• Early 2000
  Robert C. Devine, then deputy chief of Stoughton, establishes and leads the Stoughton Police Explorers Program.
• 2005 (Age 8)
  Sandra Birchmore attends the Respect Program.
• 2006 (Age 9)
  Sandra participates in a 14-week  Strengthening Program for high-risk families.
• March 2010 (Age 12)
  Sandra attempts to join the Youth Explorers Program but is placed on the stand-by list.
• Spring 2010 (Age 12)
  Sandra officially begins participating in the Youth Explorers Program.
• Robert Devine brings in former Explorers and Stoughton High School graduates, twin brothers Matthew Farwell and William Farwell, as guest instructors.
• 2011 (Age 13-14)
  Sandra, as a high school freshman, begins meeting with Matthew Farwell at the library for homework assistance.
• October 28, 2012
  Matthew Farwell sends Sandra a Facebook “friend request.”
• Farwell and Devine Connection
  Matthew (“Matt”) and William (“Billy”) Farwell, former Stoughton High School students, previously participated in the same Stoughton Police Explorers Program under Robert Devine 12 years earlier, before becoming guest instructors.
• 2013
  Matthew Sandra began using a journal describing her relationship with Farwell. Matthew Farwell reportedly began an inappropriate physical relationship with Sandra Birchmore when she was 15, which is considered statutory rape under Massachusetts law. Birchmore’s journal entries from 2013 detail a continuous and sometimes violent sexual relationship with Farwell. Birchmore often journal about Matthew Farwell using sex acts to punish her. According to her journal entries, Matthew Farwell would engage in forceful sex acts to punish her for her mistakes such as getting bad grades and failing to share her cell phone location with him.
  

February 1, 2021: 

• 12:19 PM Birchmore sent Matthew Farwell text messages indicating that she was going to be released early (at 12:35 p.m.) from her job at the Sharon Public Schools. Matthew Farwell told her that he would not be in the area that day.
• 12:35 PM: School Released Early, Once home Sandra Birchmore ordered baby items. She used her computer,
• 1:25p.m. She planned for newborn baby photos, an official pregnancy announcement, which she planned to do on Valentine’s Day, as well as a gender reveal. She also made plans for her more immediate future, scheduling an OBGYN appointment for February 10, 2021, has a load of wet clothes in the washing machine and another load dry in the dryer.
• 1:31 PM booking a newborn photography shoot
• 5:01 p.m., Sandra received a DoorDash order, and then went outside
• 5:31 p.m, Sandra going outside with a snow brush
• 5:33 p.m Sandra returning with a snow brush and its The last time Birchmore is seen alive on the video is on February 1, 2021, at 5:33 p.m.
• 7:57 p.m. Birchmore texted a friend to obtain baby clothes from her
• 8:25 p.m Birchmore performed a Google search for “Cubby Kids” furniture
  
• Sandra was doing laundry – she the key, Matthew Farwell phone.
• 9:00 PM Sandra spoke with a coworker asking to help shovel out her car during the impending snowstorm.
• 9:03 PM that evening, she sent a message via Snapchat to inquire about a work schedule.
• 9:08 p.m Matthew Farwell sent Birchmore a text message asking whether he could “come by for a second.”
• 9:10 p.m., Birchmore sent Matthew Farwell a text message indicating that when he arrived at her apartment, the door would be open for him. This is the last known outgoing message sent from Sandra’s cell phone.
• 9:13 PM Sandra sent a final text message to Matthew Farwell stating that the door was unlocked
• 9:14 PM, Matthew Farwell was seen entering Sandra’s apartment building.
• 9:28 PM Sandra’s coworker replied to the Snapchat message at 9:28 PM, but Sandra did not open the message.
• 9:43 PM Matthew Farwell was seen exiting Sandra’s lobby at 9:43 PM

February 4, 2021, 

School officials contacted the School Resource Officer to check on Sandra Birchmore, who had missed a few days of work. Officers Cotard, Brady, and Yeaton responded to 3307 Windsor Woods Way to make contact with Sandra. When they arrived, no one answered the door.

• 10:00 AM – school officials contacted the School Resource Officer to check on Sandra Birchmore, who had missed a few days of work.
• 10:30 AM – Officers Cotard, Brady, and Yeaton responded to 3307 Windsor Woods Way to make contact with Sandra. When they arrived, no one answered the door. Sandra’s vehicle was in the apartment complex parking lot, covered in snow and had not been moved since the snowfall on Monday, 2/1/21.
• 10:45 AM – While assisting SRO Brady, officers spoke with Canton Woods Property Manager Erin Porter and confirmed that Sandra Birchmore resided in apartment #3307. Ms. Porter stated she had not seen or heard from Sandra in several days. She also mentioned that another resident had expressed concern regarding Sandra’s absence. At officers’ request, Ms. Porter attempted to contact Sandra using the phone number on file but was unsuccessful both calls went directly to voicemail. Officers advised Ms. Porter that they would attempt to make contact with Sandra at her apartment directly. Property manager, who provided a key to access the apartment.
• 11:00 AM – Sandra’s vehicle was in the apartment complex parking lot, covered in snow and had not been moved since the snowfall on Monday, February 1, 2021. Property manager, who provided a key to access the apartment.
• 11:46 AM, Officers found Sandra in the bedroom, deceased with a black strap around her neck, tied to the bedroom closet door. Sandra was 10 weeks pregnant and The cause of death was determined to be suicide.  Report  Updated Report p104
• 12:44 PM ME’s office accepted jurisdiction Case #2021-2032 assigned.  Report
• Property Manager Provided Access to the  Video from the apartment complex that showed a man entering the lobby of Sandra’s building. Detectives learned from maintenance worker Michael that the person in the video looked like the man who helped Sandra move into her apartment. It was later revealed that Sandra had been victimized by three police officers who were part of the Explorer program and the man in the video was Detective Matthew Farwell

Thursday, February 4, 2021 (The report incorrectly lists this date as Thursday, February 6, 2021)

• Officer Ensley Cotard was working in the capacity of the School Resource Officer (SRO) at Canton High School.

9:45 a.m.

• Officer Cotard was contacted directly via cell phone by Sharon Police Officer Michael Hocking, the SRO for Sharon Public Schools.
• Officer Hocking requested assistance performing a well-being check on a female staff member of Sharon Public Schools who had not been arriving to work and had not been seen or heard from in several days.
• Officer Hocking advised that Sandra Marie Birchmore worked as an Instructional Assistant at East Middle School in Sharon.
• School administration contacted Officer Hocking because Ms. Birchmore had not come to work in days, was not responding to contact attempts, and they could not get in touch with the emergency contact listed in her file.
• The last known address Officer Hocking had for Ms. Birchmore was 3 Windsor Woods Lane in Canton, Canton Woods Apartments.
• Officer Cotard asked whether a specific apartment number was known.
• Officer Hocking responded in the negative.
• This was all the information Officer Hocking was able to provide regarding Ms. Birchmore.
• Officer Cotard advised Officer Hocking that he would go to the Canton Woods leasing office to attempt to verify whether Ms. Birchmore was a resident.
• If confirmed, he would conduct a well-being check at the residence.
• Officer Cotard contacted Sgt. Michael Lank and advised him of the information received and that he would be responding to Canton Woods.

10:45 a.m.

• Officer Cotard and assisting SRO Officer Brady spoke with Canton Woods Property Manager Erin Porter.
• Ms. Porter confirmed that Ms. Birchmore was a resident in apartment number 3307.
• Officers asked Ms. Porter if she had seen or spoken with Ms. Birchmore recently.
• Ms. Porter advised that she had not seen or heard from her in several days.
• Ms. Porter stated that someone within the building had asked her if she could try to contact Ms. Birchmore using the contact number on file.
• Ms. Porter attempted two times to contact Ms. Birchmore’s cell phone.
• Both calls went directly to voicemail.
• Officer Cotard advised Ms. Porter that they would attempt to make contact with Ms. Birchmore at her apartment.

11:00 a.m.

• Officer Cotard and Officer Brady knocked and announced their presence at Ms. Birchmore’s apartment door for several minutes.
• No response was received.
• Officer Cotard contacted Sgt. Lank and advised him of the current situation.
• Sgt. Lank instructed them to attempt to locate Ms. Birchmore’s vehicle in the parking lot and, if located, to make entry into the apartment.
• Sgt. Lank advised them to look for the following vehicle:
• Massachusetts Registration: 1YGB66
• Year: 2018
• Make: Chevrolet
• Model: Cruze
• Body Type: Sedan
• Color: Blue
• Officer Cotard located the vehicle outside of Building 3.
• He radioed dispatch advising that the vehicle had been located.
• Officers visually inspected the vehicle.
• Snow was still on and around the vehicle and appeared undisturbed.
• The last snowfall occurred Monday, February 1, 2021 into Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
• Ms. Birchmore’s Sharon Public Schools identification card was observed hanging from the rear-view mirror, displaying her name and photograph.

