Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sandra Birchmore?
Sandra Birchmore was a 23-year-old woman living in Canton, Massachusetts. She was born in 1997. She worked at Sharon Public Schools.
At the time of her death, she was three months pregnant, allegedly with Matthew Farwell’s child.
Who is Matthew Farwell?
38-year-old Matthew Farwell is a former police officer from Stoughton Massachusetts. He is one of three former Stoughton police officers who were accused of having inappropriate sexual relationships with Sandra, along with his twin brother William Farwell and Robert Devine.
What Was Their Relationship?
Sandra joined the Stoughton Police Explorers Academy in 2010 when she was twelve years old.
At the time Farwell was a volunteer for the Police Explorers. In 2012 he became a sworn officer of the Stoughton Police Department in Stoughton, Massachusetts and eventually worked as an instructor for the Police Explorers.
Prior to Sandra’s 16th birthday, Farwell engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with her. It continued until 2021 and would occur while Farwell was on the clock when he was expected to be working as an officer for the Stoughton Police Department.
Farwell was able to keep their relationship a secret until January 20th 2021 when one of Sandra’s friends called the Stoughton Police Department and reported his misconduct.
In In December 2020, she learned she was pregnant and told multiple friends that Matthew Farwell was the father. She also told him the news. In January 2021, Farwell broke off the relationship.
How Did Sandra Die?
Sandra was killed on February 1st 2021. That day, Matthew Farwell was captured by surveillance cameras coming and going from her building. She had been strangled and the scene was staged to make her death look like a suicide.
Matthew Farwell’s Charges
Farwell has been charged with pre-meditated murder, wire fraud, and Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law. He faces a minimum of life in prison. There is also a pending wrongful death lawsuit filed by Sandra’s estate.
After her death, Farwell researched how to delete data from his phone. Matthew Farwell, William Farwell, and Robert Devine all resigned.
Who is Robert Devine?
Robert Devine ran the Police Explorers program.
Who is Joshua Heal?
Joshua Heal is a former animal control officer.
Wrongful Death Suit
Sandra's aunt, Darlene Smith, filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of her estate against Matthew Farwell, William Farwell, Robert Devine, Joshua Heal, the Town of Stoughton, and the Stoughton Police Department. It's currently pending but Joshua Heal has been dropped from this lawsuit. William Farwell's attorneys in that civil case withdrew on August 27th, the day the indictment against Matthew Farwell was filed.