Cerina Fairfax: Justin Fairfax, ex-lieutenant governor of Virginia, kills his wife and himself
Justin Fairfax, ex-lieutenant governor of Virginia and his wife Cerina’s children were reportedly at home during the incident.
In a statement shared on Fairfax County Police Facebook’s page, Police Chief Kevin Davis said: “Good morning, I am here to identify of our shooter in this murder suicide that happened several hours ago as former lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax. Former lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife inside of their home and then shot and killed himself.”
In response to the Facebook post, one person wrote: “My heart goes out to the children. I pray they get the counseling they’ll need. ,” whilst another said: “It would be nice if they focused on the primary victim, the wife and mother rather than Justin Fairfax.
Simply because he was famous doesn't mean the primary victim isn't her, not him.”
Justin Fairfax served under Governor Ralph Northam as a Democratic lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022. NBC News reported that “Pam and I are devastated by this heartbreaking news,” Northam said in a statement, referring to his wife. “I had the privilege of getting to know the Fairfaxes while our families served together.”
In 2019, Justin Fairfax was engulfed in a scandal when a second woman come forward to accuse the deputy governor of sexual assault. Meredith Watson alleged that he raped her while they were students at Duke University in 2000.
At the time Justin Fairfax said: “I deny this latest unsubstantiated allegation. It is demonstrably false. I have never forced myself on anyone ever,” he wrote in a statement. “I demand a full investigation into these unsubstantiated and false allegations. Such an investigation will confirm my account because I am telling the truth. I will clear my good name and I have nothing to hide.”
Justin Fairfax also said: “I have passed two full field background checks by the FBI and run for office in two highly contested elections with nothing like this being raised before,” he wrote. “It is obvious that a vicious and coordinated smear campaign is being orchestrated against me. I will not resign.”
According to The New York Post, “Ultimately, no criminal charges were filed and no formal legal finding of wrongdoing was reached in the sexual assault charges.But the allegations destroyed Fairfax’s promising political career.”
Who was Cerina Fairfax?
Cerina Fairfax was a dentist who was married to Justin Fairfax, ex-lieutenant governor of Virginia. The couple wed on June 17, 2006. In 2017, he took to Facebook and wrote: “Happy 11th Wedding Anniversary to the love of my life, Dr. Cerina W. Fairfax, DDS! 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!
“We met 20 years ago at Duke University, and there has been a lot of laughter, love, smiling, and amazement ever since. With you and our faith, impossible is nothing.
“My Love,
Jf.”
The couple, who separated in 2025 were parents to a son and a daughter.
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