Shortly After

• Officer Cotard requested a uniformed officer respond to the scene.
• Keys to the apartment were obtained from Ms. Porter.
• Officer Yeaton arrived on scene.
• Officers returned to Ms. Birchmore’s apartment, unit 3307.
• Officers again knocked and announced their presence at the door several times.
• No response was received.

Apartment Entry

• Using the key, all officers on scene made entry into the apartment.
• The apartment was immediately observed to be disheveled and unkept.
• Two house cats were running around the apartment.
• Officer Cotard first entered the bathroom.
• The bathroom door was open.
• The lights were off.
• The area was rendered safe.
• Officer Cotard then entered the bedroom.
• The bedroom door was closed.
• The lights were off.
• Upon opening the door, he observed:
• Ms. Birchmore seated on the floor.
• A belt, lanyard, string, or rope secured tightly around her neck.
• The ligature was secured to the handle of the bedroom closet door.
• Ms. Birchmore was deceased.
• It was immediately apparent to Officer Cotard that Ms. Birchmore was deceased.
• Lividity was observed about the skin and face.
• Rigor mortis was observed in the body’s extremities.
• Officer Cotard observed a large pooling of dried blood around Ms. Birchmore’s mouth.
• After locating the body, Officer Cotard exited the bedroom.

Immediately After Discovery

• Officer Yeaton contacted the Canton Police Station and advised of the discovery.
• Sgt. Lank and Detective Jonathan McCourt instructed officers to exit the apartment and secure the scene for processing.
• Sgt. Lank requested that the following respond to the scene:
• Medical Examiner’s Office
• Massachusetts State Police CPAC
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Sgt. Lank and Detective McCourt arrived on scene and entered the apartment.
• Trooper Kevin Tufts, Trooper Matt Dunn, and Kevin Clark arrived a short time later to begin processing the scene.
• Officer Cotard cleared from the scene a short time afterward.

Notifications and Follow-Up

• Officer Cotard contacted Officer Hocking via cell phone and advised him of the discovery.
• Officer Hocking stated that he would pass the information along to school administration once next of kin had been notified.
• Officer Hocking advised that Ms. Birchmore had previously been a staff member and teacher with Stoughton Public Schools.
• He stated that he had contacted Officer Sheanna Isabelle, the SRO for Stoughton Public Schools, earlier to obtain contact information for Ms. Birchmore before contacting Officer Cotard.
• Officer Cotard advised Officer Hocking that he would reach out to Officer Isabelle for additional information.

Contact with Officer Sheanna Isabelle

• Officer Cotard contacted and spoke with Officer Isabelle via cell phone.
• He advised her of the situation.
• Officer Isabelle stated that she was very familiar with Ms. Birchmore.
• She advised that Ms. Birchmore was a former graduate of and employee at Stoughton High School.
• Officer Isabelle stated that Stoughton Patrol Officers had previously responded to Ms. Birchmore’s former address on Avenue Street in Stoughton.
• Officer Isabelle advised that Ms. Birchmore’s mother and grandmother had recently passed away.
• Officer Isabelle stated that Ms. Birchmore’s aunt, Darlene Smith, would be a good person to contact as next of kin.
• Officer Cotard thanked Officer Isabelle for the information.
• He advised her that he would contact her once next of kin had been notified so that she could notify Stoughton Public Schools administration.

Thursday, February 4, 2021 Initial Arrival at Canton Woods Apartments

• Officer Yeaton was greeted in the lobby entrance by:
• Officer Mike Brady
• Officer Ensley Cotard
• Property Manager Erin Porter:
• Erin Porter provided a key to gain entrance to apartment 3307 at Windsor Woods Way, Canton.
• The call originated as a well-being check from Sharon Public Schools.
• Sharon Public Schools contacted Sharon Police Officer Mike Hocking.
• Birchmore, Sandra Marie, had not shown up for work or called in sick for several days.

Apartment Entry and Initial Observations

• Officer Cotard and Officer Yeaton entered the dwelling.
• Two cats were observed inside the apartment.
• The apartment was cluttered and unkept.
• The bedroom door was closed.
• Officer Cotard opened the bedroom door.
• A young female was observed seated on the floor.
• A scarf was around her neck.
• The scarf was tightly affixed to the bedroom closet door handle.
• Due to discoloration of the skin (blue) and lividity, it appeared the female had been there for a long period of time.

Scene Secured and Notifications Initiated

• Sgt. Mike Lank, the shift supervisor, radioed to secure the scene immediately while en route to the residence.
• Sgt. Lank directed officers to secure the scene.
• The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office (C.P.A.C.) was notified.
• C.P.A.C. advised they would be responding to the residence.

Arrival of Supervisors and Command Staff

• Sgt. Lank and Detective Jonathan McCourt arrived a short time later.
• Officer Brady, Officer Cotard, and Officer Yeaton remained outside the apartment.
• Sgt. Lank and Detective McCourt entered the apartment.
• They entered in an attempt to gather information and properly identify the victim.

Fire and EMS Response

• Sgt. Lank requested Canton Fire and EMS respond to the location.
• Firefighter and Paramedic Daniel Whitley arrived.
• Daniel Whitley pronounced Sandra Birchmore deceased at 11:46 a.m.
• No life-saving measures were taken.

Crime Scene Processing Begins

• Trooper Mike Dunn from the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office (C.P.A.C.) arrived on scene.
• Trooper Zach Clark from Crime Scene Services arrived on scene.
• Troopers began processing and photographing the scene.

12:44 p.m. – Medical Examiner Notification

• Officer Yeaton received a call from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Medical Examiner.
• He spoke with Intake Specialist Mercedes Robinson.
• After gathering pertinent information, the Medical Examiner’s Office accepted jurisdiction.
• The Medical Examiner’s Office advised they would be responding.
• Case number 2021-2032 was assigned.

Next of Kin Notification Efforts

• Trooper Dunn requested that next of kin be contacted and respond to the residence for questioning.
• The Stoughton Police Department was notified and assisted with making contact.
• Darlene Smith, the aunt of the deceased, was not home when Stoughton Police attempted notification.
• Darlene Smith contacted Canton Police moments later by phone.
• She was notified of the death by Officer Nix.
• Smith was in New Hampshire and unable to respond to the scene.
• Her contact information was provided to Trooper Dunn.

Surveillance Video Review

• Sgt. Lank accessed video footage with assistance from property management.
• The victim was last seen on camera entering the building on:
• Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 4:41 p.m.

Thursday, February 4, 2021

11:09 a.m. – Detective Response

• Detective Jonathan McCourt responded to 3307 Canton Woods for a well-being check of a female party, later identified as Birchmore, Sandra Marie. Upon arrival, Detective McCourt spoke with the first responding officers on scene:
• Officer Charles Yeaton
• Officer Ensley Cotard
• Officer Mike Brady
• Detective McCourt was informed that the party was deceased and had hanged herself.
• Detective McCourt instructed the officers to wait outside the apartment while he made entry.

Initial Bedroom Observations

• Birchmore was located in the bedroom in a seated position on the floor.
• A dark-colored strap was around her neck.
• The strap was tied to the handle of the bedroom closet door.
• Obvious signs of lividity had set in Birchmore’s face, hands, and abdominal area.
• There was no visible trauma to the head.
• There were no defensive abrasions on the hands.
• The bedroom and the apartment were unorganized and unkept.
• No signs of a struggle were observed in the bedroom or the apartment.
• On the kitchen counter, in plain view:
• A sonogram with Sandra’s name printed on it. (redacted in report)

Notifications and Supervisory Arrival

• Sgt. Michael Lank arrived shortly after Detective McCourt’s arrival.
• The following were notified:
• Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office (C.P.A.C.)
• Medical Examiner’s Office
• Canton Fire Department

Fire and EMS Response

• Canton Firefighter Daniel Whitley arrived on scene.
• FF Whitley pronounced Birchmore deceased.
• FF Whitley informed Detective McCourt that he believed Birchmore had been deceased for a few days.

Crime Scene Processing

• Trooper Matt Dunn and Trooper Kevin Tufts arrived from C.P.A.C.
• Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services responded.
• Troopers processed and photographed the scene.

