Police in Fairfax County, Virginia, are confirming that the state’s former lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax, was found in his home dead of an apparent suicide.
His wife, Cerina Fairfax, also was found dead there, apparently a homicide victim.
“Justin Fairfax shot and killed – shot several times – and killed his wife, ran to a different part of the home and then killed himself with the same firearm…,” explained police chief Kevin Davis at a news briefing.
Police confirm he had just been served divorce papers from his wife. He had been considered by many to be a rising star in the Democrat party.
A report at Fox confirmed Davis said, “We know that recently, Mr. Fairfax was served some type of paperwork indicating when he was scheduled to next appear in court for the ongoing divorce proceedings.
“That is something that we’re looking at as something that may have led to whatever happened last night that led to the murder of a mother and a wife, and a suicide.”
The case remains under review and police said the couple’s two teen children are being interviewed.
Police are describing the tragedy as a murder-suicide in the family’s home in Annandale.
Fox revealed that Justin Fairfax had, weeks ago, made a complaint of domestic assault against his wife, but police found no evidence.
Davis said, “We responded to that scene.”
He described how at some point multiple cameras had been set up inside the home, and the evidence from them confirmed an assault didn’t occur.
Fairfax was the state’s lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022, alongside Democrat Gov. Ralph Northam, who was famous for suggesting abortion laws allow a mother and doctor to decide if a baby lives, after it’s born.
Two women accused Fairfax of sexual assault in 2019. Vanessa Tyson accused Fairfax of forcing her to perform oral sex in 2004. Meredith Watson accused him of raping her in 2000, when both were at Duke University. Both accusers are black, as was Fairfax. Fairfax denied the allegations.
Breaking News: Justin Fairfax, a former lieutenant governor of Virginia, shot and killed his wife, Cerina Fairfax, before killing himself, the police said. https://t.co/65W2z2zYJp
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 16, 2026
BREAKING: Former Democrat VA Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax SHOT AND KlLLED his wife last night in their home, before turning the gun on himself, per NBC
Their two children were home at the time.
Absolutely HORRIFIC.
Pray for these kids today. They lost BOTH parents today 🙏🏻
h/t… pic.twitter.com/deRcKDSSHY
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 16, 2026
