Patients and colleagues are remembering Dr. Selina Fairfax as a devoted mother, a caring dentist and the backbone of her family after police say she was killed by her estranged husband, former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax.
Earlier Thursday, police found two people dead at their home in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Annandale, Virginia. They believe Justin Fairfax shot his wife and then killed himself. They are going through a divorce and a judge has ordered Justin Fairfax to vacate the house by the end of the month.
Cerina Fairfax, 49, runs a thriving family dental practice in nearby Fairfax. A profile page on her website describes her as an avid reader who enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, trail running with her Vizsla, and “spending time with her wonderful family.”
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Virginia Rep. Jennifer McClellan, who got to know Fairfax through her husband’s campaign and his time in office, said their two teenage children are “the people she cherishes most.”
“Selina Fairfax was a loving and dedicated mother and the central pillar of her extended family,” McClellan wrote in a statement.
Terron Sims II, a friend and patient, remembers her as a quiet and caring friend whose dentistry was more than just a profession.
“This is an expression of love and compassion,” Sims told WUSA-TV. “It was her way of serving others.”
In 2015, Fairfax was named the Outstanding Graduate of the Past Decade by the Virginia Commonwealth School of Dentistry. Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, interim dean of the School of Dentistry, wrote that her passing was deeply saddened by many who knew her.
“As a clinician and alumnus, Dr. Fairfax embodies the ideals of our profession—dedication to patients, commitment to growth and a deep sense of purpose at work every day,” Johnson wrote. “I know she was a mentor, role model and friend to many in our school.”
Leaders in the state’s dental community also praised her achievements and commitment to patients.
“In addition to being a beloved physician in the community, Dr. Fairfax loved to give back through volunteer work and donations to local charities dedicated to helping those in need,” Virginia Dental Association CEO Ryan Dunn said in a statement. “As we honor Dr. Fairfax, we honor the impact she made and the connections she helped create within VDA and its community.”
Cerina and Justin Fairfax met as undergraduates at Duke University and married in 2006.
Justin Fairfax unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for attorney general in 2013 and then won the lieutenant governor’s race in 2017. He was considered a rising star in the Democratic Party until a few years ago, before he and Serena were married, two women came forward accusing him of sexually assaulting them. He has denied the accusations and has not been charged. He will step down from office at the end of his term in 2022 after failing to run for governor.
Cerina Fairfax said in court documents that they separated nearly two years ago. But they still lived in the same house with their children, who police said were home at the time of their deaths.
The divorce judge gave Justin Fairfax until the end of April to move out, writing, “It is clear that tensions in the Fairfax home have been running high for an extended period of time.” He also noted in the March 30 court order that Serena “has been the undisputed primary caregiver in all aspects of the children’s lives” and that she has been “the children’s safe haven during storms.”
“Their extraordinary resilience and early success was due to their mother’s courage,” Judge Timothy McEvoy wrote.
Selina Fairfax’s attorney, Amy Spain, said her client’s death “left an immeasurable void in the lives of all those who knew and loved her.”
“Above all, Selina was a devoted mother to her beautiful children who were the center of her world,” Spain said. “She exemplified the true meaning of motherhood through her unconditional and unwavering devotion to her children, providing constant love, protection and guidance.”
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Associated Press writer John Raby in Charleston, West Virginia, contributed to this report.
