Former VA Lt. Governor Kills Wife, Then Himself During Divorce

Justin Fairfax, a former lieutenant governor of Virginia whose tenure was upended by allegations of sexual assault, shot and killed his wife Cerina Fairfax on Thursday before killing himself, police said.

Kevin Davis, the chief of the Fairfax county police department in Virginia, said at a press conference that the murder-suicide took place in the context of "an ongoing domestic dispute surrounding what seems to be a complicated or or messy divorce". The shooting took place at the Fairfax's residence in Annandale, Virginia, and police arrived on the scene after receiving a 911 call from one of their teenage children shortly after midnight.

The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the Virginia political community, where Fairfax was once seen as a rising star. His political career was derailed in 2019 when two women accused him of sexual assault, allegations he has consistently denied.

"This is an unimaginable tragedy," said Governor Ralph Northam in a statement. "My heart goes out to the Fairfax family and all those affected by this devastating loss."

The murder-suicide comes as the Fairfaxes were reportedly engaged in a contentious divorce process. Cerina Fairfax, 48, had filed for divorce in January, citing "irreconcilable differences". The couple's two teenage children were home at the time of the shooting and called 911, according to police.

"This is a horrific outcome of what was already a difficult and painful situation," said Delegate Hala Ayala, a fellow Democrat who served with Fairfax in the Virginia legislature. "My prayers are with the family, especially the children, as they grapple with this unimaginable loss."

The murder-suicide has raised concerns about the impact of divorce and domestic disputes, especially when firearms are involved. Advocacy groups have long pushed for better resources and support for families navigating separation and divorce, as well as stronger gun control measures to prevent such tragedies.

"This is a devastating reminder of the real human toll when relationships break down and disputes turn violent," said Erin Corbett, director of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. "We must do more to support families in crisis and keep deadly weapons out of the hands of those who would use them to hurt their loved ones."

Former Virginia Lt. Governor's Tragic Murder-Suicide During Divorce Justin Fairfax, a former lieutenant governor of Virginia, shot and killed his wife Cerina before taking his own life, according to police. The tragic incident occurred during their ongoing divorce proceedings.