Medical Examiner Custody

• After troopers finished processing:
• Chris Adams of the Medical Examiner’s Office
• Caitlyn Bulger of the Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the body.

Post-Removal Actions

• After the body was removed and C.P.A.C. and the Medical Examiner’s Office cleared:
• Detective McCourt located additional items in the bedroom closet inside a cardboard box.
• Prior to clearing the scene:
• Officer Brady and Detective McCourt had Animal Control take custody of the two cats in the apartment.
• Officer Brady locked the apartment door once the scene was cleared.

Inside-the-Apartment Report

General Apartment Layout and Condition

• The apartment contained two cats.
• The conditions were cluttered and unkept.
• Upon entry:
• A kitchenette was immediately to the left.
• A living room area was directly in front of the entrance.
• A short hallway led directly to the bathroom.
• The single bedroom was to the left side of the hallway.

Kitchenette Observations

• Countertops were almost entirely covered with personal items, including:
• Postal correspondence
• Junk mail
• Medication
• Trash
• An ultrasound photograph with Birchmore’s name and date of birth printed on it

Living Room Observations

• The living room area was cluttered and unkept.
• Trash and clumps of cat fur were observed on the carpet, indicating it had not been cleaned or vacuumed in some time.
• Debris, trash, and personal effects were on virtually every horizontal surface.
• Furniture and items observed:
• Two glass end tables
• A dining room table
• A glass coffee table
• A couch
• A television stand with a television
• A nook area contained:
• Two recliners side by side
• Both recliners were covered on top and in front with personal effects and boxes.

Bedroom Observations

• The bedroom door was closed.
• When opened:
• A desk lamp was turned on.
• Colored Christmas lights around the window were turned on.
• The bedroom was cluttered and untidy in the same manner as the kitchenette and living room.
• Items covered:
• A desk
• A plastic storage table with drawers
• The bed was unmade.
• A sheet was over the mattress.
• The box spring was exposed.
• Sandra’s eyeglasses were found on top of the bed.
• A U.S. Army ACU-pattern duffel bag was among the scattered items in the bedroom.

Body Position and Condition

• Sandra Birchmore was discovered in a seated position on the floor.
• A scarf was tightly affixed around her neck.
• The scarf was secured to the closet door handle.
• Another officer noted the strap was tied to the bedroom closet door handle.
• There were no visible signs of trauma to the head.
• There were no defensive abrasions on her hands.
• Officer Ensley Cotard observed a large pooling of dried blood around her mouth.
• Skin discoloration (blue) and lividity indicated she had been deceased for an extended period.

Clothing and Personal Effects

• Sandra Birchmore was wearing the same clothing she wore when seen on video entering her apartment on:
• Monday, February 1, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
• Sandra’s cell phone was located on the floor:
• Approximately 12 inches from her right hand
• Approximately 6 inches from her bent right knee.

Responding Personnel

Canton Police Department

• Officer Ensley Cotard
• Officer Mike Brady
• Officer Charles Yeaton
• Sgt. Michael Lank
• Detective Jonathan McCourt

Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office (C.P.A.C.)

• Trooper Kevin Tufts
• Trooper Matt Dunn

Medical Examiner’s Office

• Chris Adams
• Caitlyn Bulger

Body Position and Condition:

• Sandra was found seated on the floor, with a scarf or strap tightly wrapped around her neck and secured to the bedroom closet door handle.
• Reports vary: some refer to it as a scarf, others a strap.
• No visible signs of head trauma or defensive wounds on her hands were observed but Officer Ensley Cotard noted a large pool of dried blood around her mouth.
• Lividity and blue skin discoloration indicated she had been deceased for an extended period.
• Birchmore’s cell phone was on the floor, approximately 12 inches from her right hand and 6 inches from her right knee.
• She was wearing the same clothing seen on surveillance footage from February 1, 2021, at 5:33 p.m., when she entered her apartment.
• Chris Adams and Caitlyn Bulger of the Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the body.

Official Findings:

• State Police Trooper Matthew Dunne reported:
• No signs of physical abuse, bruising, swelling, or external trauma.
• No indications of struggle observed.
• Chris Adams and Caitlyn Bulger (Medical Examiner’s Office) took custody of the body.
• A sexual assault kit was completed:
• Included swabs, hair and fingernail clippings, and clothing.
• Dr. Michael Baden later noted that it “appears” the evidence was not tested.
• Toxicology report showed presence of Sertraline, an antidepressant.

Additional Evidence Found by Family:

• Family members later discovered a broken gold necklace with a pink flamingo charm on the bedroom floor.
• The chain was broken, not at the clasp, and contained a large clump of hair.
• Crime scene photos showed:
• The necklace was still partially around Sandra’s neck.
• The broken chain hung to the left side of her neck.
• The flamingo charm lay on the right side of her abdomen.

Sergeant: Mike Lank Canton Police Department

Thursday, February 4, 2021, after discovery of the body

• Sergeant Mike Lank responded to Sandra Birchmore’s apartment after her body was discovered.
• Sergeant Lank was present at the apartment when Massachusetts State Police arrived.
• Sergeant Lank spoke with Trooper Matthew Dunne regarding the welfare check and discovery.

Sergeant Lank advised Dunne that:

• Canton patrol officers had responded to conduct a welfare check.
• Birchmore had not reported to work for several days.
• Attempts to reach Birchmore by phone were unsuccessful.
• Officers made entry into the apartment using a key obtained from property management.
• Birchmore had been located deceased, seated on the floor of the bedroom.

Trooper: Matthew Dunne #3943 – Massachusetts State Police

Norfolk County State Police Detective Unit

Thursday, February 4, 2021, approx. 11:45 a.m.

• Trooper Matthew Dunne was notified by the Norfolk SPDU desk officer that Canton Police officers and detectives were on scene in Canton investigating the apparent suicide death of an adult female resident.
• Dunne contacted Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services.
• Dunne notified Trooper Kevin Tufts #4054, who was newly assigned to the unit and undergoing training.
• Dunne and Tufts proceeded to the apartment.

Upon Arrival at the Apartment

• Dunne spoke with Sergeant Mike Lank and Detective Jonathan McCourt.
• Dunne learned that:
• Birchmore was an employee of the Sharon school system.
• Birchmore had not shown up for work for several days.
• Attempts to reach Birchmore by phone had been unsuccessful.
• Canton Police officers had made entry using a key from property management.
• Birchmore had been located deceased, seated on the floor of the bedroom.

Crime Scene Observation:

• Dunne observed Sandra Birchmore’s eyeglasses resting on top of the bed.
• Among the scattered items inside the bedroom, Dunne observed a U.S. Army ACU-pattern duffle bag.
• After concluding his examination of the apartment, Dunne stated that he noted nothing suspicious and no sign of a struggle having taken place. Despite the clutter, he stated that all items appeared to be in their intended locations and that no items appeared to have been knocked over or strewn about in an unintended manner.
• He further observed that the walls showed no signs of scuff marks or indentations. He noted that no drag marks were visible on the floor or carpeting.

Sandra’s Body:

• Dunne then proceeded to where Birchmore had been found seated on the bedroom floor.
• He observed Birchmore’s cell phone on the floor. He documented its location as approximately:
• 12 inches from her right hand
• 6 inches from her right knee
• Dunne examined Birchmore for any indications of physical abuse. He stated that he looked for grab marks, scratches, markings consistent with being struck, and apparent defensive wounds. He noted that he observed none.
• He further documented that he observed no bruising, no swelling, and no external trauma.
• He also noted that he observed no markings on the neck to indicate an attempt or struggle to loosen or remove a ligature.

Crime Scene Services

• Trooper Zach Clark #4097 from Crime Scene Services documented the victim and apartment interior using digital photographs. Birchmore’s body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Dunne noted that the cause and manner of death were pending further study.

February 5, 2021

• 11:15 a.m. Trooper Dunne and Trooper Tufts proceeded to East Elementary School in Sharon, Massachusetts, to speak with Birchmore’s supervisors and coworkers.
• They conducted multiple interviews with school staff members regarding Birchmore’s behavior, job performance, mental state, and personal disclosures. During these interviews, Dunne documented that:
• Birchmore had overshared personal information with coworkers.
• Birchmore told coworkers she was dating a police officer who was approximately 10 or 11 years older than her?
• Birchmore told coworkers her boyfriend already had children.
• Birchmore told coworkers she was pregnant.
• Birchmore told coworkers she wanted to get pregnant with her boyfriend and that he had finally agreed.
• Birchmore told coworkers she had seen her boyfriend’s ex-partner in public.
• Birchmore told coworkers she wanted the father of the baby to sign the birth certificate.
• Dunne documented that none of the interviewed school staff reported observing signs of abuse or hearing Birchmore express fear of her boyfriend.

