Episode 35: An Abuse of Power: Justice for Sandra Birchmore
Sandra Birchmore was 23 and pregnant, and found dead in her Canton, Massachusetts, apartment on February 1st, 2021. Her death was ruled a suicide, until her family continued to look into her death and hired a private pathologist. The pathologist determined it was a homicide and not a suicide. As the family dug deeper, it was determined that there was sexual misconduct and abuse of power by multiple people in the Stoughton police department when she was a minor.
At the age of 12, Sandra joined the police explorers program. This is where she met many people including, Matthew Farwell, his twin brother, William Farwell and the program director Robert Devin.
Matthew engaged inappropriate behavior with Sandra and it escalated to a sexual relationship when she was just shy of 16.
She had become pregnant in December of 2020 and indicated Matthew was the father. He didn’t seem as excited as Sandra was for the new baby.
On February 1st, 2021, Matthew is seen on video surveillance entering Sandra’s apartment at 9:12pm and leaving at 9:43pm. Sandra’s phone shows her last movements were at 9:40pm.
Matthew Farwell was arrested and federally indicted on charges of killing a witness or victim on August 27th 2024. He is awaiting trial.
The information presented in this episode is from sources from the most reliable accounts available on the web, including information on the Podcast Going West:
Going West Podcast: Episode 474
An article from University of Colorado - Boulder - College of communication, media, design and information:
https://www.colorado.edu/cmdi/news/2025/04/10/journalism-nakkula-award-crimaldi-boston-globe
Information off of Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Sandra_Birchmore
Press Release: United States Attorney’s Office - District of Massachusetts:
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-massachusetts-police-officer-arrested-connection-murder-young-woman
Article from NBC Boston:
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/sandra-birchmore-matthew-farwell-lawyer-death-penalty/3751780/?amp=1
Facebook: Justice for Sandra Birchmore group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/951589495851184
Stoughton Police Department Official Website:
https://stoughtonpolice.com/2024/06/24/statement-of-chief-donna-m-mcnamara/
Photos include: Two photos of Sandra Birchmore and a photo of support, demanding justice for Sandra.
