"What I am about to brief you on is something deeply troubling to me as a human being and as a police chief. On February 4th, 2021, 23-year-old Sandra Birchmole was found deceased in her apartment in Kenton. What I am here to talk about today is her life and how she was failed by, manipulated by, and used by people of authority that she admired and trusted right up into her final days." — Chief Donna McNamara
"The admiration led her to form relationships with men who were willing to take advantage of her. I stand before you today as a civil servant who was heartbroken and incensed by what has transpired and who pledges that this chapter in the Stoughton Police Department and the town of Stoughton is over. It must never repeat. The revolving door is closed." — Chief Donna McNamara
"Instead, those fractures overwhelmingly show up in cases of manual strangulation, or when the full weight of the body is suspended. So he concludes with quote a reasonable degree of medical and scientific certainty that the cause of Miss Birchmore's death is asphyxia and that the man of her death is homicide. End quote." — Dr. William Smock
This episode details the tragic case of Sandra Birchmore, a 23-year-old woman found deceased in her apartment, initially ruled a suicide. However, Chief Donna McNamara of the Stoughton Police Department initiated an internal affairs investigation that began to unravel a complex web of deceit and abuse. The investigation focused on Officer Matthew Farwell, who was implicated in an affair with Birchmore and had a history with her through the Police Explorer program.
As the investigation progressed, a deeper and more disturbing pattern emerged. Through extensive review of communications, it was revealed that Farwell's relationship with Birchmore began when she was underage, and his communications suggested disturbing sexual fantasies involving violence. Further investigation by Chief McNamara's department implicated not only Matthew Farwell but also his twin brother, William Farwell, and former deputy chief Robert Divine, in inappropriate conduct and sexual abuse of minors within the Explorer program. These findings led to recommendations for the revocation of their police certifications.
The case took a significant turn when the FBI became involved, leading to a federal investigation that detailed Matthew Farwell's motive for homicide, linked to Birchmore's pregnancy and her threat to expose their relationship. Forensic analysis, including expert testimony, contradicted the initial suicide ruling, concluding that Birchmore's death was homicide by asphyxiation. This federal intervention resulted in Matthew Farwell's arrest and indictment, with his trial pending. The episode also highlights the ongoing wrongful death lawsuit filed by Sandra Birchmore's family, who have been instrumental in bringing attention to the case and the systemic issues within law enforcement youth programs.