Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Wife Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide

Justin Fairfax, 47, the former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, and his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, 49, were found dead in their Annandale, Virginia, home on Thursday, April 16, 2026. The Fairfax County Police Department is investigating the deaths as an apparent murder-suicide. The couple's teenage son placed a 911 call shortly after midnight. The couple was in the process of a divorce and were living together under a court order.

The Incident and Police Response

The couple was found deceased in their Annandale residence in the early hours of Thursday, April 16, 2026. Their teenage son called 911 shortly after midnight. The couple's other teenage child was also home at the time.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis stated that evidence indicates Justin Fairfax shot his wife multiple times before shooting himself.

The two children are now in the care of grandparents and other family members.

Background and Domestic Situation

The couple was undergoing divorce proceedings. Cerina Fairfax had filed for divorce in the summer of 2025, and the couple had been separated for nearly two years but continued to live in the same home. A judge had ordered Justin Fairfax to move out of the family home by the end of April 2026.

According to Police Chief Davis, the couple had been involved in an ongoing domestic dispute related to the divorce. Police are investigating whether paperwork for an upcoming court hearing, served to Justin Fairfax shortly before the incident, was a factor.

In January 2026, police responded to the home after Justin Fairfax reported an alleged assault by his wife. Police stated that a review of home security camera footage, which had been installed by Cerina Fairfax, did not corroborate the allegation.

Biographical Information

Justin Fairfax:

• Served as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 2018 to 2022.
• In 2019, he was positioned to become governor if then-Governor Ralph Northam resigned during a scandal, but he did not assume the office.
• That same year, two women publicly accused him of sexual assault from 2000 and 2004. Fairfax denied the allegations and was never charged. He resisted calls to resign and completed his term.
• He was an unsuccessful candidate for Virginia Attorney General in 2013 and lost the 2021 Democratic primary for governor.
• Following the sexual assault allegations, he resigned from a law firm. Court records indicated the couple had faced financial challenges, including an IRS tax lien for over $91,000 that was resolved in 2021.

Cerina Fairfax:

• Was a dentist who ran a family practice.
• She was honored as an outstanding alumna by the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry in 2015.
• The couple married in 2006 after meeting as undergraduates at Duke University.

Public Statements

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis: Described the event as "very sad for this community" and stated that people who knew the family were shocked.

U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (D-Va.): Issued a joint statement expressing they were "keeping Cerina and Justin Fairfax's family — especially their two children — in our prayers as we all process this shocking and horrifying news."

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger: Posted on social media that she was deeply saddened and noted the tragedy "reminds us that domestic violence can occur in any family and in any place," while directing people to support resources.