Massachusetts Police Chief Speaks Out on Sandra Birchmore Case: Ex-Detective Charged with Murder

By Ronald Rodriguez Last updated Sep 20, 2025

Stoughton, MA – The tragic case of Sandra Birchmore, a young woman who endured years of abuse within a police youth program, has shaken the Massachusetts town of Stoughton. Now, former detective Matthew Farwell stands accused of sexually exploiting Birchmore, strangling her, and staging her death as a suicide. For the first time, Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara has publicly addressed the harrowing details uncovered during the investigation, offering an apology and calling for accountability.Birchmore, a 23-year-old teacher’s assistant and expectant mother, had long admired law enforcement before she died in early 2021. The revelations of her exploitation by officers once trusted to protect her have cast a somber shadow over the local police department and prompted calls for systemic reform.

The Dark Unfolding of Sandra Birchmore’s Story

Sandra Birchmore was found dead on February 4, 2021, in what local authorities initially ruled a suicide. The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner supported this finding after concluding that Birchmore died by hanging. However, doubt lingered among her family and community when new allegations surfaced concerning a web of inappropriate relationships between Birchmore and multiple Stoughton police officers.

Matthew Farwell, then 39, was a detective and firearms instructor who had groomed Birchmore since she was a minor in the police explorer program.
Two other former officers, William Farwell (Matthew’s twin) and Robert Devine, were accused of having inappropriate relations with Birchmore, though neither faced criminal charges.
All three resigned amid internal investigations revealing a “sustained and deliberate combination of lies, deceit and treachery” within the department.

Chief McNamara emphasized the betrayal experienced by Birchmore:

“I am sorry that she was treated so horrifically by three men from my department. She didn’t deserve that. They dehumanized her. It’s vile.”

The Investigation and Internal Revelations

McNamara described her shock upon discovering the extent of misconduct spanning years within her department. Despite working alongside Matthew Farwell for over a decade, she was unaware of his exploitation of an impressionable young woman in the program he once helped lead.

Investigators uncovered disturbing evidence including:

Sexual relations between Matthew Farwell and Birchmore beginning when she was just 15 years old.
Sexual communications and exchanges involving William Farwell and Birchmore.
Social media messages allegedly from Robert Devine, using a pseudonymous account, soliciting inappropriate encounters.

McNamara’s internal probe, backed by thousands of reviewed messages, led to all three officers being placed on leave and recommended for permanent decertification from law enforcement in Massachusetts.

Journalist Michele McPhee, who has extensively covered the case, praised the chief for confronting these issues openly:

“We’re talking about police officials who were supposed to be protecting this young woman but instead did quite the opposite. It was a bold move to commission the report and not brush it under the rug at all.”

Dispute Over Death Ruling and Pursuit of Justice

While official medical examination concluded Birchmore’s death was a suicide, her family and Chief McNamara have voiced strong skepticism. A key detail from the federal detention memo illuminated that, just days before Birchmore died, a friend reported sexual misconduct involving Matthew Farwell to the police department.

Farwell was indicted in August 2024 on charges that include killing Birchmore after she revealed she was pregnant with his child. Although DNA testing reportedly showed he was not the father, prosecutors allege he strangled her and manipulated the crime scene to mimic a suicide.

Farwell denies the murder charge and claims the relationship began when Birchmore was an adult. However, McNamara believes the incident reported on January 20, 2021, may have triggered the fatal chain of events.

The ongoing federal case awaits trial, while civil litigation against the department for wrongful death and negligent supervision continues.

For a full detailed report on this case, visit NBC News.

Looking Forward: Accountability and Reform

Chief McNamara’s candid admissions and actions indicate a commitment to addressing entrenched issues within her department and ensuring that those responsible face consequences.

All three implicated officers are recommended for decertification, preventing future law enforcement employment.
The department has cooperated fully with federal authorities in the murder investigation.
Public trust demands increased oversight and systemic changes to protect vulnerable individuals in police programs.

Reflecting on the somber episode, McNamara expressed hope that justice for Sandra Birchmore would also serve as a catalyst for deeper reform in policing standards.

“We owe it to Sandra and to every young person who trusts us to do better.”