Ex-Virginia deputy governor kills wife and himself in murder-suicide, police say
Investigators say Justin Fairfax shot his wife, Cerina, multiple times before turning the gun on himself.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"Pam and I are devastated by this heartbreaking news."
— Ralph Northam , Politician
"Pam y yo estamos devastados por esta desgarradora noticia."
— Ralph Northam , Politician
"I was concerned, as were other close friends, fraternity brothers, family members."
— Sophia A. Nelson , Other
Key People
Wife of Justin Fairfax, killed in a murder-suicide incident.
Cerina W. Fairfax was a professional associated with the field of academia.
Former deputy governor of Virginia who served from 2018 to 2022.
Former Governor of Virginia who served from 2018 to 2022.
Sophia A. Nelson is a Virginia author and journalist who described Justin Fairfax as a close friend.
Tags
All Coverage
Investigators say Justin Fairfax shot his wife, Cerina, multiple times before turning the gun on himself.
The former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Justin Fairfax, and his wife, Cerina, were found dead inside their home in Northern Virginia. Officials said it was a murder-suicide. Fairfax County police spokesperson Chris Cosgriff said, “Preliminarily, it appears that the adult male shot the adult female before shooting himself in a domestic-related incident.”
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax fatally shot his estranged wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, before killing himself in their Annandale, Virginia home, police reported. The tragedy occurred shortly before a court-ordered deadline for Fairfax to vacate the house due to ongoing divorce proceedings. Their teenage children were present at the time, and the couple had been living separately within the same home.
Justin Fairfax, exvicegobernador del Estado de Virginia, y su esposa, Cerina Fairfax, fueron hallados muertos en lo que parece ser ... . Fairfax, de 47 años, ... .
Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife, Dr. Cerina W. Fairfax, before turning the gun on himself in their Annandale, Virginia home, according to Fairfax County Police. The incident occurred amid a messy divorce, with Fairfax recently served court paperwork. The couple's two teenage children were home during the shooting but were unharmed.
Police in Virginia say Justin Fairfax, the state’s former lieutenant governor, shot and killed his wife and then fatally shot himself. Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said Thursday that both were found dead at their northern Virginia home after the couple’s teenage son called 911 shortly after midnight. The police chief said the couple was going through a divorce.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
New York Times executive fatally shot allegedly by elderly in-laws
Jonathan McKinsey's in-laws, who are both 77 years old, face multiple charges including first-degree murder.
September 28, 2026 at 08:50 PMLawyer demands 'accountability' after ex-deputy who shot Black airman is acquitted - Reuters
Lawyer demands 'accountability' after ex-deputy who shot Black airman is acquitted Reuters
October 3, 2026 at 02:05 AMFormer American Idol contestant and pastor found guilty of murdering wife
Caleb Flynn weeps in court as he is convicted of shooting his wife, Ashley, dead in their Ohio home.
September 29, 2026 at 10:13 PMTennessee prison chief to resign after Christa Pike's failed execution
Pike's lawyers said the failure "goes far beyond any one person". Pike is in critical condition after surviving two lethal injections.
October 3, 2026 at 05:48 PMTwo dead in Canada after vehicle hits pedestrians taking part in First Nations event
Police said the driver "may have been experiencing a medical emergency" before hitting four people in British Columbia.
September 30, 2026 at 08:02 PMWhat happened in failed execution of Christa Pike - and what next?
The convicted killer is in hospital in Tennessee after surviving two lethal injections, in a case that has raised many questions.
October 1, 2026 at 12:51 PM