Sandra Birchmore: The Officer She Trusted Is Accused of Killing Her

When Sandra Birchmore was 12, she joined a Stoughton, Massachusetts police youth program because she hoped to become an officer herself. What began as trust in the adults around her became the basis for years of alleged exploitation by men connected to the program. In 2021, Sandra was found dead in her Canton apartment while pregnant with her first child. Her death was initially ruled a suicide. Federal prosecutors now allege that former Stoughton Police Officer Matthew Farwell, who had known Sandra through the Police Explorers program, strangled her and staged the scene to look like a suicide. They allege he did so to prevent Sandra from disclosing information about his conduct to law enforcement. As of October 7, 2026, jury selection is underway in Matthew's federal trial. He has pleaded not guilty, and his defense maintains that Sandra died by suicide. In this episode, we trace Sandra's life, the Police Explorers program, the original investigation, and the case now being argued in federal court. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday! Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch! Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/moms with code moms. Exclusions apply. Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/moms #honeylovepod Text MOMS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. Get compounded GLP-1s for $59 a month from Collective. It's the same price every dose and you don’t have to prepay in advance to get the lowest price in the country. Visit collective.org/MOMS. Sources: Former Massachusetts Police Officer Arrested in Connection with Murder of Young Woman | United States Department of Justice The Betrayal of Sandra Birchmore The Sandra Birchmore Case Details Get Worse The Sandra Birchmore Case: Ex Stoughton Police Detective Indicted on Murder Charges Could Sandra Birchmore’s Alleged Killer Be Charged with Larceny? Family of former Stoughton police explorer files wrongful death lawsuit against 3 ex-officers https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25079501/farwellindictment.pdf https://www.bostonmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/usa_v._matthew_farwell_-_detention_affidavit_2.pdf ​​A timeline of Sandra Birchmore's relationship with her alleged killer, former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell Sexual relationship between Stoughton police officer and minor detailed in report - masslive.com Matthew Farwell, charged in Sandra Birchmore's death, to remain in custody until trial - CBS Boston Matthew Farwell to remain behind bars until trial on charges in death of Sandra Birchmore - Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News William Farwell, brother of man charged with killing Sandra Birchmore, has police certification revoked - CBS Boston Former Stoughton deputy chief Robert Devine decertified over misconduct allegations | GBH Sandra Birchmore’s mental health history allowed in Matthew Farwell trial Karen Read's attorneys seek unredacted documents from Sandra Birchmore death investigation - CBS Boston Sandra Birchmore case records https://crimetimelines.com/sandra-birchmore-timeline/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices