
Former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, under whom Fairfax served, said in a statement that he and his wife were “devastated by this heartbreaking news” and that they are praying for the family.
Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi also called the incident “devastating,” adding, “Along with so many in the Commonwealth, I am filled with sorrow; I await further insights from our law enforcement officials.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Clarissa-Jan Lim is a breaking news reporter for MS NOW. She was previously a senior reporter and editor at BuzzFeed News.