Crime House Daily – Night Watch: Sandra Birchmore, Part 1

Host: Katie Ring
Date: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Crime House Daily’s Night Watch begins a deep dive into the tragic and controversial case of Sandra Birchmore, a young woman from Stoughton, Massachusetts, whose death was officially ruled a suicide in 2021—but under circumstances her family and supporters have never accepted as straightforward. Host Katie Ring explores Sandra’s difficult upbringing, her bond with law enforcement, a years-long grooming and abuse by her mentor in the police force, and the suspicious aftermath of her death—shedding light on alleged corruption, cover-ups, and ongoing demands for justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Setting: Introducing Sandra Birchmore’s Case

• The episode draws parallels between Sandra Birchmore’s case and the Karen Reed case—both took place in Canton, MA, involved alleged police corruption, and gained attention thanks to social media and relentless family advocacy. (00:39)
• Sandra Birchmore, 23, was found dead in February 2021. She was pregnant, and her death was quickly ruled a suicide by hanging—a conclusion her family disputes. (01:18–01:29)

Sandra’s Upbringing & Early Life

• Sandra’s childhood was marked by adversity: her mother Denise was widowed young, chronically ill, and Sandra grew up quickly, helping care for her mother and managing a tight household budget. (03:40–05:20)
• Despite poverty and bullying at school, Sandra was characterized as "having an amazing outlook, a huge heart, and would do anything for the people she cared about." (~04:40)
• Raised with support from her great aunt and uncle (who she viewed as her grandparents), Sandra also found solace in programs run by the Stoughton Police Department.

Police Explorers Program: Opportunity Turned Nightmare

• Sandra joined the Police Explorers program aged 12, run by Stoughton police, especially drawn by the structure, camaraderie, and the encouragement of positive male role models. (05:35–07:00)
• Her mentor was Officer Matthew Farwell, who began overseeing Sandra’s development and schooling.

Notable Quote – On Predatory Behavior

"Predators will usually choose positions and careers that will put them in proximity to children as trusted adults, and they will target at risk kids from broken homes who crave love and attention. And unfortunately, Sandra fit the profile perfectly."
—Katie Ring (03:55)

Aspirations & Setbacks

• After high school Sandra briefly entered the Army Reserves, then pivoted to studying criminal justice locally when her undisclosed asthma led to her being released from the army.
• In 2016, at age 18, tragedy struck: her mother died suddenly from a stroke, and her grandmother died shortly after. Sandra was left devastated but finished her degree, hoping to enter law enforcement. She was repeatedly rejected from police jobs, further impacting her mental health. (07:00–10:25)

Adult Life and New Direction

• By late 2020, Sandra found work as a teacher’s assistant and began courses to become a nurse. She seemed happy: her own apartment, supportive colleagues, and a newfound joy when she discovered she was pregnant. (11:00–12:25)
• But: The father was Matthew Farwell—her childhood police mentor, who was now married with children.

Grooming, Abuse, and Corruption Exposed

• The sexual relationship began when Sandra was 15 and Matthew was 25—illegal under Massachusetts law (the age of consent is 16).
• Farwell, under the guise of mentorship, groomed Sandra over years—initiating sexual abuse, manipulating her emotionally, pushing violent rape fantasies, and controlling her life with threats and surveillance. (13:25–16:50a)
• He forced Sandra to keep the relationship secret, threatened her, and reacted with rage and threats when she became pregnant. When Sandra demanded acknowledgment and involvement (birth certificate, child support, shared holidays), he became abusive. (19:10–21:18)

Notable Quote – On Grooming and Abuse

"Matthew first met Sandra in the Police Explorers program when she was 12 and he was 25. He took an interest in her immediately and posed as her mentor. But his intentions with Sandra were much darker than that, and in reality, his mentorship was just a cover for the fact that he was grooming her."
—Katie Ring (12:59)

Memorable Message Example

"Will you say, Matt, stop? I'm 13. I'm not ready for this. OMFG, please stop."
—Matthew Farwell, from text messages to Sandra (15:55)

Domestic Threats & Institutional Failure

• Farwell grew increasingly violent and controlling as Sandra asserted herself.
• In January 2021, after news of the illicit relationship was reported by a friend to Stoughton PD, instead of opening an investigation, department employees tipped off Farwell—directly contravening legal and ethical protocols, and evidencing corrupt protection of one of their own. (21:18–22:25)

Sandra’s Final Weeks & Mysterious Death

• Farwell continued to vacillate between abuse and kindness, attempting to regain Sandra’s secrecy and access to her apartment.

• On February 1st, 2021, Farwell visited Sandra at her apartment—for approximately 28 minutes, avoiding security cameras and wearing a medical mask, an unusual choice for him. Shortly after, he went to be with his wife in labor at the hospital. Sandra was never seen alive again. (23:29–25:00)

• Days later, after missed work, police found Sandra dead in her apartment. Details of the scene were suspicious:

  • The apartment was in disarray, as if someone had been searching for something
  • The bathroom (unlike the rest) was immaculate
  • Sandra’s body was arranged in a partial hanging, with her feet on the ground
  • No defensive wounds or clear struggle—noted, but family skepticism was immediate (25:10–26:30)

• Despite her making active future plans (preparing for the baby, celebrating milestones, excited social media posts), authorities ruled her death a suicide and closed the case. Her family remains adamant there was a cover-up, designed to protect Farwell and police colleagues. (26:30–27:56)

Notable Quote – On Institutional Complicity

"Everyone knows the last thing you should do if you get a call like this is tell the man who is being accused of this crime. The employee should have reported him immediately, but as we all know, police in Massachusetts have a tendency to cover for their own."
—Katie Ring (21:54)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On the failure of the system:
  "But the sad reality is that far too often the people who are supposed to protect us end up being the ones who cause the most harm."
  —Katie Ring (03:47)

• On Sandra’s tenacity:
  "But Sandra has pushed through adversity before and she knows that neither of them would want her to give up on her dreams."
  —Katie Ring (09:40)

• On the relationship's power dynamic:
  "For over a decade, Matthew held all of the power in the relationship. But they both knew that if the full details of their relationship came out, Matthew's life would be destroyed. And Sandra holds all of the cards."
  —Katie Ring (17:57)

• On the suspicious death investigation:
  "It just didn’t make sense. Plus, they knew about this mystery father who was married and not excited about this baby in the slightest. It doesn’t make sense to them that Sandra would do this."
  —Katie Ring (26:30)

Timeline & Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sandra's Background and Family History: 03:40–05:20
• Joining the Police Explorers and Meeting Farwell: 05:35–07:00
• Mother and Grandmother Both Die – Sandra Alone: 07:50–09:40
• Continued Rejection from Police Departments: 09:40–10:25
• Sandra Finds New Purpose, Gets Pregnant: 11:00–12:25
• Grooming and Abuse by Farwell: 12:59–16:50
• Blackmail and Pregnancy Ultimatum: 17:57–19:50
• Police Failures and Cover-up Examples: 21:18–22:25
• Sandra’s Last Days and Death: 23:29–27:56

Conclusion & Next Steps

Part 1 of this Night Watch deep dive into the Sandra Birchmore case lays out a harrowing account of a young woman persistently mistreated by both individuals and institutions meant to protect her. The official verdict on her 2021 death remains suicide, but layers of abuse, corruption, and unanswered questions persist, largely due to the courage of her family and a growing movement to uncover the truth. The episode ends by inviting listeners to share their thoughts, as Crime House Daily promises further coverage and analysis in upcoming nights.

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