Ex-Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax displayed ‘highly troubling’ conduct prior to murder-suicide, according to a judge.

Concerns Surrounding Justin Fairfax’s Mental Health

A Virginia judge has raised alarms about former Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax’s mental well-being during a recent child custody case involving his two teens. Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Timothy J. McEvoy pointed to Fairfax’s behavior, isolation, and alcohol consumption in a court order dated March 30, indicating these factors reflect a sense of hopelessness.

In a shocking turn of events, Fairfax reportedly killed his estranged wife, Dr. Selina Fairfax, before taking his own life early Thursday morning. The two were living together amid their divorce proceedings, which followed accusations of sexual assault against Fairfax in 2019.

At the time, Fairfax was seen as a prominent political figure, eyeing a gubernatorial run. The allegations against him, however, seemed to derail those ambitions, as noted in court documents.

Previously, Fairfax served as lieutenant governor from 2018 until 2022. In 2019, two women accused him of sexual assault during their time at Duke University.

The tragic killings occurred just days before an April 21 divorce hearing and an April 30 deadline for Fairfax to vacate their shared home. Recently, he had been served legal documents pertaining to this hearing.

McEvoy’s order referenced a troubling incident from 2022 in which Fairfax obtained a handgun during a period of emotional distress. Disturbingly, it was reported that the gun was purchased with funds intended for his children’s riding lessons. After leaving home with the weapon, it was found by family members in a nearby park following a frantic search. Fairfax’s brother had to reach out to a mental health professional after struggling to calm him for several hours, as indicated by the judge.

According to reports, Fairfax had been drinking heavily, often isolating himself in his home office surrounded by empty bottles and unkempt surroundings. Court documents conveyed that his appearances in the household were scant, mostly limited to quick trips for food or cigarettes.

The judge highlighted that there was no evidence to suggest Fairfax sought mental health support but opted against mandating therapy at that time. Tensions in the couple’s domestic life had reportedly been exceedingly high for an extended period, contributing to a taxing environment, prompting the judge to order Fairfax’s relocation from their Annandale home, near Washington, D.C.