Former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax fatally shoots wife before taking his own life, police say

A once-prominent political figure is now at the center of a devastating domestic tragedy.

Authorities say Justin Fairfax, 45, shot and killed his wife, Cerina Fairfax, inside their home in Annandale, Virginia, before turning the gun on himself. The incident happened shortly after midnight on April 16, 2026, with their two teenage children inside the house at the time.

Police say the couple’s son made the chilling 911 call.

Responding officers arrived to find both victims dead. According to Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis, evidence suggests Justin Fairfax fired multiple shots at his wife in the basement before going upstairs and dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The same firearm was used in both deaths.

Investigators say the case appears tied to an ongoing and “complicated” divorce. Court records show that Cerina Fairfax filed for divorce in July 2025, and a court appearance for Justin Fairfax had been scheduled just days after the shooting.

Adding another layer, authorities revealed the home had multiple cameras installed, reportedly linked to the couple’s legal disputes. Detectives are reviewing that footage as part of the investigation.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through both the local community and political circles.

Justin Fairfax once served as Virginia’s lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022 and was seen as a rising Democratic figure. His career, however, was overshadowed by sexual assault allegations in 2019, which he denied while calling for formal investigations.

In recent years, public records also show financial legal disputes, including lawsuits over unpaid debts totaling tens of thousands of dollars.

Police emphasized how rare such outcomes are, even in high-conflict separations.

“This is an incredibly tragic situation,” Chief Davis said, noting the emotional toll on the children, who are now being cared for by relatives with support services in place.

The investigation remains ongoing, but authorities have stated there is no ongoing threat to the public.