Sandra Birchmore was 22 years old when she was found hanged in her apartment in Canton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, on February 6, 2021. Police quickly ruled her death a suicide — but behind that conclusion lay years of sexual abuse, misuse of power, and a coordinated effort to conceal the truth. The podcast True Crime Today now retells the case in an episode that places it within the broader context of institutional failure and corruption in American law enforcement.
From teenager to victim of trusted adults
The abuse began, according to investigators, when Sandra Birchmore was just 15 years old — around 2013. Officers from the Canton Police Department, all connected to a group known as the "Dirty Dozen," allegedly sexually exploited her over a period of years. Among the central figures is Robert J. Bettencourt, a former detective, whom prosecutors say began a sexual relationship with her while she was a minor. Also named are William B. Dever, a former sergeant, and Matthew T. Farwell, a former officer.
Dever and Farwell were indicted on June 28, 2024, on charges of conspiracy to sexually abuse a minor and tampering with evidence. Dever was sentenced to five years in prison; Farwell received three years along with restitution.
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Evidence was manipulated after Birchmore's death
Investigators determined that active attempts were made to tamper with the crime scene following Birchmore's death. A firearm was allegedly removed from the scene to support the suicide narrative. Kevin Albert — brother of the former Boston Police Department commissioner — was investigated specifically for this and admitted to the misconduct. He was stripped of his badge in 2023 but received no prison sentence, though he forfeited his pension.
In February 2022, Suffolk County District Attorney
