Honoring the life and Legacy of Dr. Cerina Fairfax

April 18, 2026

The Virginia League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Purple Runway, Equanimity Foundation, and the Prince William County Democrat Latino Caucus mourns the tragic and devastating loss of Dr. Cerina Fairfax, a remarkable woman, mother, and professional whose life was taken far too soon in an act of domestic violence.

Dr. Fairfax was an accomplished dental professional and community leader who earned her Bachelor of Science from Duke University and her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Virginia Commonwealth University. She went on to build a respected career as a dentist and served as Second Lady of Virginia from 2018 to 2022.

She was, by every measure, an extraordinary individual; dedicated to her profession, committed to her family, and deeply engaged in her community. Her loss is not only a personal tragedy for her loved ones, but a profound loss for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Reports confirm that Dr. Fairfax was killed in a domestic violence incident at her home, a tragedy that underscores the very real and urgent dangers many individuals, especially women, face behind closed doors. https://apnews.com/article/justin-fairfax-murder-suicide-political-career-deee87b0542d7b782c640825681a21b0

Today, we do more than mourn; we speak truth.

Across our nation, more than 1 in 3 women experience intimate partner violence. The numbers are even more alarming in our communities. https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

For Black women, the reality is even more severe, with over 40% will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. https://iwpr.org/violence-against-black-women-many-types-far-reaching-effects/

For Latina women, approximately 1 in 3 will face intimate partner violence during their lifetime. https://mujereslatinasenaccion.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

According to a statewide community needs survey conducted by Purple Runway, with the majority of respondents identifying as domestic violence survivors, the findings highlight significant gaps in support services. 76% reported a lack of accessible and affordable mental health resources, while 82% identified a lack of domestic violence prevention and support services, including shelter access, counseling, and transitional housing. These findings underscore the urgent need for stronger, more responsive systems of care for survivors.

These are not isolated tragedies. They reflect a systemic failure to protect women, especially women of color, whose voices are too often dismissed, minimized, or ignored until it is too late.

These are the cases we know and have recorded, but the reality is that many more go unreported, as fear, stigma, and lack of trust in systems prevent countless women from coming forward.

Far too often, women, especially Black and Latina women, are not believed. Their voices are dismissed. Their concerns are minimized. Their warnings go unheard until it is too late. Systems meant to protect them can be slow, inconsistent, or unresponsive. This is not an abstract issue; it is a lived reality in our communities.

As civil rights leader Dolores Huerta has shown through her lifetime of advocacy, the dignity and voice of women, especially women of color, must never be silenced or dismissed. Her recent decision to come forward after decades of silence reflects extraordinary courage and reinforces a powerful truth: truth and care must never be silenced, even in the service of a movement, a leader, or a legacy.

Dr. Cerina Fairfax’s death is a heartbreaking reminder that domestic violence does not discriminate by education, status, or achievement. Even the most accomplished women can be vulnerable when systems fail to act swiftly and decisively.

Virginia LULAC stands in solidarity with survivors of domestic violence and reaffirms the following:

• We must believe women, especially women of color

• We must strengthen systems of accountability and protection

• We must invest in prevention, intervention, and culturally competent support services

• We must ensure that no warning signs are ignored

• We must center victims, not perpetrators, and reject any impulse to justify, glorify, or excuse acts of violence

We also hold in our hearts Dr. Fairfax’s children and family, who now carry an unimaginable loss.

We remember Dr. Cerina Fairfax not for how her life ended; but for how she lived: with excellence, purpose, and impact.

We have lost a community hero.

May her memory be a call to action.

Virginia LULAC 

Equanimity Foundation

If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.

###

About Virginia LULAC:

Virginia LULAC is the state chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights advocacy organization. Our mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, housing, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.

Contact:

virginialulacofficial@gmail.com | valulac.org 

About Purple Runway:

Purple Runway is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to long term support for survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence. Through advocacy, education, and community-driven initiatives, the organization works to help individuals and families rebuild their lives with dignity, confidence, and long-term support. Purple Runway focuses on prevention, empowerment, and healing, creating pathways for survivors to move beyond crisis and thrive in safe, healthy environments.

About Equanimity Foundation:

The Equanimity Foundation (EQF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to inclusive, sustainable, and transformative global development. Its mission is to partner with underserved and vulnerable populations so they can thrive even in adverse conditions, while ensuring policy and aid efforts prioritize their needs. Through a holistic, human rights–focused approach, EQF delivers innovative, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed solutions designed to create lasting, systemic impact for marginalized communities.

Prince William County Democratic Latino Caucus:

The Prince William County Democratic Latino Caucus is an official caucus of the Prince William County Democratic Committee, dedicated to representing and advocating for the Latino community within the Democratic Party. Founded in 2024, the caucus works to elevate Latino voices, increase civic engagement, and strengthen political participation across Prince William County. Through outreach, advocacy, and community organizing, the caucus advances Democratic values while ensuring the needs, perspectives, and priorities of Latino residents are reflected in both policy and the electoral process.