PRINCETON, MA — A 67-year-old after-school program instructor died by apparent suicide as law enforcement officers attempted to serve a search warrant at his home on the evening of Jan. 8.
John Buffington, of Princeton, died in his garage as members of the Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crime Unit, the Massachusetts State Police S.T.O.P. TEAM, the U.S. Secret Service Cyber Task Force and officers from the Princeton Police Department announced themselves at his door to serve the warrant.
The search warrant, secured through Worcester District Court, authorized a search for evidence of child sexual abuse material following tips from an electronic service provider to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Princeton and Sterling Fire and EMS responded to the scene and pronounced Buffington deceased.
The State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office was notified of the apparent suicide by firearm.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the final cause of death.
Upon entering the home, law enforcement officers found evidence of child sexual abuse material.
Officers also located sexually explicit material that involved pictures of at least one child who was known to Buffington.
Buffington had been working with the Town of Princeton Recreation Department through an after-school program, serving as an instructor for classes in woodworking, primitive skills and kite-making.
A subsequent investigation revealed that Buffington previously worked in Lincoln in an after-school program until 2014.
At this time, there is no apparent evidence that any child Buffington encountered has been harmed, according to police.
The Massachusetts State Police, the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office will be working with local, state and federal partners to determine the scope of Buffington’s activities.
Families who have concerns about their child’s interaction with Buffington in Princeton should contact the Children’s Advocacy Center of Worcester County at 774-317-2132.
Parents whose children may have had interactions of concern with Buffington during his time in Lincoln should contact the Middlesex Children’s Advocacy Center at 781-897-8400.
