Is Sandra from Canton, Massachusetts?
Sandra grew up in Stoughton Massachusetts and lived there her whole life. Although she and her mom lived in an apartment nearby, she spent most of her childhood in the family home on Holbrook Street. Sandra moved to Canton on December 1, 2020, when her aunt sold the Holbrook Street house, just a couple of months before her death. It is important to note that she moved out of her family home on November 15, 2020 and stayed with a friend until her apartment was ready to move into on the 1st of December.
Why didn’t Sandra’s family know that anything strange was going on with her?
Most children who are being groomed never tell anyone. That is part of the manipulation that occurs during the grooming process. Also, who would think a child is going to be abused during a police-hosted program? Sandra’s mother thought the Stoughton Police Explorers Program was the safest place for Sandra - so much so, that her mom sent a letter to the SPD in April 2014 thanking them for placing her daughter in the program.
Was Officer Michael Lank of the Canton Police Department the first on the scene when Sandra was found?
No - Officer Lank was the Sergeant on duty. He was called to the scene shortly after Sandra’s body was found.
Was Trooper Michael Proctor a part of Sandra’s case?
Proctor is part of the Massachusetts State Police Unit under District Attorney (DA) Michael Morrissey’s office, which handled Sandra’s case. However, he was not directly involved in her case. It was Trooper Fanning and Trooper Dunne who conducted the investigation.
Why has no one been charged in Sandra’s case?
Unfortunately, Sandra’s death was ruled a suicide, so at this time, no one can be charged for her death. The Massachusetts Medical Examiner’s Office has to change her manner of death to homicide.
Despite the preponderance of evidence and outcome of the internal investigation resulting in discipline, the DA’s office maintains, “The investigation to date has not developed a prosecutable case against any individual.”
They further assert, “Despite allegations of statutory rape and other offenses, it would be difficult to secure convictions without victim testimony.”
Who are the three officers involved in Sandra Birchmore’s case?
The three SPD officers involved in Sandra’s case are Matthew Farwell, William Farwell, and Robert Devine. Sandra met them while in the Stoughton Police Explorers Program.
Who is the person shown in Sandra’s apartment lobby video footage?
On the video footage, investigators witnessed Matthew Farwell entering and exiting the elevator to Sandra’s apartment on February 1, 2021. He was the last person to see her alive. Sandra met Matthew when she entered the Explorer program at 13 years old. Matthew was an instructor in the Explorers program at the time. Evidence shows that after grooming her for a couple of years, he began an inappropriate relationship with Sandra when she was only 15 and he was 27, which would be statutory rape under Massachusetts law.
During the initial investigation, they discovered hundreds of messages and explicit exchanges between the two over several years. At the time of her death, Sandra was telling friends, family, and co-workers that Matthew was the father of her unborn child.
What about her abusers? Why haven’t they been charged?
When it comes to her abuse, the reason the police have given for not charging anyone is because Sandra is not here to testify.
What consequences do we know of so far for these officers?
Matthew and William Farwell, and Robert Devine resigned from the SPD and are decertified as police. The terms of Matthew’s voluntary agreement to avoid further action can be viewed via mass.gov under the POST commission’s database. William Farwell and Robert Devine’s cases are still in the POST process of adjudication.
All three SPD officers are named in a pending civil lawsuit brought by Birchmore's estate, which also names the town of Stoughton and the Stoughton police, alleging "wrongful death, negligence, negligent supervision, negligent retention, pain and suffering, and emotional distress" over what it described as a years-long grooming scheme.
Was the medical examiner in Sandra’s case the same as Officer John O’Keefe?
No, it was a different medical examiner - her name is Maria Del Mar Capo Martinez, M.D.
Which law enforcement agencies are involved in this case?
The law enforcement agencies involved include the Stoughton Police Department, Canton Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Norfolk County District Attorney, Massachusetts District Attorney, FBI, and U.S. Military Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
Who is the District Attorney in Sandra’s case?
Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey is the district attorney in Sandra’s case.
Are the police officers involved in Sandra’s case still certified?
Matthew Farwell is fully decertified in the state of Massachusetts. William Farwell and Robert Devine are temporarily decertified but are going through the process of being fully decertified through the POST Commission.
Why wasn’t Matthew Farwell’s DNA tested to see if he was the father of Sandra’s baby?
Matthew Farwell refused to give his DNA and the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) didn’t seek a warrant to compel him to give his DNA.
Can Sandra’s remains be exhumed to conduct a second autopsy?
No - unfortunately Sandra was cremated, so they can’t do another autopsy. In cases where someone has been cremated, an autopsy review can be conducted. A pathologist will look at photos from the original autopsy, and review the notes of the medical examiner and any other data to come to a conclusion.
What has changed recently?
Renowned pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden was hired by the family’s attorney to review Sandra’s original autopsy. As of June 24, 2024, he determined that it was a homicide. In a recent statement to the Stoughton community, Donna McNamara, the current chief of the Stoughton PD, said that “the report warrants further high-level examination.”
Additionally, contrary to the DA’s previous statements, a June 27, 2024, statement now indicates that, “This is an active, open investigation, and multiple law-enforcement agencies continue to review all information as it becomes available.”
Does Sandra’s family accept donations? How can people help?
No - at this time, Sandra’s immediate family is not accepting donations. However, if you would like to help, you can sign the petition at Change.org, join the Justice for Sandra Birchmore Facebook page, and come to the monthly standouts that are posted on the Facebook group page.
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions on Sandra's case and their answers. There is no doubt that this case is one of the most complicated cases to come along in a while. Let's take a look as the questions most people ask as we try to unfurl the many twists and turns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a question that's not posted here? Be sure to let us know using the contact form, below.
Due to the recent updates in this ever-changing case, we plan to add many more FAQs soon.
