Former Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax Kills Wife and Himself in Annandale Home, Police Say

Authorities in Annandale, Virginia, reported that former Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, 47, fatally shot his wife, Cerina Fairfax, before taking his own life in the early hours of Thursday. The incident took place inside the couple's home, where their teenage children were present at the time.

Fairfax County Police stated that shortly after midnight, Fairfax shot Cerina multiple times in the basement. He then proceeded upstairs to the main bedroom, where he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The sequence of events unfolded rapidly, with no evidence of a prolonged confrontation beforehand, according to Police Chief Kevin Davis.

The couple's teenage son was the one to call 911, initially believing his mother had been stabbed. Responding officers found bullet casings near Cerina Fairfax's body and later discovered Justin Fairfax deceased upstairs. Authorities confirmed that both children are now receiving support from victim services.

Investigators indicated that Justin and Cerina Fairfax were in the midst of divorce proceedings, having filed last July. Despite the separation, they continued living in the same home but slept in different bedrooms. Chief Davis described the family situation as complex and noted that a recent domestic dispute had led to police involvement in January; however, no charges were filed after a review of security footage.

Justin Fairfax previously served as Virginia's 41st lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022. The violence shocked political leaders across the state. Senator Mark Warner called the deaths "awful news" and expressed sympathy for the Fairfax children. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger also described the event as a "horrific tragedy."

The investigation into the circumstances remains ongoing, but authorities do not believe anyone else was involved. The two teenage children continue to be cared for by victim services and family members.