Killing of Sandra Birchmore
| Date | February 2021 |
|---|---|
| Location | Canton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Type | Alleged homicide |
| Deaths | Sandra Birchmore |
| Accused | Officer Matthew Farwell |
| Charges | Killing a Witness or Victim |
On February 4, 2021, 23-year-old American woman Sandra Birchmore (May 1997 – February 2021) was found dead in her Canton, Massachusetts apartment. Her death initially ruled as a suicide by asphyxia; However, federal authorities later determined that her death was a homicide, with a local police officer alleged to have killed her.[1][2]
Birchmore's case has drawn parallels to the Karen Read case, another high-profile investigation in Norfolk County. Both cases involve allegations of law enforcement misconduct and have raised questions about the integrity of the investigations conducted by local authorities.[3][4]
Background
[edit]Birchmore was from Stoughton, Massachusetts. When she was 12, she became involved with the Stoughton Police Explorers program, a program for youths interested in law enforcement careers. In the program, she met Officer Matthew Farwell, an instructor for the program.[5] Farwell, who was 27, allegedly began grooming her and had a sexual relationship with her over the years, leading up to her pregnancy in late 2020.[2]
Investigation
[edit]Her death initially ruled as a suicide by asphyxia; However, federal authorities later determined that her death was a homicide, alleging that Farwell allegedly strangling her to death and staging it as a suicide in order to cover up their relationship and her pregnancy.[1][2] Farwell was federally indicted on charges of murder in 2024.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "25 Investigates: Sandra Birchmore's death initially investigated by state law enforcement". Boston 25 News. August 28, 2024.
- ^ a b c Cristantiello, Ross. "Sandra Birchmore case timeline". www.boston.com.
- ^ Fortin, Matt (August 29, 2024). "Feds have stepped in on Karen Read, Sandra Birchmore cases. Experts say it's unusual". NECN.
- ^ "Two deaths in one Massachusetts town cast doubt on the relationship between police and prosecutors". NBC News. September 2, 2024.
- ^ Markos, Mary; DiGiammerino, Thea (August 29, 2024). "Advocate says Sandra Birchmore's family 'always thought that she was murdered'". NBC Boston.
External links
[edit]- United States v. Matthew Farwell, statement of case via DocumentCloud