Dateline NBC The Betrayal of Sandra Birchmore
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Sep 23, 2025 Donna McNamara, Chief of the Stoughton Police Department, shares her insights on the perplexing case of Sandra Birchmore, a young teacher’s aide who vanished amidst a nor'easter. They discuss the suspicious circumstances surrounding her death, including her complex relationship with a married man, Matthew Farwell. As McNamara reveals details of the internal investigation, she highlights shocking allegations against multiple officers, viral footage that reopened the case, and the troubling forensic findings that point away from suicide.
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Last Seen During The Nor'easter
- Sandra helped dismiss students the afternoon of a February nor'easter and seemed fine that day.
- When school reopened three days later she never showed up and officers found her body in her apartment.
Initial Police Finding At The Apartment
- Officers entered Sandra's bedroom and found her with a duffel strap around her neck.
- The responding officer's report initially described the scene as a hanging and a possible suicide.
Family's Doubts About Suicide
- Family members recalled recent normal texts and a happy demeanor from Sandra the night before.
- Her cousins said she was not someone they believed would take her own life.