Case overview

  • Victim: Mary B. Fairbairn, 57
  • Accused: Gregory Fairbairn, her 62-year-old husband
  • Location: The couple’s home on Lowell Road in Groton, Massachusetts
  • Date: October 19, 2019
  • Charges: Murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury
  • Context: Alleged domestic-violence homicide
  • Initial case status: Gregory Fairbairn was held without bail and ordered to undergo a competency evaluation.

Important wording: Unless a final disposition is confirmed through the current court docket, describe Gregory Fairbairn as “accused” or “charged,” not “convicted.”

Who was Mary Fairbairn?

Mary B. Fairbairn was born on August 24, 1962. She was a mother of two and had a long career in computer programming. According to her family’s memorial, she was the sole financial provider for her household.

Her family remembered her as outgoing, compassionate and funny, with a quick, sarcastic wit. She enjoyed learning about her children’s interests and was known for helping people without judging them. Neighbors also recalled her kindness and her love for the family’s dogs.

Mary was predeceased by her son, Conor. She was survived by a daughter and other relatives.

A Massachusetts memorial maintained through the Garden of Peace identifies her death as an act of domestic violence. Massachusetts Garden of Peace memorial

Events of October 19, 2019

At approximately 5:30 p.m., Gregory Fairbairn called authorities from the couple’s Groton home. Initial reports said that he described Mary as unresponsive.

When officers arrived, Gregory allegedly approached them outside while carrying or possessing a small knife. Authorities said that he appeared confused or incoherent and told officers that he had killed his wife. One account attributes the statement “Just put a bullet in me” to him.

Officers entered the home and found Mary in a bedroom. She had suffered numerous stab wounds and was pronounced dead.

An autopsy reportedly documented 27 stab wounds. Police recovered what was described in court as a three-inch pocketknife.

These details derive from statements attributed to police and prosecutors. They should be presented as allegations unless supported by admitted evidence or a final judgment.

The prosecution’s allegations

Prosecutors alleged that Gregory stabbed Mary repeatedly in their bedroom before contacting police.

According to reporting from his arraignment, Gregory allegedly told investigators that:

  • He used a small pocketknife.
  • He had looked at Mary’s phone shortly before the attack.
  • He saw unspecified “things” on it.
  • He had not taken prescribed psychiatric medication for approximately five months.

The phone claim appears to have come from Gregory’s account rather than an independently established motive. It should not be presented as proof that Mary had done anything wrong.

Mental-health and competency questions

During Gregory’s initial court appearance, a psychologist reportedly observed confusion, incomplete thoughts and possible memory problems. Gregory disclosed a history of bipolar disorder or depression and said he had stopped taking medication.

The court sent him to Bridgewater State Hospital for evaluation and ordered him held without bail.

Competency to stand trial is distinct from criminal responsibility:

  • Competency concerns whether a defendant presently understands the proceedings and can assist counsel.
  • Criminal responsibility concerns the defendant’s mental condition when the alleged offense occurred.
  • A psychiatric diagnosis alone does not establish either incompetency or a lack of criminal responsibility.

By August 2022, public reporting said the courts were still considering whether Gregory was competent to stand trial. I did not find a reliable indexed source confirming a subsequent trial, plea or final judgment, so the latest docket should be checked before publication.

The warning signs before Mary’s death

The story extends beyond what happened on October 19.

A 2022 WBUR investigation reported that Mary’s family had repeatedly expressed concerns about Gregory threatening her. Police were reportedly called to the couple’s home twice during the week before Mary was killed.

According to that reporting:

  • The calls concerned Mary’s welfare.
  • Officers did not arrest or remove anyone on either occasion.
  • Mary remained at the house with Gregory.
  • Mary’s sister, Ann Donahue, was among those who contacted police.
  • Donahue later questioned whether authorities had adequately protected Mary.

Those claims represent the family’s account and WBUR’s reporting. They do not, by themselves, establish legal negligence by the police.

Why the earlier police response remains unclear

Groton police did not publicly release complete reports concerning the earlier domestic-violence calls. The department cited Massachusetts confidentiality laws covering reports of domestic and sexual violence.

The law was intended to protect survivors’ privacy, but critics argued that its breadth could also:

  • Prevent relatives from understanding how police responded.
  • Obscure possible failures by public agencies.
  • Make patterns of abuse difficult to identify.
  • Shield alleged perpetrators from public scrutiny.
  • Frustrate independent reviews following a death.

Mary’s case subsequently became an important example in the debate over whether Massachusetts could protect survivors’ identities while permitting greater scrutiny of official responses.

Mary’s sister’s position

Ann Donahue publicly argued that Groton police had failed Mary. However, she did not accuse the officers of directly causing the killing. Her concern was that warning signs were reported and opportunities to protect Mary may have been missed.

Donahue also acknowledged the importance of survivor privacy. Her position was that privacy laws should not prevent families or independent reviewers from determining whether authorities followed proper procedures.