Nationwide — Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax had reportedly maxed out a $30K credit card and was not paying child support when he fatally shot his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, inside their Annandale, Virginia home before taking his own life. Authorities said the incident happened during a domestic dispute connected to an ongoing divorce, while their two teenage children were inside the residence.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said the situation escalated after Justin Fairfax was served court documents tied to an upcoming divorce hearing. He said the couple was separated but continued living in the same home, according to ABC News.
Police said the shooting took place around midnight. The couple’s two teenage children were inside the house at the time, and their eldest son later called 911 to report the incident.
Davis said officers had previously responded to a domestic-related call at the home in January. He added that video footage from cameras installed by Dr. Cerina Fairfax later became part of the investigation and helped clarify earlier conflicting claims.
Cerina Fairfax worked as a dentist in Fairfax County and ran a private practice. She graduated from VCU’s Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in 2005 and was involved in community outreach and local service programs.
Justin Fairfax served as Virginia’s lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022 after winning the 2017 election. Before entering politics, he worked as an attorney and later ran for governor in 2021 but lost in the Democratic primary.