Dr. Cerina Fairfax, a 49-year-old dentist, and her estranged husband, former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide at their home in Annandale, Virginia early Thursday morning. Police responded to a 911 call from the couple's 16-year-old son and discovered Cerina unconscious and bleeding in the basement while Justin appeared to have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his bedroom.
Key Takeaways
Former Virginia Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax killed his estranged wife Dr Cerina Fairfax in an apparent murder-suicide at their home. Police found both dead after responding to a 911 call from their son. The couple had been separated and were involved in a contentious divorce.
- Former Virginia Lt Governor kills estranged wife, then himself
- Couple's two teenage children present but unharmed
- Cerina Fairfax was respected dentist with thriving practice
- Justin Fairfax faced sexual assault allegations during political career
According to police reports and interviews with family friends, Cerina had been preparing for an upcoming divorce trial scheduled for Tuesday. Glennetta White, a close friend of Cerina's, told Daily Mail that Cerina was looking forward to the trial as a means to finally gain freedom from her husband. The couple had been separated for nearly two years and were involved in a contentious divorce process.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation. Cerina Fairfax was remembered by colleagues and patients as a caring professional and devoted mother who ran a thriving family dentistry practice in nearby Fairfax, Virginia. She was recognized in 2015 as the Outstanding Graduate of the Last Decade by the Virginia Commonwealth School of Dentistry.
Justin Fairfax served as Virginia's lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022. His political career was overshadowed by sexual assault allegations from two women, which he denied. Behind the scenes, court filings revealed a troubled marriage with incidents of violence and Justin's struggles with alcoholism. Cerina had recently been awarded primary custody of their two children.
The couple's $1 million home showed signs of tension, with Cerina installing cameras to monitor her husband's activities. The divorce trial was set to address financial matters and support arrangements. Friends described Cerina as focused on moving forward with her life while Justin appeared disengaged from society.
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