In the quiet, early morning hours of April 16, 2026, the life of Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax, a 49-year-old woman, was tragically cut short in her Annandale, Virginia, home. Responding to a 911 call made by one of her children shortly after midnight, Fairfax County Police arrived at the residence on Guinevere Drive to a grim discovery. Dr. Fairfax and her husband, former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, were both found deceased inside the house, each with apparent gunshot wounds.
Subsequent investigation by the Major Crimes Bureau revealed a domestic-related murder-suicide. Detectives concluded that Justin Fairfax, aged 47, shot and killed his wife before taking his own life with the same firearm. A firearm and cartridge casings were recovered at the scene. The couple's two teenage children were present in the home at the time of the incident but were physically unharmed. The family had been navigating a difficult period, with reports indicating the couple was separated but living together amidst contentious divorce proceedings. This domestic turmoil had previously led to police involvement, including an instance where Justin Fairfax accused his wife of assault, a claim that was later disproven by footage from cameras Dr. Fairfax had installed in the home.
Dr. Fairfax was a respected dentist and the founder of Fairfax Dentistry and Associates in Annandale. An honors graduate of Woodbridge High School, she went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Duke University and her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Virginia Commonwealth University. She was recognized by the VCU School of Dentistry Alumni Association as an "Outstanding Graduate of the Last Decade." Beyond her professional accomplishments, she was remembered as a devoted mother to her two children, a volunteer volleyball coach, and an active member of her community.
