Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife, himself in overnight murder-suicide, police say

ANNANDALE, Va. — Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife and then himself in an overnight murder-suicide in Annandale, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said on Thursday.

Authorities were called to the 8100 block of Guinevere Drive shortly after midnight Thursday morning. When WUSA9 crews arrived, police were investigating at 8106 Guinevere Drive, which is owned by the former lieutenant governor. 

Chief Davis said Fairfax shot his wife, Cerina Fairfax, several times before shooting and killing himself. 

Both of the pair’s teenage children were home at the time of the murder-suicide. Their son was the one to call 911. 

Justin and Cerina Fairfax were separated but living together at the home. They were in the midst of contentious divorce proceedings, where Cerina Fairfax had installed surveillance cameras around the home. Justin Fairfax had at one point accused Cerina of assaulting him, which Davis said police were able to disprove by reviewing the camera footage.

Justin Fairfax was lieutenant governor of Virginia under Gov. Ralph Northam. He was elected in 2019, but his time in office was marred by scandal and several sexual assault and rape allegations.

The address is a short walk from Camelot Elementary School. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources and support services are available: The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1 (800) 799-7233 or you can visit www.TheHotline.org or text “START” to 88788.