Former Dem Virginia Lt. Gov. kills wife, himself in shocking murder-suicide: police

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Former Democratic Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax killed his wife and then himself in a shocking murder-suicide early Thursday morning, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. 

“Justin Fairfax shot and killed – shot several times –  and killed his wife, ran to a different part of the home and then killed himself with the same firearm he just got unseen,” said police chief Kevin Davis during a press conference on Thursday morning. 

Police received a 911 call shortly after midnight from Fairfax’s teenage son.

Fairfax’s killing comes amid reported marital disputes with his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, as the couple was seeking a divorce, and follows controversy surrounding sexual assault allegations against him that dimmed his rising star status in the Democratic Party in 2019. 

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The violence unfolded as the couple was in the midst of a contentious divorce — though they were no longer together, they were still living under the same roof, Davis said.

There were several cameras set up in the home due to the divorce proceedings. 

“Fairfax called us to their home back in January and alleged that his wife assaulted him in the home, we were able to go to those cameras and determine that the alleged assault never occurred,” said Davis.

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“The allegation that Mr. Fairfax made in January that Mrs. Fairfax assaulted him was proven to be untrue,” said Davis noting investigators were able to corroborate that the alleged assault did not happen.

“So that’s the only time that the Fairfax County Police Department has ever been to the Fairfax home,” he added.

Fairfax served as the 41st lieutenant governor under Gov. Ralph Northam between Jan. 13, 2018, to Jan. 15, 2022.

Fairfax was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before moving to Annandale, Virginia. 

Fairfax shared two teenage children with his wife. Both children were present during the time of the murder. Davis said it is a “traumatic event for … those children to live through.”

Fairfax was accused of sexual assault in 2019 when two women came forward. The Virginia politician denied the allegations. 

One of the women shared a graphic statement saying he forced her to perform oral sex back in 2004 during the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Fox News Digital previously reported.

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Fairfax shot himself with the same gun he used to murder his wife. Authorities do not know the details about the gun purchase. 

He supported Virginia’s first red flag law preventing individuals who show signs of being a threat to themselves or others from purchasing, possessing or transporting any kind of firearm.

“We have given commonsense tools like the ‘red flag’ law to law enforcement, the courts and our communities to help keep our families safe even as we ensure due process and protect Constitutional rights,” he posted on X in 2022.