Location: Apartment 3307 at the Canton Woods/Windsor Woods apartment complex in Canton, Massachusetts.

Discovery: Sandra Birchmore was found deceased during a well-being check on February 4, 2021. The sections below document the responding officers, apartment and bedroom scene, body position, state-police response, Crime Scene Services, cell-phone evidence, final-visitor surveillance context, and medical findings.

Scope: This page is limited to crime-scene and body-discovery material. Broader relationship history, police-misconduct allegations, later interviews, and the full investigation timeline are maintained on the related case pages.

Sandra Birchmore

February 1, 2021: 

• 12:19 PM Birchmore sent Matthew Farwell text messages indicating that she was going to be released early (at 12:35 PM.) 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,
• 1:25 p.m. She planned newborn baby photos, an official pregnancy announcement (which she planned to do on Valentine’s Day), and a gender reveal. She also made plans for her more immediate future, scheduling an OBGYN appointment for February 10, 2021, and had 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 PM, Sandra received a DoorDash order, and then went outside
• 5:31 PM, Sandra going outside with a snow brush
• 5:33 PM, Sandra returned with a snow brush. The last time Birchmore is seen alive on the video is on February 1, 2021, at 5:33 PM.
• 7:57 PM. Birchmore texted a friend to obtain baby clothes from her
• 8:25 PM Birchmore performed a Google search for “Cubby Kids” furniture
• Sandra was doing laundry – she had the key, Matthew Farwell phone.
• 9:00 PM Sandra spoke with a coworker, asking for help shoveling out her car during the impending snowstorm.
• 9:03 PM that evening, she sent a message via Snapchat to inquire about a work schedule.
• At 9:08 PM, Matthew Farwell texted Birchmore asking whether he could “come by for a second.”
• 9:10 PM., Birchmore texted Matthew Farwell 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 PMMatthew 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 said another resident had expressed concern about 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 contact Sandra directly at her apartment. The property manager 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
• The property manager provided access to video from the apartment complex showing 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

February 4, 2021- Patrolman Ensley Cotard

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

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

9:45 AM.

• Sharon Police Officer Michael Hocking, the SRO for Sharon Public Schools, contacted Officer Cotard directly by cell phone.
• Officer Hocking requested assistance with a well-being check on a female Sharon Public Schools staff member 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 reach the emergency contact listed in her file.
• The last known address Officer Hocking had for Ms. Birchmore was 3 Windsor Woods Lane, Canton Woods Apartments, Canton.
• Officer Cotard asked whether a specific apartment number was known.
• Officer Hocking responded in the negative.
• Officer Hocking provided no additional information about 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 AM.

• 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 in the building asked her to try contacting Ms. Birchmore using the contact number on file.
• Ms. Porter attempted to contact Ms. Birchmore’s cell phone twice.
• 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 AM.

• 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 locate Ms. Birchmore’s vehicle in the parking lot and, if found, 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.
• Officers obtained the apartment keys 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 entered 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 was seated on the floor.
• A belt, lanyard, string, or rope secured tightly around her neck.
• The ligature was secured to the bedroom closet door handle.
• 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 shortly after 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 Ms. Birchmore’s contact information before contacting Officer Cotard.
• Officer Cotard advised Officer Hocking that he would contact 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.

February 4, 2021- Patrolman Charles O. Yeaton

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 enter 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.
• Officers observed two cats 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 skin discoloration (blue) and lividity, it appeared the female had been there for a long 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 shortly thereafter.
• Officer Brady, Officer Cotard, and Officer Yeaton remained outside the apartment.
• Sgt. Lank and Detective McCourt entered the apartment.
• They entered 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 AM.
• 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 PM. – 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 it would respond.
• 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 by phone moments later.
• She was notified of the death by Officer Nix.
• Smith was in New Hampshire and unable to respond to the scene.
• Trooper Dunn received her contact information.

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 PM.

