Cerina Fairfax
Second Lady of Virginia
In role
January 13, 2018 – January 15, 2022
Lieutenant Justin Fairfax
Preceded by Pamela Northam
Succeeded by Terence Sears (as Second Gentleman)
Personal details
Born Cerina Wanzer
(1977-02-24)February 24, 1977
Died April 16, 2026(2026-04-16) (aged 49)
Woodburn, Virginia, U.S.
Cause of death Murder by gunshot wound
Spouse
Justin Fairfax
​
​
(m.  2006; sep. 2024)​
[1]
Children 2
Relatives Arisce Wanzer (sister)
Education Duke University (BS)
Virginia Commonwealth University (DDS)
Occupation Dentist

Cerina Wanzer Fairfax (née Wanzer; February 24, 1977 – April 16, 2026) was an American dentist. The wife of Justin Fairfax, she was the second lady of Virginia from 2018 to 2022 during her husband's term as lieutenant governor. On April 16, 2026, she was murdered by Justin before he killed himself in a murder–suicide.

Early life and education

Fairfax was born on February 24, 1977.[2] She has a sister called Arisce who is an actress. She graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1999.[3] She graduated magna cum laude with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Dentistry in 2005 and was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon.[3][4] She later completed a residency program in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University.[3] In 2015, VCU School of Dentistry honored her as an outstanding alumna.[4]

Career and public life

Fairfax was a dental surgeon and the owner of a dental practice in Fairfax, Virginia.[5]

On January 13, 2018, upon her husband's swearing in as the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, she became the Second Lady of Virginia.

Personal life

She met Justin Fairfax while the two were students at Duke University.[5] They married on June 17, 2006, at the Netherlands Carillon Gardens in Arlington, Virginia.[6][7] They lived in Fairfax County with their son and daughter.[8]

Documents obtained by People following her death confirmed that Cerina and her husband had separated in 2024.[1] She filed for divorce on July 18, 2025, with Cerina and Justin Fairfax acknowledged to still be in the process of divorcing at the time of her death.[1][9]

In early 2026, Fairfax's husband accused her of assault, but recordings from security cameras she installed inside the family home showed authorities that no assault had taken place.[8]

Murder

On the morning of April 16, 2026, Fairfax and her husband were found dead in an apparent murder–suicide at their home in Fairfax County.[10][11][12] Her husband reportedly shot her multiple times and then himself.[13] Their two children were home at the time of the killing and their son called the authorities following the shooting.[12] The two were separated, and in the process of divorcing, but were living together at the time of the death.[13] Though they were still living together during their separation and divorce planning, court documents obtained by Washington, D.C.-based News 4 revealed that Justin had been ordered to move out of their home by the end of April 2026, with a judge also ordering him to be fined $300 for each day he continued not to comply with orders and compensate his wife for money he owed her.[14] Justin was also confirmed to have lost custody of his children as well.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c Comiter, Jordana (April 16, 2026). "What to Know About Former Politician Justin Fairfax's Kids and Estranged Wife amid Murder-Suicide Case". People. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  2. ^ "Happy Birthday to my brilliant and beautiful bride, Dr. Cerina W. Fairfax, DDS!!". Facebook. February 24, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c "Dr. Cerina W. Fairfax, DDS". Dr. Fairfax & Associates Family Dentistry. Fairfax, Virginia. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Biesecker, Michael; Ellgren, Nathan (April 16, 2026). "Justin Fairfax, who nearly became Virginia governor, killed his wife and himself, police say". Associated Press. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  5. ^ a b Mates, Thomas (April 16, 2026). "Who is Dr. Cerina Fairfax? What we know about woman killed by ex-Virginia Lt. Governor". WJLA-TV. Washington, D.C.
  6. ^ Bajaj, Yash Nitish (April 16, 2026). "'Deeply grateful…': What Ex-Virginia Lt Gov Justin Fairfax said about wife Cerina before filing for divorce". Hindustan Times. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  7. ^ Siwaki, Miranda (April 16, 2026). "Who Was Justin Fairfax's Estranged Wife? What to Know About Cerina Fairfax After Their Deaths". Us Weekly. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
  8. ^ a b Schmidt, Markus (April 16, 2026). "Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax kills wife, then himself, police say • Virginia Mercury". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  9. ^ Riess, Rebekah; Levenson, Eric; Todd, Brian; McConnell, Dugald (April 16, 2026). "Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax kills his wife and then himself, police say". CNN. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  10. ^ "Former lieutenant governor of Virginia kills wife and himself, police say". Al Jazeera. April 16, 2026. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  11. ^ Fortin, Jacey; Robertson, Campbell (April 16, 2026). "Virginia Ex-Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax Kills Wife and Self, Police Say". New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  12. ^ a b Rosenthal, Sophie; Bove, Nick (April 16, 2026). "Former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife, himself in Annandale, police confirm". WUSA. CBS News. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  13. ^ a b Stein, Chris (April 16, 2026). "Justin Fairfax, ex-lieutenant governor of Virginia, kills wife and himself". The Guardian. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  14. ^ a b Wilder, Drew (April 16, 2026). "Justin Fairfax lost custody of kids, was ordered to move out, court documents say". News4 Washington. Retrieved April 16, 2026.