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Police Say Ex–Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax Killed Wife, Then Himself at Annandale Home

Police point to a contentious divorce, with home surveillance footage guiding an active investigation.

Overview

  • Fairfax, who authorities say opened fire just after midnight Thursday, is believed to have shot Cerina Fairfax in the basement before killing himself upstairs.
  • Police link the violence to a difficult divorce, saying Fairfax was recently served court paperwork, with records showing Cerina Fairfax filed in July 2025 and a judge set an April 21 appearance.
  • The couple’s two teenagers were in the house, and their son called 911; the children are now with relatives and receiving support from police victim services.
  • Detectives say cameras installed in the home provided key evidence, and January footage contradicted Justin Fairfax’s earlier allegation that his wife assaulted him.
  • Investigators are executing search warrants and gathering evidence, and they say the same firearm appears to have been used in both shootings; Fairfax’s political career had already stalled after 2019 sexual assault allegations he denied.