Detective Jonathan McCourt

Thursday, February 4, 202111:09 AM. – Detective Response

• Detective Jonathan McCourt responded to 3307 Canton Woods for a well-being check of a female party, later identified as Sandra Marie Birchmore. 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 found in the bedroom, seated on the floor.
• A dark-colored strap was around her neck.
• The strap was tied to the bedroom closet door handle.
• Obvious signs of lividity were present on Birchmore’s face, hands, and abdomen.
• There was no visible trauma to the head.
• No defensive abrasions were observed 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 a cardboard box in the bedroom closet.
• 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 after clearing the scene.

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 un-kept.
• 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, similar to 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

• Officers found Sandra Birchmore seated 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.
• No defensive abrasions were observed 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 PM.
• 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 PersonnelCanton 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

Detective Jonathan McCourt

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 PM., 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 the evidence “appears” not to have been tested.
• The toxicology report showed the 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

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.
• Officers were unable to reach Birchmore by phone.
• Officers entered the apartment using a key obtained from property management.
• Birchmore had been located deceased, seated on the floor of the bedroom.

Sergeant Matthew Dunne

Trooper: Matthew Dunne #3943 – Massachusetts State Police Norfolk County State Police Detective Unit 

February 4, 2021, approx. 11:45 AM.

• 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 entered 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. 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 no drag marks 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 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 AM. 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 baby’s father 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 then.
• 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

Trooper Kevin Tufts #4054 – Massachusetts State Police

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 apartment’s interior, 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 Crime Scene Services’ photographic documentation.

Trooper Zach Clark

Trooper Zach Clark #4097 – Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services

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.

Cell Phone

February 1, 2021 – Cell Phone: Sandra’s 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: The 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 telling him the door was unlocked, Birchmore’s phone locked and remained locked until police recovered the device.

• 12:19 PM. Birchmore sent Matthew Farwell text messages indicating she would be released early at 12:35 PM from her job at Sharon Public Schools. Matthew Farwell told her that he would not be in the area that day.
• 7:57 PM. 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 PM Matthew Farwell texted Birchmore asking whether he could “come by for a second.”
• 9:10 PM, Sandra Birchmore texted Matthew Farwell 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’s phone was locked
• 9:14 PM Surveillance footage showed Matthew Farwell entering 3307 Windsor Woods Way
• 9:18 PM: The 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 telling him the door was unlocked, Birchmore’s phone locked and remained locked until police recovered the device.
• 9:28 PM The Coworker replied to Sandra, but she never opened the message, which was unusual for Sandra.
• 9:40 PM 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 the need to examine Farwell’s actions within this narrow time window.

Key Insight – 9:40 PM. Movement

• The eight recorded steps at 9:40 PM 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 Apple’s movement-tracking mechanism registered eight steps at approximately 9:40 PM. The phone recorded no additional steps between 9:40 PM and when first responders recovered it on February 4, 2021.

Matthew Farwell

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

February 5, 2021

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

February 6, 2021

• Canton PD detectives conducted a 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 reviewing the video footage, investigators identified a male subject (later identified as Stoughton Police Detective Matthew Farwell) arriving at Windsor Woods on February 1, 2021, at 9:27 PM and departing at 9:56 PM. Mr. Farwell was observed entering the apartment complex lobby and entering 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 been in a relationship for 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 missing skin on 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.

Autopsy

First Autopsy: The 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-shaped 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 resident and forensic pathologist. 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 resulted from a buckle or buckles on 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 imprint’s location 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 habitually wore a chain necklace with a flamingo pendant. Investigators found the chain broken around Birchmore’s neck. The broken chain necklace is consistent with a struggle.

Autopsy Findings:

• Hyoid bone is not consistent with the position in which first responders found Sandra
• The imprint pattern resulted from a buckle or buckles on 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 was 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. Breaking Birchmore’s chain necklace is consistent with a struggle.

• MSP – FBI Investigation into the Death of Sandra Birchmore Report
• Sandra Birchmore Death Investigation
• Sandra Birchmore Death Investigation
• Sandra Birchmore Death Investigation
• Sandra Birchmore Death Investigation
• Sandra Birchmore Death Investigation
• Sandra Birchmore Death Investigation
• Second Autopsy
• Second Autopsy
• Devine Investigation
• Manager Report
• FBI Report
• 2024 Matthew Farwell – FBI SPECIAL AGENT AFFIDAVIT
• 2024 Memorandum in support of Pretrial Motion farwell