Former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax and his estranged wife, Cerina Fairfax, died in an apparent murder-suicide.
News broke in April 2026 that Justin shot Cerina “several times” inside their home. He allegedly shot himself moments later in a different part of the property.
“This has been an ongoing domestic dispute surrounding what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce. So far what we know is what you know,” police chief Kevin Davis said in a press conference. “There seems to be divorce proceedings that have been ongoing.”
He continued, “From what I understand at this early stage, [Justin] was recently served some paperwork associated with an upcoming court proceeding. That apparently led to the incident last night.”
Celebrity Deaths of 2026: Hip-Hop Pioneer Afrika Bambaataa and More
Keep scrolling to learn more about Cerina:
When Did Justin Fairfax and Cerina Fairfax Get Married?
Justin Fairfax and Cerina Fairfax got married on June 17, 2006.
“Happy 11th Wedding Anniversary to the love of my life, Dr. Cerina W. Fairfax, DDS,” Justin wrote via Facebook in June 2017. “God has brought us a mighty long way, and we are deeply grateful and tremendously blessed. We got married on June 17, 2006 in #Arlington, VA outdoors at the Netherlands Carillon Gardens. We held the reception at Top of the Town. It was a blazing hot, but truly perfect day!”
After two decades of marriage, Justin and Cerina separated in July 2025. The proceedings were not finalized at the time of their deaths.
How Did Justin Fairfax and Cerina Fairfax Meet?
Justin Fairfax revealed via Facebook in June 2017 that he met Cerina Fairfax when they were both students at Duke University.
“There has been a lot of laughter, love, smiling and amazement ever since,” he wrote at the time. “With you and our faith, impossible is nothing.”
Cerina Fairfax Was a Dentist
Cerina Fairfax ran her own dental practice in Virginia.
“Dr. Fairfax considered it an honor and a privilege to serve the community of Fairfax, Virginia,” her website bio reads. “She was committed to serving not only her patients but others as well through participation in community outreach programs, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, vocational training programs and contributions to local charities and nonprofits intended to aid individuals and/or organizations helping those in need.
Justin Fairfax Claimed Cerina Fairfax Assaulted Him 4 Months Before Their Deaths
Virginia police officers claimed in April 2026 that Justin Fairfax called 911 over an alleged domestic violence altercation. The politician claimed that Cerina physically assaulted him at home.
“We reviewed the cameras [in the home] and we corroborated that the alleged assault never occurred,” police chief Kevin Davis said. “There was no arrest made, there was a report written, but the allegation that Mr. Fairfax made in January that Mrs. Fairfax assaulted him was proven to be untrue.”
Justin Fairfax and Cerina Fairfax Had 2 Kids
Justin and Cerina Fairfax were parents of a son and a daughter, both of whom were nearby when their parents died.
“Both of their children, teenagers … were in the house when it happened,” police chief Kevin Davis said in an April 2026 press conference. “That’s horrible news for the family, certainly a traumatic event for those children to live through.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
