“The Betrayal of Sandra Birchmore”: Dateline Reports September 19 2025

NBC’s Dateline returns with a powerful and disturbing new episode titled “The Betrayal of Sandra Birchmore”, reported by Andrea Canning. The episode delves into the tragic and controversial death of 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore, a case that has raised serious questions about police misconduct, grooming of minors, and institutional failure in Massachusetts law enforcement.

Sandra Birchmore was found dead in her apartment in Canton, Massachusetts, on February 4, 2021. Initially labeled a suicide, the case lay dormant until investigative journalism and a renewed federal inquiry unearthed troubling evidence pointing to homicide. The investigation centers on former Stoughton Police Detective Matthew Farwell and a deeply inappropriate relationship that began when Sandra was just a child.

Sandra Birchmore’s Early Life and Connection to Police

Sandra Birchmore grew up in Stoughton, Massachusetts, under difficult circumstances. Raised by a chronically ill single mother, she entered the Stoughton Police Explorers program at age 12. This program was intended to foster interest in law enforcement careers among local youth. However, it was through this very program that Sandra met then-25-year-old Officer Matthew Farwell.

Farwell, who had himself once been a participant in the same program, took on a mentoring role with Sandra. Federal prosecutors and Sandra’s family allege that Farwell used this position of trust and authority to begin grooming her, eventually leading to a secretive and exploitative relationship that lasted nearly a decade.

The Fatal Night and the Aftermath

On February 4, 2021, Sandra’s body was discovered in her apartment. She was pregnant and believed the baby’s father to be Matthew Farwell. The initial ruling of suicide by asphyxiation did not sit right with her family, who described Sandra as hopeful and excited about her future. She was working as a teaching assistant and taking nursing courses at the time of her death.

Despite the early ruling, surveillance footage later revealed that Farwell had entered her apartment on February 1, 2021, and spent roughly 20 minutes there. Prosecutors now believe this was the moment he strangled her and staged the scene to look like a suicide. It would take years before the case was reopened, largely due to the efforts of Sandra’s family and journalist Laura Crimaldi of The Boston Globe.

The Role of Matthew Farwell and Federal Charges

Matthew Farwell was federally indicted in August 2024, accused of killing Sandra to hide their longstanding relationship and her pregnancy. While DNA tests later excluded him as the father of her unborn child, investigators allege that Farwell feared exposure of the relationship could end his career and marriage.

Court records document thousands of messages between Farwell and Sandra dating back to when she was just 15. The federal indictment accuses Farwell of abusing his authority and maintaining a coercive dynamic over Sandra for years. He has pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial.

Additional Allegations Against Other Officers

Matthew Farwell is not the only law enforcement official under scrutiny. His twin brother, William Farwell, and former Stoughton Police Deputy Chief Robert Devine have also been implicated in a pattern of misconduct. Sandra’s estate filed a wrongful death suit that alleges both men had sexual contact with Sandra once she was an adult. Records also show that William exchanged sexually explicit texts and videos with her in 2020.

Devine, who led the Explorers program during Sandra’s participation, is accused of having a sexual encounter with her in December 2020, while he was on duty. He also allegedly contacted her on the day of her death. Devine has denied the accusations but retired during an internal investigation in 2022 and is no longer certified to work in law enforcement.

Institutional Failure and Community Impact

The case has cast a harsh spotlight on the Stoughton Police Department and how it handled—or failed to handle—its internal oversight. The Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Commission has cited a pattern of abuse of power and unprofessional conduct across several individuals in the department. The culture of silence and lack of accountability is at the core of the public’s outrage and Sandra’s family’s quest for justice.

The case has been compared to the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe and the controversial Karen Read trial, both of which raised concerns about police transparency and internal investigations. Sandra’s death is now seen as a turning point for broader reform in how law enforcement handles sexual misconduct and abuse of authority.

Journalism’s Role in Reopening the Case

Journalist Laura Crimaldi of The Boston Globe played a pivotal role in reopening the investigation into Sandra Birchmore’s death. Her exhaustive reporting included over 100 public records requests, interviews with family and friends, and review of extensive court documents. Her reporting was instrumental in prompting federal authorities to re-examine the case.

Crimaldi’s work, which culminated in a 15,000-word exposé co-authored with Yvonne Abraham, earned her the prestigious Al Nakkula Award for Police Reporting in 2025. Her investigation not only led to renewed public interest but also exposed systemic issues within the Stoughton Police Department.

The Ongoing Legal Proceedings

As of September 2025, only Matthew Farwell has been criminally charged in connection with Sandra Birchmore’s death. He faces federal charges of killing a witness or victim, and his trial has not yet begun. The wrongful death suit filed by Sandra’s family remains active, targeting Farwell, his brother William, and Robert Devine.

The POST Commission continues to hold disciplinary proceedings against Devine and other officers. These hearings have revealed new details, including the use of pseudonyms to contact Sandra and alleged efforts to cover up misconduct. The legal outcomes of these proceedings could influence the broader conversation about police accountability in Massachusetts.

Conclusion

Dateline NBC’s “The Betrayal of Sandra Birchmore” offers a comprehensive and unsettling look into how a young woman’s life was manipulated and ultimately lost due to a failure of accountability within a police department that should have protected her. The episode captures the emotional weight of a family’s tireless pursuit of truth and the disturbing institutional gaps that allowed this tragedy to unfold.

Sandra’s story stands as a sobering reminder of the consequences of unchecked power and the importance of investigative journalism in exposing the truth. As the legal process continues, the episode ensures that Sandra Birchmore’s voice—and the voices of others failed by the system—are not forgotten.