Sandra Birchmore’s Death Certificate Now Says WHAT?!

Sandra Birchmore’s death certificate no longer lists the same conclusion that shaped the first investigation. The Massachusetts medical examiner initially ruled her death a suicide. On April 30, 2026, the office changed the manner of death to undetermined and revised the cause from asphyxia by hanging to asphyxia. 

That change comes as Matthew Farwell prepares to stand trial in federal court. His defense says Sandra killed herself, and Judge Denise Casper has ruled that jurors may hear evidence about Sandra’s mental-health struggles and suicidal thoughts. The prosecution says those records cannot be separated from the relationship and police environment surrounding her. 

Sandra entered the Stoughton Police Explorers program at 12. Prosecutors allege Farwell began an unlawful relationship with her at 15 while he was 27 and serving as an officer and program instructor. They allege he later killed her to prevent disclosure of his conduct. Farwell has pleaded not guilty. 

Stoughton’s own 2022 internal investigation found that Matthew Farwell, his twin brother William, and former deputy chief Robert Devine had inappropriate relationships with Sandra. All three left the department. William Farwell and Devine are not charged in the federal criminal case. 

Federal prosecutors say the first death investigation left major questions untouched. Their court filings say local officers reported “no foul play” to the medical examiner within about an hour of finding Sandra. Prosecutors say investigators did not compel Farwell’s DNA or seize his devices during that initial work. 

Years later, federal investigators returned to the physical and digital evidence. Prosecutors say Farwell was a major DNA contributor on the duffel-bag strap found at the scene. His lawyers dispute the significance of that result and continue to argue suicide. 

Farwell is charged with killing a witness and causing the death of Sandra’s unborn son. Jury selection is set for October 5, 2026. 

Listen Anywhere You Get Podcasts: https://pod.link/1655749292 

Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod?sub_confirmation=1 

Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/ 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ 
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ 
Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod 
X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod
 
This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice. 

#SandraBirchmore #MatthewFarwell #Birchmore #FarwellTrial #StoughtonPolice #FederalTrial #Massachusetts #JusticeForSandra #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers