Former Va. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot his wife in apparent murder
WTOP • • nation
Key Points:
- Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, before taking his own life in their Annandale home amid a contentious divorce, according to police.
- The couple's teenage children were home during the incident but were unharmed; the shooting occurred shortly after midnight following a 911 call from their son.
- Police described the divorce as "messy" and noted Fairfax had been ordered to move out by the end of April; a recent court proceeding may have triggered the violence.
- Fairfax, who served as lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022, faced sexual assault allegations in 2019 but was never criminally charged; he lost a 2021 gubernatorial primary and returned to practicing law.
- The deaths have shocked local lawmakers, with tributes and condolences shared, highlighting the tragic fall of a high-profile family previously seen as promising.