Emergency Contact Interview

• Later on February 5, 2021, Trooper Dunne and Trooper Tufts conducted a phone interview with Birchmore’s emergency contact. The emergency contact stated that:
• Birchmore lived with her in Stoughton until approximately November 14, 2020.
• Birchmore moved into her Canton apartment at that time.
• Birchmore’s mother had died in 2016.
• Birchmore’s emotional state changed after multiple family deaths.
• Birchmore was pregnant.
• The father of the baby was Matthew Farwell.
• Birchmore and Farwell had been arguing about him signing the baby’s birth certificate.
• The emergency contact stated she was not aware of any abuse between Birchmore and Farwell.

Trooper Kevin Tufts #4054 – Massachusetts State Police

Thursday, February 4, 2021

• Trooper Kevin Tufts was newly assigned to the Norfolk County State Police Detective Unit and was undergoing training at the time of Sandra Birchmore’s death.
• Tufts was notified by Trooper Matthew Dunne and asked to respond to the Canton Woods apartment complex.
• Tufts accompanied Dunne to the scene and was present during the walkthrough of Birchmore’s apartment.
• Tufts observed the interior of the apartment, the condition of the rooms, and Birchmore’s body in the bedroom.
• Tufts assisted Dunne throughout the crime-scene response and remained on scene during photographic documentation by Crime Scene Services.

Trooper Zach Clark #4097 – Massachusetts State Police

Crime Scene Services

Thursday, February 4, 2021

• Trooper Zach Clark responded to Sandra Birchmore’s apartment as a member of Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services.
• Clark documented the victim using digital photographs.
• Clark documented the apartment interior using digital photographs.
• Clark completed photographic documentation of the scene prior to the transport of Birchmore’s body to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

February 1, 2021 – Cell Phone

Sandra’ cell phone was on the floor located approximately 12 inches from her right hand and 6 inches from her bent right knee. 9:18 PM Phone was locked, Sandra Birchmore’s phone recorded a screenshot of a black screen. In other words, after sending a final text message to Matthew Farwell to tell him the door was unlocked, Birchmore’s phone locked and was not unlocked until after the device was recovered by police.

• 12:19 p.m., Birchmore sent Matthew Farwell text messages indicating that she was going to be released early at 12:35 p.m. from her job at the Sharon Public Schools. Matthew Farwell told her that he would not be in the area that day.
• 7:57 p.m. Birchmore texted a friend to obtain baby clothes from her
• 9:00 PM Sandra spoke with a coworker on the phone.
• 9:03 PM that evening, she sent a message via Snapchat to inquire about a work schedule.
• 9:08 p.m Matthew Farwell sent Birchmore a text message asking whether he could “come by for a second.”
• 9:10 p.m., Sandra Birchmore sent Matthew Farwell a text message indicating that when he arrived at her apartment, the door would be open for him. This is the last known outgoing message sent from Sandra’s cell phone.
• 9:13 p.m Sandra’s phone was locked
• 9:14 PM Surveillance footage showed Matthew Farwell entering 3307 Windsor Woods Way
• 9:28 PM The Coworker replied to Sandra, but she never opened a message, which was unusual for Sandra not to open.
• 9:40 p.m Sandra’s phone registered Video
• Massachusetts State Police detectives interviewed Matthew Farwell. The interview occurred in the parking lot of a Stoughton elementary school. During this interview, Farwell made several false statements about his relationship with Birchmore. Farwell told officers that he was involved in a sexual relationship with Sandra Birchmore, but he claimed the relationship only began in 2020. Based on this investigation, Farwell’s statement to detectives was false. Matthew Farwell began having sex with Birchmore in 2013 and continued to have sex with her until near her death.
• Canton PD and MSP conducted a second search of Ms. Birchmore’s apartment.

February 11, 2021.

Underscores need to examine Farwell’s actions within this narrow time window.

Key Insight – 9:40 p.m. Movement

• The eight recorded steps at 9:40 p.m. are:
• The final sign of life or movement involving Sandra or her device.
• Occurred just minutes before Farwell exited the apartment building.
• Their timing raises critical questions about what transpired in those final moments.

Note:  These recorded steps occurred while Matthew Farwell was still in Sandra Birchmore’s apartment. This data indicates that the mechanism that Apple uses to record movement registered eight steps at approximately 9:40 p.m.The phone recorded no additional steps between 9:40 p.m. and the time it was recovered by first responders on February 4, 2021.

February 2, 2021

After leaving Sandra, Matthew Farwell drove to Newton-Wellesley Hospital, situated in a wealthy suburb 12 miles outside of Boston. It was at this hospital, on February 2nd, 2021, at 9:25 a.m., that Michelle Farwell gave birth to a son.

Surveillance footage from Birchmore’s apartment complex captured Matthew Farwell entering her building and exiting 28 minutes later. Afterward, Farwell drove to Newton-Welles Hospital, located 12 miles outside of Boston. At this hospital, on February 2, 2021, at 9:25 a.m., Michelle Farwell gave birth to their son.

February 5, 2021

• Canton PD Sergeant received an e-mail from a witness who related she had information regarding Sandra Birchmore’s death.This information was passed to MSP for action.
• Sandra Birchmore’s aunt, stated she was aware that Sandra was pregnant and that the father of the baby was Stoughton Police Officer Matthew Farwell.

February 6, 2021

• Canton PD detectives conducted follow-up investigation at Windsor Woods and interviewed a witness who advised Canton PD detectives that Ms. Birchmore was involved in an intimate relationship with a police officer, who was alleged to be the father of her unborn child.
• Canton PD detectives received information from a second witness who said Ms. Birchmore had been dating a police officer, who did not want the baby, and if Ms. Birchmore did not get an abortion, he  would take care of the problem himself.
• Canton PD and MSP coordinated a second review of video footage at Windsor Woods. After the review of video footage investigators identified a male subject, (later identified as Stoughton Police Detective Matthew Farwell) arrive at Windsor Woods on February 1, 2021, at 9:27 p.m. and departed at 9:56 p.m. Mr. Farwell was observed entering the apartment complex lobby and entering 2025 On-Site Audit of the Canton Police Department Page 101 the elevator. Video revealed Mr. Farwell was at Windsor Woods for approximately 28 minutes. Video revealed Mr. Farwell was at Windsor Woods for approximately 28 minutes. See  Video
• Massachusetts State Police detectives interviewed Matthew Farwell. The interview occurred in the parking lot of a Stoughton elementary school. During this interview, Farwell made several false statements about his relationship with Birchmore. Farwell told officers that he was involved in a sexual relationship with Sandra Birchmore, but he claimed the relationship only began in 2020. Based on this investigation, Farwell’s statement to detectives was false. Matthew Farwell began having sex with Birchmore in 2013 and continued to have sex with her until near her death.
• Canton PD and MSP conducted a second search of Ms. Birchmore’s apartment.

February 11, 2021

• William Farwell was interviewed by the Massachusetts State Police as part of the Sandra Birchmore death investigation. During the interview, Willian Farwell stated that he first met Sandra “about ten years earlier” when she was in the “Explorer” program and he was a guest instructor. In 2018, while he was assigned to a paid detail, Sandra approached him, and they began to talk about her interest in joining the Army. Farwell put her in touch with an Army recruiter, and Sandra began to contact him regularly. William Farwell admitted during his State Police interview that he and Sandra had relationships going back about two years.

May 21, 2021:

The Medical Examiner’s written autopsy report noted that Birchmore’s hyoid bone (a U-shaped bone at the front of the neck) was fractured on the right side and that she suffered from petechial hemorrhages of the bulbar and palpebral conjunctivae. Additionally, the Medical Examiner concluded that Birchmore had a hemorrhage of her left sternothyroid muscle. Killed herself by hanging, according to her  death certificate

• Initial Ruling vs. Federal Findings: While the Massachusetts state medical examiner’s office initially ruled the death a suicide by hanging in May 2021, federal investigators later charged former Stoughton Police Detective Matthew Farwell with her murder, alleging he staged the scene to look like a suicide.
• Broken Necklace: A gold chain with a flamingo charm that Birchmore frequently wore was found broken around her neck, with the necklace broken in the middle rather than at the clasp. A clump of hair was also caught in the chain, which experts cited as evidence of a violent struggle.
• Nasal Abrasions and Suffocation: Forensic expert Dr. William Smock, reviewing the case for federal prosecutors, identified areas of skin missing from the inferior and lateral aspects of her nose. These abrasions are commonly seen in cases of suffocation when the victim moves their nose back and forth in an effort to breathe.
• Other Injuries: Dr. Smock and other forensic experts (such as Dr. Michael Baden) found a fractured hyoid bone in her neck an injury more commonly associated with strangulation than hanging and a “pattern imprint” on her chest consistent with a buckle being forced into her body.
• Cause of Death: Based on this evidence, experts concluded that the cause of death was homicide via strangulation.

