3 Mass. Officers Have ‘Inappropriate Relations’ with Young Woman who Later Died by Suicide

Three former Massachusetts officers and two there individuals had ‘inappropriate relations’ with a pregnant woman, who died by suicide earlier this year, according to a 19-month internal investigation by the Stoughton Police Department.

One of the relationships began when the woman was just a 15-year old girl.

The findings were announced during a press conference held on Friday by Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara.

Sandra Birchmore died by suicide in February 2021 at the age of 23. Her body was discovered inside her canton apartment, after she failed to show up to work for several days.

“I am here to talk about today is her life and how she was failed by, manipulated by and used by people of authority that she admired and trusted right up until her final days,” McNamara told reporters.

It was not stated how far along into her pregnancy Birchmore was and her cause of death was redacted in the report. The unborn child’s father was not mentioned as well.

McNamara said, “A former officer, Matthew Farwell, was 27 when he began an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old Birchmore. Two other former officers, William Farwell (Matthew’s twin brother), and Robert C. Devine, also had inappropriate relationships with the girl. All three officers, were involved with the department’s Explorers program, which provides youth the chance to explore a law enforcement career by interacting with local police. Birchmore was part of the program from 2010 (when she was 13) through 2016.”

No charges have been filed in connection with the case.

Evidence shows Matthew Farwell in surveillance video footage at Birchmore’s apartment four days before she was found dead. He spent 20 minutes in her apartment, which notes Farwell was the last known person to see her alive.

Matthew Farwell confessed during his interview with investigators he knew Birchmore for about 10 years. His brother William also told detectives he and Birchmore began having an inappropriate relationship in 2019.

Meanwhile, Devine is accused of having inappropriate text conversations with Birchmore between late 2020 and Feb. 1, 2022.

The report alleges that all three violated department policy.

A fourth officer, whom McNamara did not identify, is still serving as an officer in another city. She added that the department’s police chief had been informed of the officer’s involvement.

A fifth person serving as a military recruiter was also identified during the investigation and the “appropriate chain of command” was notified.

McNamara said, “The Stoughton Police Department recommended that the state permanently revoke the men’s police licenses to ensure they’ll never be police officers anywhere.”

At the press conference McNamara concluded, “Ms. Birchmore was a vulnerable person who had one constant in her life: An unwavering admiration for police officers, of those serving in the military. People in uniform. People with oaths and duties to protect and serve. The admiration led her to form relationships with men who were willing to take advantage of her.”