Ex-Virginia lieutenant governor kills wife, self with kids home

FAIRFAX, Va. (CN) — Fairfax County police confirmed former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife, Cerina, before killing himself early Thursday morning.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said at a press conference that the pair were in an ongoing domestic dispute surrounding a messy divorce.

“Former Lieutenant Governor Fairfax was recently served some paperwork associated with an upcoming court proceeding that apparently led to this incident last night,” Davis said. “Both of their children, teenagers, the boy older than the girl, were in the house when it happened, so that’s horrible news for the family.”

Davis said Fairfax shot Cerina several times in their unfinished basement before running to the main bedroom of his home in Annandale, Virginia, and killing himself with the same firearm. Davis noted the teenage son was the one who called the police just after midnight.

“I think it’s fair to say that Justin Fairfax, before he was lieutenant governor, while he served as lieutenant governor, and even afterward, was a rising star politically, not just in Northern Virginia, but in Virginia,” Davis said. “So it’s high profile in nature. It’s tragic in nature, certainly a fall from grace for a relatively high-profile family that seemingly had had a lot of things going in their favor.”

Fairfax had called the police in January, accusing Cerina of assaulting him at their home. Police found the claim unfounded after reviewing surveillance footage from cameras Cerina placed in the home during the divorce proceedings. Davis said the pair remained in the same home during the divorce proceedings while sleeping in separate bedrooms.

“Virginia woke up this morning to the devastating news regarding Cerina Fairfax and former Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax,” current Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi said in a statement. “My thoughts are with their children, loved ones and numerous friends. Along with so many in the commonwealth, I am filled with sorrow; I await further insights from our law enforcement officials.”

Fairfax, a 47-year-old Democrat, served under Democratic Governor Ralph Northam between 2018 and 2022.

“Pam and I are devastated by this heartbreaking news,” Northam said in a statement. “I had the privilege of getting to know the Fairfaxes while our families served together. We are praying for Cameron, Carys and the entire Fairfax family during this incredibly difficult time."

Fairfax began his political career as a briefing coordinator for former Second Lady Tipper Gore in Al Gore’s Nashville, Tennessee office during the 2000 presidential campaign. He also served as a law clerk to U.S. Federal Judge Gerald Bruce Lee before working as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Fairfax narrowly lost the Democratic nomination for attorney general to Mark Herring in 2013. He worked for firms WilmerHale, Veneable LLP and Morrison & Foerster. Fairfax resigned from Morrison Foerster in 2019 after two women accused him of sexual assault. One woman accused Fairfax of raping her while they were undergraduate students at Duke University, while the other accused Fairfax of sexually assaulting her in a hotel room during the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Fairfax came in fourth in the 2021 Democratic gubernatorial primary.

“I am heartbroken by the deeply disturbing reports emerging this morning. This is an unspeakable tragedy — and our hearts are with the family, especially the children and loved ones whose lives have been forever changed by this devastating loss,” Speaker of the House of Delegates Don Scott said in a statement. “There are moments when words fall short — and this is one of them. All we can do is pray, hold our loved ones closer, and grieve alongside those who are hurting today.”

Fairfax returned to work as an attorney following his stint presiding over the state Senate. Cerina worked as a dentist.

Davis said the department’s victim services division is doing everything it can for the surviving high school-aged children.

“Their well-being is the primary concern,” Davis said. “Everybody’s shocked. We’re shocked."

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). Visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of resources.