First Autopsy

First Autopsy was performed by  Maria Del Mar Capo Martinez, MD.

May 2021, The Medical Examiner’s written autopsy report noted that Birchmore’s hyoid bone (a U-shaped bone at the front of the neck) was fractured on the right side and that she suffered from petechial hemorrhages of the bulbar and palpebral conjunctivae. Additionally, the Medical Examiner concluded that Birchmore had a hemorrhage of her left sternothyroid muscle.

• Sandra Birchmore killed herself by hanging, according to her  death certificate
• The Medical Examiner determined that Birchmore’s cause of death was asphyxia by hanging.
• The Medical Examiner ruled Birchmore’s manner of death a suicide.
• The Medical Examiner’s autopsy report further confirmed that Birchmore was approximately 8 to 10 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.
• The autopsy included toxicology testing. The results of the toxicology tests were negative for all substances except for sertraline, which was likely explained by the antidepressants Birchmore had been prescribed.

Second Autopsy

Former NY City medical examiner Dr. Michael Baden in a June 18 letter to a lawyer for Birchmore’s estate wrote. 

“Ms. Birchmore did not die of suicidal hanging … The cause of Ms. Birchmore’s death is ‘Strangulation’ and the manner of death is ‘Homicide.’”

Baden said the extent of Birchmore’s injuries, as well as the placement of a ligature found on her body, were among the reasons for his determination.

He noted that Birchmore had suffered a fracture to a small U-shape bone in the neck, known as the hyoid bone, which fractures “rarely, if at all, in suicidal hanging” but does in “half of homicidal strangulation of women.”

The three Stoughton police officers:

• Matthew Farwell, his brother William Farwell, and Robert Devine are accused of abusing and exploiting Birchmore for a decade after meeting her when she enrolled in the department’s Explorer youth program when she was 13 in 2010.
• In the wake of Birchmore’s death, an internal Stoughton Police Department probe found that Matthew Farwell had allegedly started sexually abusing her when she was 15.

Third Autopsy 

As part of this investigation, the government retained Dr. William Smock as an expert to independently review the crime scene photos, autopsy photos, and the Medical Examiner’s autopsy report. Dr. Smock is an emergency medicine residency and forensics.

The Medical Examiner’s autopsy report further confirmed that Birchmore was approximately 8 to 10 weeks pregnant at the time of her death. The autopsy included toxicology testing. The results of the toxicology tests were negative for all substances except for sertraline, which was likely explained by the antidepressants Birchmore had been prescribed.

Dr. Smock has made several observations and conclusions that call into question the prior finding that Birchmore’s cause of death was suicide and instead further  confirm that Birchmore’s cause of death was homicide.

Dr. Smock concluded that the fracture of the right superior horn of Birchmore’s hyoid bone is not consistent with the position in which first responders found her: sitting. A sitting hanging is called “an incomplete hanging,” meaning only partial body weight is applied to the neck ligature.

Dr. Smock noted that, during the autopsy, a pattern imprint was documented on Birchmore’s right upper chest. The pattern imprint was the consequence of a buckle or buckles from the ligature strap being forced downward into Ms. Birchmore’s chest. When first responders found Birchmore’s body, the buckle responsible for this imprint was observed just below her right ear. However,  the location of the imprint on her chest is not consistent with an incomplete ligature hanging.

Dr. Smock reviewed the autopsy photos that depict Birchmore with areas of skin missing from the inferior and lateral aspects of her nose consistent with abrasions. These types of injuries are commonly seen in cases of  suffocation when the victim moves their nose back and forth in an effort to breathe.

Dr. Smock noted that Birchmore was in the habit of always wearing a chain necklace with a flamingo pendant. The chain was found broken around Birchmore’s neck. The breaking of Birchmore’s chain necklace is consistent with a struggle.

Autopsy Findings:

• Hyoid bone is not consistent with the position in which first responders found Sandra
• The pattern imprint was the consequence of a buckle or buckles from the ligature strap being forced downward into Ms. Birchmore’s chest. When first responders found Birchmore’s body, the buckle responsible for this imprint was observed just below her right ear.
• skin missing from the inferior and lateral aspects of her nose consistent with abrasions. These types of injuries are commonly seen in cases of  suffocation when the victim moves their nose back and forth in an effort to breathe.
• chain was found broken around Birchmore’s neck. The breaking of Birchmore’s chain necklace is consistent with a struggle.

Investigators found text messages showing the sexual relationship continued for years. 

• Farwell had sex with Birchmore when she was 15, and couldn’t legally consent, according to the federal indictment. Farwell had previously told investigators that he first had sex with Birchmore seven years later, in 2020, but the evidence found that was a lie. 
• Matthew Farwell tracked Birchmore’s phone location, punished her with violent sex acts for perceived misbehavior and became angry when Sandra’s friend informed the police department of their relationship.

In the Fall of 2019 

• Sandra Birchmore met Joshua Heal when she came to the shelter to adopt a cat. They became friends and later engaged in a consensual sex act once after working hours at the animal shelter. Sandra started to confide in him about intimate details of her life including her relationship with Farwell brothers and Devine.. According to Joshua, they engaged in a consensual sex act once after working hours at the animal. Joshua Heal is friends with Sandra on Facebook

October 12, 2019 

• Sandra lost her favorite aunt Alice.

May 19, 2020

• The police were called to Sandra Birchmore’s home for a well-being check.
• A dispatcher informed the officers that Birchmore was expressing a desire to harm herself, according to police radio call recordings. According to police records and information disclosed by a friend, on that day, Birchmore had gotten into a fight with a family member, who called the police and reported Birchmore was going to harm herself.
• The police took Birchmore to the hospital, where she was evaluated and deemed not at risk for self-harm.
• She was released a few hours later.

September 2020

• Sandra applied for housing and secured her own place.

October 2020

• She started working at East Elementary School in Sharon, she moved out of her aunt’s place and into an apartment with the assistance of Matthew Farwell.

October 5, 2020

• Joshua Heal told Sandra Birchmore that Matthew Farwell’s wife was pregnant with the couple’s third child. Joshua Heal indicated that the baby was due in February 2021. Sandra Birchmore responded that she was going to tell Matthew Farwell’s wife that he had been having sex with her (Birchmore) for nearly ten years.

October 12, 2020 

• Birchmore presented Matthew Farwell with an ultimatum: He would have to agree to engage in unprotected sex with Birchmore with the goal of conceiving a child; and in return, Birchmore would not disclose their relationship. But Birchmore had already told others that Matthew Farwell had been having sex with her since before she was 16 years old, which she knew was a crime, and Birchmore knew that Farwell was leaving work to have sex with her while he was on duty as a Stoughton police officer.

December 2020

• December 2020 Birchmore was pregnant and believed Farwell was the father since he had agreed to impregnate her as part of a deal they made for Birchmore to stay quiet about their relationship. Sandra told Farwell about the pregnancy, and he became angry, and said “he wished she just would die and he wants nothing to do with the baby,”.

January 8, 2021 

• Sandra Birchmore meet with Matthew Farwell at her apartment to discuss the pregnancy, they ended up arguing, Farwell has pushed her and shoved her and put her in a choke hold,and Sandra kicked him out of her apartment.

January 20, 2021

• Sandra’s friend is angry with Sandra because Sandra had owed her the money for a couple months. She called the Stoughton Police and informed them about the monetary dispute, and was advised that this was a civil matter. She became upset and responded to the officer on phone by insinuating that the Stoughton officer or detective that Birchmore is engaged in a sexual relationship with Matthew Farwell and should tell her to pay back the money she owes.
• Matthew sent Birchmore text messages revealing his extreme anger. He sent her a series of text messages with expletives, telling Birchmore that he thought no one knew about their relationship, that she had no clue how bad this was, and indicating that he does not know if he needs to worry about other disclosures.

January 21, 2021 

• Sandra called her friend and told her that she didn’t respond to her because she had hit her head on her car door and then again on the pavement and had to go to the hospital.

