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Ex-Va. Lt. Gov. Fairfax Dies in Murder-Suicide

Published 16 April 2026

Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife, Cerina Fairfax, before taking his own life in their Annandale home early Thursday morning, authorities confirmed during a press conference.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis described the incident as a murder-suicide stemming from an ongoing domestic dispute tied to the couple's divorce proceedings. Fairfax, 47, had recently been served legal paperwork related to an upcoming court date, which investigators believe may have contributed to the events. The shooting occurred shortly after midnight in the 8100 block of Guinevere Drive. Police responded to a 911 call from the couple's teenage son and found Cerina Fairfax unconscious and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the basement. A subsequent search of the home located Justin Fairfax dead in the primary bedroom from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The same firearm was recovered at the scene, and both were pronounced dead on arrival.

The couple's two high school-aged children were home at the time but unharmed. Davis noted the profound trauma they endured, stating the children are now with family members and receiving support from the police...

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