Former Dem Virginia Lt. Gov. kills wife, himself in shocking murder-suicide: police

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Former Democratic Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax was found dead in an apparent murder-suicide on Thursday morning, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. 

“Justin Fairfax shot and killed – shot several times –  and killed his wife, ran to a different part of the home and then killed himself with the same firearm he just got unseen,” said police chief Kevin Davis during a press conference on Thursday morning. 

Davis said the couple was no longer together even though they were still living in the same home. The couple was going through a divorce with upcoming court dates, according to the police chief, and that Fairfax had recently been served legal documents related to it.

“We know that because when Mr. Fairfax called us to their home back in January and alleged that his wife assaulted him in the home, we were able to go to those cameras and determine that that that never occurred. So if that’s the only time that the Fairfax County Police Department has ever been at the Fairfax home,” he added.

Fairfax served as the 41st lieutenant governor under Gov. Ralph Northam between Jan. 13, 2018, to Jan. 15, 2022.

Fairfax was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before moving to Annandale. 

Fairfax shared two children with his wife. 

This is a breaking news post and will be updated.