January 24, 2021

• Matthew Farwell request for a key for Birchmore’s apartment in which Sandra gave him the pass code to her building’s front door and told him, “I have your key too when you want it”. The same day Sandra Birchmore paid $2.00 to have a key copied at a11:10 a.m.

January 29, 2021

• Matthew Farewell asked Sandra if the code was the general one given to the entire building, not just one assigned to her.

On January 30, 2021

• Birchmore asked Farwell if she could share the baby names she was considering. Farwell responded he would prefer to discuss the topic in person.

January 31, 2021 

• Sandra saw a Therapist. During this session, she was screened for depression and suicidal ideation and Therapist concluced no signs of depression or suicidal ideation.
• Matthew Farwell brought her the ginger ale she had asked for that night in January. Birchmore texted her friend: He was coming around to the idea of being a dad to the child they’d have together. He opened her closet door and looked in her bathroom, and she didn’t know why. “That’s weird,” her friend texted. “Yeah, it was really weird,” she responded.
• Eight days later, Birchmore was found dead in her apartment, hanging from the door handle of her bedroom closet. The medical examiner ruled her death a suicide. Prosecutors allege the night Farwell brought Birchmore ginger ale, he was actually planning to kill her and was scoping her apartment for ways to stage her death as a suicide.

The day of Sandra’s Death

On February 1, 2021

• 12:19 p.m., Birchmore sent Matthew Farwell text messages indicating that she was going to be released early (at 12:35 p.m.) from her job at the Sharon Public Schools. Matthew Farwell told her that he would not be in the area that day. once home Sandra Birchmore ordered baby items. She used her computer,
• 12:19 PM Birchmore sent Matthew Farwell text messages indicating that she was going to be released early (at 12:35 p.m.) from her job at the Sharon Public Schools. Matthew Farwell told her that he would not be in the area that day.
• 12:35 PM: School Released Early, Once home Sandra Birchmore ordered baby items. She used her computer,
• 1:25p.m. She planned for newborn baby photos, an official pregnancy announcement, which she planned to do on Valentine’s Day, as well as a gender reveal. She also made plans for her more immediate future, scheduling an OBGYN appointment for February 10, 2021, has a load of wet clothes in the washing machine and another load dry in the dryer.
• 1:31 PM booking a newborn photography shoot
• 5:01 p.m., Sandra received a DoorDash order, and then went outside
• 5:31 p.m, Sandra going outside with a snow brush
• 5:33 p.m Sandra returning with a snow brush and its The last time Birchmore is seen alive on the video is on February 1, 2021, at 5:33 p.m.
• 7:57 p.m. Birchmore texted a friend to obtain baby clothes from her
• 8:25 p.m Birchmore performed a Google search for “Cubby Kids” furniture
  
• Sandra was doing laundry – she the key, Matthew Farwell phone.
• 9:00 PM Sandra spoke with a coworker asking to help shovel out her car during the impending snowstorm.
• 9:03 PM that evening, she sent a message via Snapchat to inquire about a work schedule.
• 9:08 p.m Matthew Farwell sent Birchmore a text message asking whether he could “come by for a second.”
• 9:10 p.m., Birchmore sent Matthew Farwell a text message indicating that when he arrived at her apartment, the door would be open for him. This is the last known outgoing message sent from Sandra’s cell phone.
• 9:13 PM Sandra sent a final text message to Matthew Farwell stating that the door was unlocked
• 9:14 PM, Matthew Farwell was seen entering Sandra’s apartment building.
• 9:28 PM Sandra’s coworker replied to the Snapchat message at 9:28 PM, but Sandra did not open the message.
• 9:43 PM Matthew Farwell was seen exiting Sandra’s lobby at 9:43 PM

April 26, 2021

Matthew Cell phone

Detectives received Matthew’s work cellphone data extraction, performed by Trooper Nick Guarino. The detective analyzed both of these phones and did not find any communication with Sandra Birchmore. Matt had said in a previous interview that he deleted all communications with Sandra.

Sandra’s laptop

Sandra’s laptop gave me access to approximately 12 months of iMessages, social media content, and other documents/databases. Matt and Sandra texted thousands of times over the year and communicated with Sandra’s many other friends and family. It was clear, based on texts with Matt, that he and Sandra had a sexual relationship, as he told us in his previous interview. Sandra communicated often with friends and family. It appeared that Sandra had sexual relationships with other men in the months leading up to her death. There were no threats of harm by any of these individuals, including Matt.

February 5, 2021 – Friday

1:08 PM – The detective spoke with Sandra’s aunt, who stated she was aware that Sandra Birchmore was pregnant and that the father of the baby was Matthew Farwell. Sandra had previously mentioned that she and Farwell had been talking through issues regarding Farwell signing the birth certificate. was asked if she was aware of any allegations or signs of abuse between Farwell and Birchmore, to which she stated she was not.

Deputy Chief Brian Holmes issued a serious directive, ordering a comprehensive internal investigation to determine any potential misconduct within the Stoughton Police Department.

February 6, 2021

3:10 PM: Matt Dunne interviewed “Matt” Farwell at the Gibbons School (Stoughton) in the parking lot out front.

Matt said that sometime early in 2020, he began a sexual relationship with Sandra. He said that he was intoxicated one night and ended up meeting up with her and having sex. Matt said that he maybe had sex with her 2-3 since last year. He said that the last time they had sex was at the end of October 2020.

Matt said that sometime in December 2020, Sandra told him that she was pregnant and he was the father. Matt said that he was confident the last time he had sex with her and that the timeline didn’t add up based on her expected due date in September. Matt was adamant that he was not the father of the unborn child that Sandra was carrying at the time of her death.

Detective Interviewed Sandra’s friend

she and her sister had breakfast with Birchmore, which turned into a long conversation. She stated that Birchmore was a member of the “respect program” at age 8 and later the junior officer program at age 13.

Birchmore began a relationship with Matt Farwell of the Stoughton Police Department at the age of 15. Birchmore had previously enlisted in the military at one point but had gotten kicked out, Birchmore was pressuring Matt Farwell to sign the baby’s birth certificate.

She further stated that Matt’s brother, Billy Farwell, had informed Matt’s wife about the affair. 

Matt’s wife confronted him but he denied it. Birchmore had previously told that Matt Farwell’s wife knew about the affair.

Detective Interviewed a close friend of Birchmore

She had known Birchmore since they were 7 or 8 when they were involved in a program that helps mothers strengthen bonds with their children. They then played volleyball together from approximately ages 9 through 12. She stated she moved to a different school in Brookline around the 5″ to 6″ grade but remained living in Stoughton.

Over the years, she and Birchmore would lose touch for an extended period of time, then reconnect and occasionally communicate via social media or an occasional text message here or there. This continued into their late teens and early 20s. According to her, this past summer, she and Birchmore began interacting again.

Sandra asked her if she could move into her house. Birchmore had said at the time that she was having an issue with her aunt, who was selling the house where they were both living. She also stated that Birchmore did not trust her aunt with her cats and wanted her mother to look after them. Birchmore also asked to watch her cats and dog if she ended up going back into the military.

November or early December, she went to Birchmore’s apartment complex, where they hung out for approximately two hours outside the building. She then went back to Birchmore’s apartment a few days after that. Around December 12, Birchmore said that she was pregnant. She said that the baby’s father was a Stoughton detective, but she did not say his name. Birchmore said that she and the father are dating, but because he’s still married, they are not “official.” Birchmore had told her that the baby’s father was going to divorce his wife but can’t right now because of the coronavirus. Birchmore had told her that at the time she became pregnant, and told that her she used to babysit. 

Birchmore asked if she was going to have a baby too and mentioned something about “baby fever.” Birchmore began avoiding certain foods when she began to suspect she was pregnant but pointed out this was before Birchmore ever even took a blood or urine pregnancy test.

Birchmore told her she had told the baby’s father about the pregnancy a few days after Christmas. Apparently, the father was upset about the pregnancy, and She then kicked him out of the apartment.

• Stated that Birchmore told her he had said, “I wish you would kill yourself’ or “l wish you were dead.”
• She wanted the baby to have the father’s last name and for the birth certificate to reflect that.
• She also wanted him in the delivery room when she gave birth.
• Birchmore had demanded that if he could be in the delivery room with his wife, then he could be in the delivery room with her.

Birchmore had told about a second meeting between her and the father of the baby to discuss the pregnancy. which occurred sometime around January 8″. According to Birchmoreeren’t too loud. Matt sai the athmeeting as well.

