FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Once a promising figure in the Democratic party, Virginia’s former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, has tragically ended both his life and that of his wife, according to police reports on Thursday. Fairfax’s political career, which had been on an upward trajectory, was previously overshadowed by accusations of sexual assault.
The couple’s lifeless bodies were discovered in their Annandale residence in northern Virginia. The grim discovery was made after their teenage son dialed 911 shortly past midnight, as revealed by Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis.
Fairfax and his wife were in the midst of divorce proceedings, and recent court documents had been served to him detailing his upcoming court appearance, Davis noted.
“That might have been a catalyst,” Chief Davis remarked. “Our detectives will be investigating if this was a contributing factor to the tragic events that unfolded.”
In 2019, Fairfax was briefly positioned to ascend to the role of Virginia governor. This development came as Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam faced intense scrutiny and calls for his resignation due to a racially insensitive photo from his medical school yearbook.
However, Fairfax’s ascent was abruptly halted when two women accused him of sexual assault in incidents they claimed occurred years earlier. Fairfax strongly refuted these accusations.
Vanessa Tyson said Fairfax – at the time a Columbia Law School student serving as an aide to Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards – forced her to perform oral sex in his hotel room during the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004. Two days after Tyson’s statement, Meredith Watson issued her own, accusing Fairfax of raping her in 2000, when they were students at Duke University.
The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they are victims of sexual assault, but both women came forward publicly. Fairfax said the encounters were consensual and refused calls to resign.
“It’s very sad for this community,” Davis said. “A lot of people who know the Fairfax family, everybody’s shocked. We’re shocked.”
This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
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