Crime Junkie: MURDERED: Sandra Birchmore
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Ashley Flowers (w/ Brit Prawat)
Topic: The suspicious death of Sandra Birchmore and systemic abuse within a Massachusetts police department
Overview
This episode delves into the tragic and complex case of Sandra Birchmore, a 23-year-old woman found dead in her Canton, Massachusetts apartment in February 2021. While her death was quickly ruled a suicide by authorities, subsequent investigations revealed disturbing abuse and exploitation by police officers she admired—raising alarming questions about systemic corruption, the misuse of authority, and institutional failure to protect the vulnerable. Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat break down the investigation, the cover-up, evidence of grooming, and the eventual federal charges against a police officer, highlighting the significance and broader implications of Sandra’s story.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Case Introduction & Official Narrative
- Sandra Birchmore’s Death: Found on Feb 4, 2021—seated, duffel bag strap around her neck, no sign of forced entry, and ruled a suicide by both local and state police almost immediately.
- "Sandra was found in a seated position on the floor by her bedroom closet with this duffel bag strap wrapped... around her neck..." (Ashley Flowers, 04:44)
- Her Background: Grew up with significant hardship: absent father, mother with chronic illness, orphaned at 19, prior documented suicidal thoughts, and recent pregnancy by a married man.
2. Skepticism & Parallel Investigation
- Initial Doubts: Despite official findings, Stoughton PD Chief Donna McNamara launched an internal affairs investigation right after Sandra’s death, suspecting misconduct within her department (11:15).
- Explorer Program Connection: Sandra participated in the police-run Explorers youth program, led by officer Matthew Farwell—her presumed baby’s father.
3. Uncovering the Grooming & Abuse
- Matthew Farwell’s Admission: Interviewed by police, admitted he was at Sandra’s apartment the night she died but claimed innocence (13:30).
- Disturbing Text Messages:
- Internal affairs finds more than 32,000 messages, exposing that Matthew groomed Sandra from the age of 13. Their sexual relationship began when she was around 14 or 15—years before he claimed.
- Exchanges reveal coercion, manipulative power dynamics, and fantasies involving sexual violence.
- “So the sexual relationship actually began seven years before Matthew told police it began.” (Brit Prawat, 24:17)
- Notable texts about their first sexual encounter at Sandra’s age 14/15; explicit messages discussing choking, rape fantasies, and insistence on keeping secrets (23:36–25:39).
- Multiple Abusers: Investigation found Sandra also had sexual relationships with Matthew’s twin, William, and Robert Devine, another Explorers program leader (34:22–36:06).
4. Institutional Failure & Culture of Silence
- Redacted & Incomplete Reports: State police ignored or minimized evidence, focusing only on text messages post-2019, ignoring criminal patterns and grooming.
- No Charges: Despite credible allegations, the District Attorney declined to file criminal charges for statutory rape because Sandra—primary witness—was deceased (40:28).
- "Statutory rape would be difficult to prove, given that Sandra, the main witness, was dead." (Ashley Flowers, 40:32)
5. Physical Evidence That Questions Suicide
- Sandra’s family noticed clear signs that she was preparing for the future: pets left unattended, laundry partially done, and a snapped necklace with her hair—possible evidence of a struggle—was ignored by police (42:08).
6. The Fight for Justice
- Persistent Family and Investigative Reporting: Sandra’s family built community awareness and filed a wrongful death suit in 2022, accusing officers of a “scheme of grooming and misconduct."
- Chief McNamara's Actions: Forced officers' resignations, recommended decertification, and exposed the case at a press conference.
- "Through a sustained and deliberate combination of lies, deceit, and treachery, they violated the... core values of the Stoughton Police Department..." (Chief Donna McNamara, 38:15)
- FBI Steps In: In 2024, the FBI charged Matthew Farwell with the federal crime of killing a witness, bypassing state authorities.
- “All those heart to hearts... were, ‘his attempt to appease Birchmore until he could kill her,’ according to the FBI affidavit.” (Ashley Flowers, 46:24)
- Medical Re-examination: Forensic physician Dr. William Smock found Sandra’s injuries inconsistent with suicide by hanging—her death was homicide by asphyxia (48:08).
