Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife Dr. Cerina Fairfax before turning the gun on himself in their Annandale home on Thursday, April 16, 2026, according to police.
The couple, aged 47 and 49 respectively, were found dead inside their residence in the 8100 block of Guinevere Drive after their teenage son called 911 shortly after midnight.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis stated that Fairfax shot his wife several times in the house’s basement before moving upstairs to the primary bedroom and taking his own life with the same firearm.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene and their teenage children, a boy and a girl, were unharmed despite being present in the home during the incident.
Davis described the events as unfolding rapidly and spontaneously, noting that cartridge casings and a firearm were recovered at the residence.
Autopsy reports from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will confirm the cause and manner of death.
The incident occurred amid ongoing divorce proceedings, which Davis characterized as a “complicated or messy” situation, with a judge having ordered Fairfax to vacate the family home by the end of April.
Fairfax had previously alleged in January that his wife assaulted him, a claim Davis said was investigated and found to be untrue after reviewing home security cameras installed by Cerina Fairfax during the divorce process.
The couple had been separated while continuing to live in the same residence, and Fairfax faced financial strain following sexual assault allegations in 2019, including an IRS lien for over $91,000 in unpaid taxes that was resolved in 2021.
Cerina Fairfax, a doctor of dental surgery who graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005, operated a family dentistry practice and was known for her commitment to community outreach, reading, trail running with her dogs, and practicing Bikram yoga.
The couple met while attending Duke University and married in 2006.
Their deaths have deeply affected local lawmakers, who have shared tributes and condolences in response to the loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Justin and Cerina Fairfax?
Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife Cerina Fairfax in their Annandale home before taking his own life with the same firearm, according to police.
Were their children harmed during the incident?
The couple’s teenage son and daughter were in the house at the time but were not harmed, police confirmed.
What role did divorce proceedings play in the incident?
Police Chief Kevin Davis said the couple was in the midst of a “messy” divorce, and Fairfax had been ordered to move out of the home by the end of April, which may have contributed to the tragedy.
This tragedy leaves many questioning how private struggles can culminate in such profound loss, even among those who once held public trust.