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.
Police responded to home for January dispute
Fairfax 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.
Jasmine Fernández16 April 2026 15:42
Watch: Virginia’s former Lt Governor kills wife and self in murder-suicide, cops say
Independent Video16 April 2026 15:30
Children were inside the home during the shooting, police say
Fairfax 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.
Jasmine Fernández16 April 2026 15:29
Friend of Justin Fairfax says he was ‘deeply depressed’
Sophia 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.
Ariana Baio16 April 2026 15:15
Virginia’s former Lt Governor kills wife and self as ‘messy’ divorce turns deadly, cops say
Former 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.
Rhian Lubin16 April 2026 15:10
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.
Ariana Baio16 April 2026 15:06
Welcome to The Independent’s live blog
Welcome 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.
Ariana Baio16 April 2026 15:04
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