Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and wife found dead

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Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and his wife were found fatally shot inside their home on April 16 in what detectives are investigating as an apparent murder-suicide.

Fairfax County Police Department Chief Ken Davis said sometime after midnight, Justin Fairfax allegedly shot his wife Dr. Cerina Fairfax, a dentist, in an unfinished basement in the home, then ran upstairs to the home's primary bedroom before shooting himself.

The couple's home is in Annandale, a town in Fairfax County about 14 miles southwest of Washington.

"This has been on ongoing domestic dispute surrounding what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce," Davis said during a news conference outside the home.

Fairfax County Circuit Court records show Cerina Fairfax filed for divorce on July 18, 2025. The case remained pending the day of the shooting and an order issued on April 10 directed Justin Fairfax to appear in court on April 21.

Governor Abigail Spanberger, in a post on X, asked Virginians to pray for the family calling the case "a horrific tragedy.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred last night," Spanberger wrote. "Dr. Fairfax was a devoted mother, beloved dentist in the Fairfax County community, and engaged supporter of her alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University. My prayers are with the Wanzer and Fairfax families as they mourn their own loss, endeavor to make sense of this tragedy, and comfort the Fairfax children."

Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi released a statement calling the case tragic and saying she was "filled with sorrow."

"My thoughts are with their children, loved ones and numerous friends," Hashmi wrote.

"I’m keeping Cerina and Justin Fairfax’s children in my prayers as we all process this shocking and horrifying news," Virginia Sen. Mark Warner posted on X after the killings.

Davis said the couple's teenage son and daughter were in the home at the time of the shooting but were not harmed, and that the couple's son called 911 to report the shooting just after midnight.

Officers who responded to the call found the couple dead inside, police Captain Chris Cosgriff said.

"That's horrible news for the family, certainly a traumatic incident for those children to live through," Davis said. "Certainly a fall from grace for a relatively high-profile family that seemingly had a lot of things going in their favor."

Davis said it was not the first time police responded to the home for a reported domestic incident.

In January, the former lieutenant governor called police to report his wife had assaulted him there, but detectives reviewed cameras inside the home and determined an assault did not occur.

USA TODAY has reached out to the offices of Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones for comment.

Who is Justin Fairfax?

Justin Fairfax was the 41st lieutenant governor of Virginia.

He was 47 at the time of his death and is originally from Pittsburgh.

Fairfax was a former federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia in 2010.

In 2017, he ran for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia as a member of the Democratic Party, defeating Jill Vogel by a 53%-47% margin.

Fairfax served from 2018 to 2022 and was the second African American person elected to the office in the state after Douglas Wilder.

"My heart goes out to the Fairfax family today, particularly the children," Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares posted on X. "For anyone struggling with this kind of darkness, the most courageous thing you can do is ask for help. There is more help and friendship out there than we realize."

Justin Fairfax previously faced sexual assault allegations

During his time in office, Fairfax faced sexual assault allegations from at least two women.

Many called for him to resign from his lieutenant governor role, including the state Democratic Party, but he continued his job as no criminal charges were ever filed.

Vanessa Tyson, who worked alongside Fairfax at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, alleged Fairfax forced her to perform oral sex in a Boston hotel. Fairfax denied the allegations, saying the encounter was consensual.

A second woman, Meredith Watson, also reported he sexually assaulted her while they attended Duke University in 2000.

"I have never forced myself on anyone ever," he said after the second accusation. "I will clear my good name and I have nothing to hide."

Fairfax was never charged, and in 2021 he sued CBS for defamation after it aired interviews from his accusers. The lawsuit was later dismissed.

Contributing: Mike Stunson with USA TODAY

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.