Sandra had owed her the money for a couple of months, and eventually, she told Birchmore she needed some of it paid back.

January 16, 2021, stated that Birchmore responded by saying that she would send her $150 that night. After receiving no response from Birchmore, got irritated and asked her why she only stopped responding when she requested that Birchmore pay her back. Birchmore responded a few days later, stating that she didn’t respond because she had hit her head on her car door and then again on the pavement and had to go to the hospital

January 20, 2021 she called the Stoughton Police and informed them about the monetary dispute. was advised that this was a civil matter. She stated that she became upset and responded to the officer on phone by insinuating that the Stoughton officer or detective that Birchmore is engaged in a sexual relationship with should tell her to pay back the money she owes. stated she then received a phone call from Birchmore not long after this took place.

Interview with ex-wife of Birchmore’s mother’s cousin

Birchmore had told her she was upset about her aunt selling the house. She stated that Birchmore “seemed down” and knew that the pregnancy was going to be an “uphill battle. Stated that she knew the father was a detective, has two children of his own, and that his at it was a pretty nasty argument, but twifey iometime in February. further stated that the father of the baby is a twin and Birchmore’s mother is a twin, so they had discussed the potential of Birchmore possibly being more likely to have twins. She said that she later spoke with Birchmore after an ultrasound and was told Birchmore was only pregnant with one child.

She just didn’t want the father’s wife to find out. Birchmore hadriends and family. It appeared that Sandra had sexual relationships with other men in the months leading up tolher t was willing to help with the pregnancy and the baby. She stated that she and Birchmore discussed the baby, but they also spoke about topics such as her plans for the baby, daycare, a baby shower, etc.

February 8, 2022 – Phone

12:00 pm, Detectives met with Matthew Farwell at the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office in Canton. Matthew gave consent to retrieve the data off his phone relative to the investigation into the death of Sandra Birchmore.

February 8, 2021 – Detective Interviews Sandra Birchmore’s Closest Friend (High School Friend)

• Detectives interviewed a woman who described herself as Sandra Birchmore’s closest friend.
• She stated that she and Birchmore met in high school and that Birchmore was one academic year below her.
• She stated they typically spoke approximately three times per week and saw one another in person one to two times per week.
• She stated that Birchmore told her she had kicked the baby’s father out of her apartment approximately two or three weeks earlier after they argued about the baby’s birth certificate.
• She stated Birchmore also told her about another verbal argument between the two.
• Birchmore told her that they were still trying to figure out how to approach the situation regarding him signing the baby’s birth certificate.
• Birchmore told her that the baby’s father brought up adoption.
• Birchmore told her she was not considering adoption as an option.
• The witness stated that Birchmore would sometimes waver between being okay with him signing the birth certificate and then not being okay with it.

February 8, 2021 – Detective Interviews Coworker and Former Teacher (Same Day)

• The coworker stated that Birchmore would not necessarily get sad when something upset her.
• She stated Birchmore would instead become aggressive and angry.
• She stated she was never sure she could accept Birchmore’s word as true.
• She stated she was aware Birchmore would occasionally fabricate events.
• Because of this, she said she was leery of what Birchmore would tell her and what was actually true.
• She stated she had recently spoken with Birchmore less often due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• She described their recent communication as “spotty.”

Friend (Separate Witness)

• The friend stated that on January 22, 2021, Birchmore told her she was pregnant.
• She stated that in November or early December 2020 she went to Birchmore’s apartment complex and they hung out outside the building for approximately two hours.
• She stated she went back to Birchmore’s apartment a few days later.
• She stated that around December 12, Birchmore told her she was pregnant.
• Birchmore told her the baby’s father was a Stoughton detective but did not provide his name.
• Birchmore described him as a “close friend.”
• The witness stated she was not sure if Birchmore was telling the truth.
• Birchmore told her that if the baby’s father could be in the delivery room with his wife, then he could be in the delivery room with her.
• Birchmore told her about a second meeting between herself and the baby’s father to discuss the pregnancy.
• The witness stated she could not always believe Birchmore’s word.
• Birchmore told her she had already had several ultrasounds.
• Birchmore would share “drama” about the Stoughton Police Department with her.
• Birchmore specifically mentioned how the chief was treating one specific officer unfairly.

February 9, 2021 – 10:58 a.m. – Detective Interviews Childhood Friend (Across-the-Street Neighbor)

• Detectives interviewed a woman who stated she moved across the street from Birchmore’s home when she was approximately four years old.
• She stated she had known Birchmore, on and off, for approximately seventeen years.
• She stated she and Birchmore were very close between the ages of four and twelve.
• She stated that until about one month before Birchmore’s death, she had not spoken to Birchmore in approximately two years.
• She stated Birchmore reached out to her “out of the blue” about one month earlier and she was surprised to hear from her.
• She stated that when they last spoke before that, they had left things “not necessarily on bad terms, but not great terms.”
• She stated that she last spoke with Birchmore on Sunday night, January 31, 2021.
• She stated she checked her phone and confirmed they had actually spoken at 1:57 a.m.
• She stated she also had a missed call from Birchmore at 7:16 p.m. that same day.
• She stated she and Birchmore spoke via FaceTime for approximately two hours.
• During that conversation, Birchmore told her she was pregnant but was not sure who the father was.
• Birchmore told her she had been sleeping with twin brothers.
• Birchmore told her that one or both of the twins were police officers.
• Birchmore did not provide the name of either individual.
• Birchmore told her she was not sure what to do and asked her for advice, noting that the witness already had a child of her own.
• The witness stated Birchmore said she did not know who the father was due to a “time frame thing,” meaning she had been sexually active with more than one individual around the time she became pregnant.
• The witness stated Birchmore later told her that she knew who the father was and said he was a police officer.
• Birchmore told her that the father made a lot of money.
• Birchmore told her the situation was awkward because the father was married.
• Birchmore told her she did not know what to do about that.
• The witness stated Birchmore told the father of the baby how much money he would have to pay per month once the baby was born.
• According to the witness, Birchmore said she would demand $4,000 per month in child support.
• Birchmore also said she would demand an additional $3,000 per month for daycare.
• Birchmore told her she had already selected a daycare center, Creative World Children’s Learning Center in South Easton, Massachusetts.
• The witness noted that it was not even one month into Birchmore’s pregnancy when Birchmore told her all of this.
• The witness stated Birchmore told her the baby’s father was in denial and was saying the baby was not his.
• Birchmore told her the father did not seem happy about the pregnancy.
• The witness stated Birchmore seemed set on having the baby alone if he was not going to be involved.
• The witness stated Birchmore said she did not need help.
• The witness stated Birchmore “seemed completely OK with that.”
• The witness stated she was aware Birchmore would sometimes make up stories.
• She stated that at the time she believed what Birchmore told her and that it sounded real.
• The witness stated she was aware of rumors circulating around Stoughton after Birchmore’s death, including:
• That Birchmore’s death was a suicide.
• That a police officer was involved.
• That the death was suspicious.
• That there was blood all over the walls in Birchmore’s apartment.

February 11, 2021 – Interviews William “Billy” Farwell by Trooper Matthew Dunne 

Cobbs Corner, Stoughton, Massachusetts

• 4:05 p.m., Trooper Matthew Dunne interviewed William “Billy” Farwell, the twin brother of Matthew Farwell, in a parking lot at Cobbs Corner in Stoughton.
• William Farwell stated that he had heard Sandra Birchmore had passed away on Friday.
• William Stated that he first met Birchmore approximately ten years earlier when she was a Police Explorer in Stoughton and he was a guest instructor.
• He explained that the Police Explorer program is a junior academy program for high school-aged students designed to expose them to different facets of law enforcement.
• Billy stated that he had not seen Birchmore in a very long time, probably since the Explorers program.
• Billy stated that he became a Stoughton police officer in 2017.
• Billy stated that in 2018 he saw Birchmore while he was working a paid detail in Stoughton.
• He stated that Birchmore remembered him, but he did not really remember her very well.
• Billy stated that Birchmore told him she wanted to get into the Army and asked if he had any contacts.
• Billy, who still serves in the military, stated that he helped her contact recruiters. 
• Billy stated he introduced Sandra to Jason Pickard, a U.S. Army recruiter.
• Billy stated that Birchmore was accepted into the Army but was eventually discharged during boot camp.
• Billy stated that Birchmore then began constantly contacting him.
• Billy stated that the last time he had been in contact with Birchmore was approximately two weeks earlier via email.
• He stated that Birchmore told him she had been accepted to nursing school.
• Billy stated that he had a sexual relationship with Birchmore going back approximately two years.
• Billy stated that in 2020 he had sexual contact with her maybe two or three times.
• Billy stated that the last time they were together sexually was sometime in December 2020.
• Billy stated that Birchmore told him she was pregnant and that the father was his brother, Matthew Farwell.
• Billy stated that he knew he was not the father of the baby.

