Virginia flags lowered to honor Dr. Cerina Fairfax, dentist killed in murder-suicide

Flags in Virginia were lowered on Monday to honor the late Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax, the dentist shot and killed by her husband, former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, in a murder-suicide at their home on April 16. She was 49 years old.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger made the flag order on May 1, honoring Dr. Fairfax for her work and in solidarity with her surviving family, including two teenage children who were present during the shooting.

“We remember Dr. Cerina Fairfax’s life and her devotion to others, her patients, and most especially, her children. We honor her educational achievements, professional success, service to our Commonwealth, and her deep love for her family,” wrote Spanberger.

“We honor Dr. Cerina Fairfax by drawing attention to the reality that women in any community or circumstance may face domestic violence, and we lower the flags in memory of her and all women whose lives have been lost to domestic violence.”

Born in 1977, Dr. Fairfax was raised in Woodbridge, Virginia. She graduated from Duke University in 1999 before studying at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2005. She then completed a one-year residency in VCU’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry program before starting a private practice in Fairfax County.

Fairfax met her husband at Duke and they married in 2006. They shared two children, Cameron and Carys, and became the Second Family of Virginia in 2018 following Justin’s election as lieutenant governor. Fairfax continued to practice as a dentist throughout her husband’s term, which ended in 2022.

“As a clinician and alumna, Dr. Fairfax embodied the ideals of our profession—dedication to her patients, commitment to growth, and a deep sense of purpose in her work each day,” said Dr. Jeffrey T. Johnson, interim dean of the VCU School of Dentistry.

She headed her practice, Dr. Fairfax & Associates Family Dentistry, for nearly two decades and completed hundreds of hours of continuing education to enhance her work. She was named the Outstanding Graduate of the Last Decade by the VCU School of Dentistry in 2015.

Outside of dentistry, Fairfax was active in community outreach, vocational training programs, volleyball coaching, and was a supporter of local nonprofits. A woman of faith, she was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Annandale. Her bishop, Michael Burbidge of Arlington, was among the public figures who expressed sorrow after her tragic death.

“I invite the faithful and all people of goodwill to join me in prayer for the souls of the departed and for the consolation of their children and family,” said Burbidge. 

“May the Lord grant them healing and peace and the reassurance that he remains with them always, especially in this time of grief and sorrow."

Throughout her career, Fairfax was a member of the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association, the Northern Virginia Dental Society, and Omicron Kappa Upsilon, a national honor society for dentists.

“In addition to being a beloved practitioner in her community, Dr. Fairfax loved giving back through volunteer work and contributions to local charities focused on helping those in need,” said Ryan Dunn, CEO of the Virginia Dental Association.

“As we remember Dr. Fairfax, we honor the impact she made and the connections she helped build within the VDA and her community.”

Dr. Fairfax separated from her husband in 2024 and filed for divorce the following year. Proceedings were ongoing at the time of her murder. She is survived by her two children; her mother, Conchita Wanzer-Clark; her father, Kevin Pope; stepfather, Sidney Clark Jr.; brother, also Kevin Pope; and sisters, Arisce Wanzer and Dawn Cook.

“Cerina was a beacon of light—kind, generous, and fiercely devoted to her children,” said Fairfax’s brother, who organized an online fundraiser for her children that has raised nearly $123,000 as of Tuesday morning.

Fairfax’s family has asked for privacy in their bereavement and said that funeral services will not be public.

Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.

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