Former Va. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax Defaulted on $30K in Credit Card Debt Before Murder-Suicide, Records Show
Fairfax fatally shot his wife, Cerina, before turning the gun on himself in their Annandale, Va., home
Newly surfaced records indicate that former Justin Fairfax had been dealing with financial difficulties prior to a fatal incident that is now under investigation. Documents show outstanding credit card debt totaling tens of thousands of dollars
Fairfax County, Va., police said Fairfax killed his wife, Cerina, and then turned the gun on himself shortly after midnight on Thursday, April 16, in their family home in Annandale, Va.
The couple’s son, Cameron, called police to report the incident, according to police Chief Kevin Davis.
At the time of their deaths, Fairfax and Cerina were in the process of a “messy” divorce, Davis said, and had slept in separate beds.
Court records reviewed by PEOPLE indicate that Fairfax owed a total of $29,793.89 to two credit card companies and defaulted on both debts.
The two default judgments were handed down in 2025.
PEOPLE also reviewed divorce records, in which Cerina claimed that Fairfax had failed to pay his half of their children’s tuition and neglected to pay the mortgage on their home.
Fairfax was due to appear in court in relation to his divorce on April 21.
While in office as lieutenant governor, Fairfax, who served from 2018 to 2022, was accused of sexual assault in 2019 but denied any wrongdoing.