February 12, 2021 – Detective Interviews Coworker of Sandra Birchmore

Sharon Public Schools Employee

• Detectives interviewed a woman who worked with Sandra Birchmore and had known her since elementary school.
• The witness stated that she and Birchmore reconnected in late high school when they were approximately 17 to 18 years old.
• She stated they attended volleyball open-court sessions together in Stoughton.
• The witness stated that Birchmore told her she had been in a sexual relationship with a married man.
• Birchmore told her that the married man was the father of her baby.
• The witness stated that Birchmore told her she had already purchased a baby stroller.
• Birchmore told her she had always wanted a family of her own.
• The witness stated she believed the baby’s father did not want the pregnancy.
• The witness stated that Birchmore told her, “he should leave his wife, he loves me,” and claimed he loved her more than his wife.
• The witness stated that Birchmore told her she “wasn’t trying to not get pregnant.”
• The witness stated she believed Birchmore may have intentionally become pregnant.
• The witness stated that Birchmore told her an argument occurred after the man expressed unhappiness about the pregnancy.
• Birchmore told her she threatened to tell the man’s wife and his workplace, knowing it would cause serious consequences for him.
• The witness stated that Birchmore told her the man became angry and took her phone.
• The witness stated this incident occurred approximately two weeks before Birchmore was found deceased.
• The witness stated that Birchmore sent her a Snapchat message at approximately 9:00 p.m. on Monday, February 1, 2021, regarding work the next day.
• The witness stated that both she and Birchmore worked for the Sharon school system.
• The witness stated that the school system had a half-day scheduled for Monday, February 1, due to snow.
• The witness stated there was a scheduled remote half-day on Tuesday, February 2.
• The witness stated that she responded to Birchmore’s Snapchat message at approximately 9:28 p.m. that evening.
• The witness stated that Birchmore never opened her last message.

• February 23, 2021: Deputy Chief Holmes opens internal case file; restricts IMC access to Birchmore’s records.
• February 24: Matthew Farwell placed on paid administrative leave.
• March 2, 2021: Inventory completed of equipment taken from Farwell.
• March 4, 2021: Death Certificate issued for Sandra Birchmore.  death certificate
• April 26, 2021: Farwell’s department-issued phone transferred to MSP.
• May 21, 2021: Cause of Death: The Massachusetts State Medical Examiner rules Sandra Birchmore’s death a suicide.  death certificate
• She was 23 years old and approximately 3 months pregnant.
• A State Police investigation found no evidence of foul play.
• July 30, 2021: Meeting held with Norfolk DA’s Office and MSP regarding the investigation.
• August 2021 – William Farwell placed on military leave to serve in the Middle East with the Army National Guard.
• September 3, 2021: PI Paul L’Italien brought in as external investigator.
• September 30, 2021: Deputy Chief Holmes receives massive data dump (~50,000 pages) from Birchmore’s computer and phone synced files.
• October 5, 2021: Thumb drive containing victim’s communications given to PI L’Italien for analysis.
• October 6, 2021, Detective met with Sergeant Fanning at the Office of the District Attorney and received Sandra Birchmore’s MacBook Air from Sergeant Fanning.
• November 4, 2021, Detectives identified, observed, and discussed conversations from Sandra’s laptop between Matthew Farwell, William Farwell, and a recruiter from the MA Army National Guard, who was believed to be Birchmore’s recruiting officer. They identified conversations that would be of interest to the US Military and noted that photographs and videos had been exchanged between Birchmore, William, and Matthew Farwell.
• December 7, 2021: Internal interviews and due process notices initiated.
• December 21, 2021: Joshua Heal interviewed; pauses interview to seek legal representation.
• December 22, 2021: Cellebrite export of Birchmore’s data received from MSP.
• December 21, 2021, Detectives interviewed Joshua Heal regarding the Sandra Birchmore investigation. Heal denied any sexual involvement. After approximately 30 minutes of questioning, he requested to stop the interview in order to consult legal counsel.
• December 22, 2021, Detectives reviewed Stoughton Animal Control Shelter records in an attempt to locate pet adoption documents for Sandra Birchmore. No such documents were found.

2022

• January 11, 2022 Detectives received authorization to conduct forensic analysis on a couch located in an office that may have evidentiary value.
• January 14, 2022, Detectives, along with MSP crime lab personnel Lt. Kenneth Heffernan and Jennifer Preisig, processed the couch for forensic evidence.
• February 9, 2022: Second interview conducted with Joshua Heal.
• February 18–22, 2022: Notice of interview sent to Matthew Farwell. His attorney confirms he will not participate.
• May 2–3, 2022: Allegation of possible 2021 criminal act by Matthew Farwell referred to MSP; victim declines to cooperate.
• March 11, 2022: Matthew Farwell submits formal resignation (effective April 1).
• March 28 – April 2, 2022: Interviews continue with witnesses; Devine’s involvement scrutinized.
• April 1, 2022: Matthew Farwell resigned from the Stoughton Police Department. He had been on paid administrative leave since February 24, 2021. During his leave, he obtained a CDL and launched a trucking company, DMJ Transportation LLC..  Records.
• April 4, 2022: The Town of Stoughton placed William Farwell and Robert Devine on administrative leave. The move coincided with the end of William’s unrelated personal leave.  Town Manager Release
• April 6, 2022, Angelique Pirozzi, cousin of Sandra’s mother, was interviewed by MSP. She described a toxic and emotionally deteriorating relationship between Sandra and Matthew Farwell, and said Sandra had babysat for Farwell’s family and had pressured him to be involved in her pregnancy.  MSP Report
• April 7, 2022, Detectives received a text message with a screenshot of the comments section of a Facebook post commenting on the recent Boston Globe article on the resignation of Matthew Farwell and of Sandra Birchmore. The post was alleged that Birchmore’s friends had been contacted by members of the Stoughton Police Department after her death and that the friends were threatened and called liars.
• April 8, 2022, Robert Devine was interviewed at the MPTC academy by Chief McNamara’s delegates. He denied any relationship with Sandra and stated, “because you won’t find it” when told no communication had been discovered.
• May 2–3, 2022: Allegation of possible 2021 criminal act by Matthew Farwell referred to MSP; victim declines to cooperate.
• May 17, 2022, Detectives discovered a Facebook Messenger thread on Sandra’s laptop involving a user later identified as Devine using the alias “Marty Riggs”. The messages included discussions about meeting Sandra in his patrol car while on duty.
• June 7, 2022: Cellebrite data from Birchmore’s phones received and reviewed.
• June 23, 2022: FBI consulted on William Farwell’s suspicious CJIS queries; confirms no federal violations.
• July 26, 2022: William Farwell retrieves personal items from station.- 
• August 1, 2022: William Farwell submitted his resignation from the Stoughton Police Department.
• August 15, 2022, William Farwell’s resignation became effective August 16, 2022.
• August 16, 2022: Robert Devine officially retired from the Stoughton Police Department.
• August 22–24, 2022: Cellebrite data archived and thumb drives returned from private investigators.
• August 25, 2022, Detectives received a letter from Robert Devine. He claimed his accounts had been hacked. However, an internal IMC records check found no incident reports supporting this claim. Investigators maintained their assessment of his credibility.
• September 13, 2022 Chief Donna McNamara confirmed in an internal email that Matthew Farwell, William Farwell, and Robert Devine would not be returning to the department.  Email
• Statement of Chief Donna M. McNamara reveals misconduct by Farwell brothers, Devine in internal affairs report  Statement
  September 23, 2022 The Abington Police Department placed Joshua Heal on administrative leave amid allegations of misconduct. He resigned prior to an internal interview. Investigators deemed him not credible and less than forthright.  Press Release
  
• September 30, 2022 The Norfolk District Attorney announced that a 60-page internal report on the Stoughton officers’ conduct was under review for potential criminal charges. The DA invited other victims or witnesses to come forward.  Press Release
  
• December 29, 2022: The estate of Sandra Birchmore filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Matthew Farwell and other former officers, as well as the Town of Stoughton.
• August 22, 2023: The POST Commission initiated proceedings to revoke the law enforcement certifications of both Matthew and William Farwell.

Records