Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife before killing himself in their Annandale home early Thursday morning, according to Fairfax County police.

Police Chief Kevin Davis said both were found dead after the couple's teenage son called 911 shortly after midnight. Davis described the incident as a domestic-related murder-suicide and said the couple was going through a divorce.

Fairfax, a Democrat, served as Virginia's 41st lieutenant governor from January 2018 to January 2022 under Governor Ralph Northam. He was once considered a rising political figure in the Democratic Party before sexual assault allegations emerged against him during his tenure, effectively ending his political career.

Davis revealed that police had previously responded to the home in January after Justin Fairfax alleged his wife had assaulted him. However, after reviewing security cameras that had been installed in the house during the divorce proceedings, police determined the alleged assault never occurred and no arrest was made.

The incident occurred at the couple's home in northern Virginia. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the murder-suicide.