7. Recent Developments & Ongoing Lawsuits
- Federal Charges/Trial: Matthew Farwell indicted for murder; trial set for October 2026, being held without bail (50:02–50:33).
- DNA Twist: FBI concluded Matthew wasn’t the baby’s biological father—potentially complicating motive, but texts reveal he believed otherwise.
- Broader Risks: Ashley ties Sandra’s case to a pattern of abuse in police Explorer programs nationwide—teasing a future episode devoted to widespread failings and dangers within these youth initiatives (51:44–54:41).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Institutional Betrayal:
"Despair that an entire agency could look the other way when so much evidence was at their fingertips suggesting a boy in blue might have killed a young woman to protect his reputation."
—Ashley Flowers (04:23) -
Evidence of Grooming:
“I wish it had been a year sooner. After helping you study at the library... I absolutely would have you in 12. 2012.”
—Matthew (via text, 24:29; read by voice actor) -
Victim’s Vulnerability & Idolization of Police:
"Her unwavering admiration of police officers... led her to form relationships with men who were willing to take advantage of her.”
—Chief Donna McNamara (38:15) -
Family’s Refusal to Accept Suicide Determination:
“She had actually made plans to have someone look after her cats when she gave birth, which would’ve been like, seven months later.”
—Ashley Flowers (40:51) -
Crucial Investigative Breakthrough:
"The FBI analyzed the data from the health app on Sandra’s iPhone. Her last movements were recorded at 9:40pm—that is three minutes before Matthew was seen leaving her building."
—Ashley Flowers (47:12) -
Forensic Evidence of Homicide:
“In his deep dive through forensic research, [Dr. Smock] could not find a single documented case of a woman fracturing her hyoid bone in that kind of scenario. Instead, those fractures overwhelmingly show up in cases of manual strangulation… concludes, ‘the cause of Ms. Birchmore’s death is asphyxia and... homicide.’"
—Ashley Flowers (48:03) -
On Systemic Programmatic Risks:
"Maybe William and Matthew and Robert weren't a couple of bad apples... What if the program is designed in a way that actually attracts predators and puts children at risk?"
—Ashley Flowers (51:44)
Important Timestamps
- 02:54–04:23: Chief Donna McNamara’s opening statement
- 04:23–09:36: Ashley’s emotional reaction; details of Sandra’s death and background
- 11:15–13:30: Stoughton PD opens internal affairs, Farwell’s confession to visiting Sandra that night
- 20:02–26:39: Reading of the incriminating messages between Sandra and Matthew Farwell
- 29:31–31:27: Evidence of panic/cover-up, and “180-degree” change in Matthew’s tone
- 34:22–37:52: Revelations about multiple abusers in the department
- 38:15–40:12: Chief’s public condemnation (full quote)
- 42:08–43:41: Family evidence and the broken necklace
- 46:24–48:08: FBI affidavit details, forensic evidence of homicide
- 50:02–50:33: Federal charges against Farwell, upcoming trial
- 51:44–54:41: Pattern in police Explorer programs; preview of follow-up episode
Tone & Language
The hosts’ approach is blunt, direct, and impassioned, frequently expressing horror, disgust, and disbelief at both the abuse Sandra suffered and the institutional cover-up. Ashley repeatedly draws hope from the few "good eggs" fighting for justice inside broken systems but remains sharply critical, urging listeners to question and take action.
Conclusion
This episode exposes not only a personal tragedy and crime but also a systemic failure to protect the vulnerable from those in power. The hosts painstakingly detail how evidence of grooming, abuse, and homicide were downplayed or ignored by authorities intent on protecting their own. Only due to dogged efforts by Sandra’s family, a determined police chief, and eventually the FBI did any meaningful accountability commence. The episode closes with a call to educate and protect young people in programs designed to foster respect for law enforcement, previewing an upcoming exposé on the explorer program’s systemic issues.