Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast

When Sandra Birchmore was 12, she joined a Stoughton, Massachusetts police youth program because she hoped to become an officer herself. What began as trust in the adults around her became the basis for years of alleged exploitation by men connected to the program.

In 2021, Sandra was found dead in her Canton apartment while pregnant with her first child. Her death was initially ruled a suicide. Federal prosecutors now allege that former Stoughton Police Officer Matthew Farwell, who had known Sandra through the Police Explorers program, strangled her and staged the scene to look like a suicide. They allege he did so to prevent Sandra from disclosing information about his conduct to law enforcement.

As of October 7, 2026, jury selection is underway in Matthew's federal trial. He has pleaded not guilty, and his defense maintains that Sandra died by suicide. In this episode, we trace Sandra's life, the Police Explorers program, the original investigation, and the case now being argued in federal court.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday!

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Sources:

Former Massachusetts Police Officer Arrested in Connection with Murder of Young Woman | United States Department of Justice

The Betrayal of Sandra Birchmore

The Sandra Birchmore Case Details Get Worse

The Sandra Birchmore Case: Ex Stoughton Police Detective Indicted on Murder Charges

Could Sandra Birchmore’s Alleged Killer Be Charged with Larceny?

Family of former Stoughton police explorer files wrongful death lawsuit against 3 ex-officers

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25079501/farwellindictment.pdf

https://www.bostonmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/usa_v._matthew_farwell_-_detention_affidavit_2.pdf

​​A timeline of Sandra Birchmore's relationship with her alleged killer, former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell

Sexual relationship between Stoughton police officer and minor detailed in report - masslive.com

Matthew Farwell, charged in Sandra Birchmore's death, to remain in custody until trial - CBS Boston

Matthew Farwell to remain behind bars until trial on charges in death of Sandra Birchmore - Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

William Farwell, brother of man charged with killing Sandra Birchmore, has police certification revoked - CBS Boston

Former Stoughton deputy chief Robert Devine decertified over misconduct allegations | GBH

Sandra Birchmore’s mental health history allowed in Matthew Farwell trial

Karen Read's attorneys seek unredacted documents from Sandra Birchmore death investigation - CBS Boston

Sandra Birchmore case records

https://crimetimelines.com/sandra-birchmore-timeline/

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In 1983, Sam and Judith Haney were preparing to install a swimming pool behind their home in the Newport subdivision of Crosby, Texas, when they uncovered two human graves. The discovery led them to the Black Hope Addition Graveyard, a largely forgotten African American cemetery whose boundaries and burial records had faded from public view. Court records later confirmed that Purcell Company, Inc.'s field superintendent had been warned about a possible grave during construction and had ordered the marked area cleared.

After the graves were found, the Haneys and other Newport residents began sharing unsettling accounts of unexplained noises, flickering appliances, shadows, and an overwhelming feeling that something was wrong in their homes. Those reports remain personal accounts, not independently verifiable findings. We follow the documented discovery, the neighborhood's haunting stories, and the legal battle that reached the Texas Supreme Court, while considering what it means when a community's lost burial ground is rediscovered beneath a new neighborhood.

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https://blog.hmns.org/2016/10/dead-things-that-might-be-under-your-house-part-3-the-black-hope-horror/

https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19910703-1991-07-03-9107020204-story.html

https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Black-Hope-horror-doesn-t-haunt-this-hood-9565799.php

https://www.newspapers.com/image/6328483/?terms=black%20hope%20cemetery&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/432137176/?terms=black%20hope%20cemetery&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/587255480/?terms=%22Judith%20Haney%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/587810697/?terms=black%20hope%20cemetery&match=1

https://unsolved.com/gallery/black-hope-curse/

https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/tv/unsolved-mysteries/6560804523973069112/seasons/12/episodes/episode-7-episode-7/3bd5e703-4112-364d-966c-6e5d08627632

https://aaregistry.org/story/black-slave-cemeteries-in-america-a-story/

http://www.virginiaplaces.org/population/enslavedgrave.html

http://www.virginiaplaces.org/population/africanamericancemetery.html

https://www.sciway.net/hist/chicora/gravematters-1.html

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/africanamerican-grave-markers

https://forum.savingplaces.org/blogs/special-contributor/2016/06/02/recovering-and-preserving-african-american-cemeteries

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/growing-movement-black-cemeteries-rcna15566

https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/african-american-cemeteries-destruction/

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-landrights-race-trfn/the-race-to-save-african-american-cemeteries-from-being-erased-idUSKCN2DW01A

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/why-do-people-believe-in-ghosts/379072/

https://www.livescience.com/52641-science-of-paranormal-ghosts.html

https://today.yougov.com/topics/society/articles-reports/2022/10/20/americans-describe-paranormal-encounters-poll

https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/ghosts

https://casetext.com/case/haney-v-purcell-co-inc

https://casetext.com/case/haney-v-purcell-co-inc-

https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/supreme-court/1989/c-7949.html

https://www.casem

https://blog.hmns.org/2016/10/dead-things-that-might-be-under-your-house-part-3-the-black-hope-horror/

https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19910703-1991-07-03-9107020204-story.html

https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Black-Hope-horror-doesn-t-haunt-this-hood-9565799.php

https://www.newspapers.com/image/6328483/?terms=black%20hope%20cemetery&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/432137176/?terms=black%20hope%20cemetery&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/587255480/?terms=%22Judith%20Haney%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/587810697/?terms=black%20hope%20cemetery&match=1

https://unsolved.com/gallery/black-hope-curse/

https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/tv/unsolved-mysteries/6560804523973069112/seasons/12/episodes/episode-7-episode-7/3bd5e703-4112-364d-966c-6e5d08627632

https://aaregistry.org/story/black-slave-cemeteries-in-america-a-story/

http://www.virginiaplaces.org/population/enslavedgrave.html

http://www.virginiaplaces.org/population/africanamericancemetery.html

https://www.sciway.net/hist/chicora/gravematters-1.html

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/africanamerican-grave-markers

https://forum.savingplaces.org/blogs/special-contributor/2016/06/02/recovering-and-preserving-african-american-cemeteries

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/growing-movement-black-cemeteries-rcna15566

https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/african-american-cemeteries-destruction/

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-landrights-race-trfn/the-race-to-save-african-american-cemeteries-from-being-erased-idUSKCN2DW01A

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/why-do-people-believe-in-ghosts/379072/

https://www.livescience.com/52641-science-of-paranormal-ghosts.html

https://today.yougov.com/society/articles/44143-americans-describe-paranormal-encounters-poll

https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/ghosts

https://casetext.com/case/haney-v-purcell-co-inc

https://casetext.com/case/haney-v-purcell-co-inc-

https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/supreme-court/1989/c-7949.html

https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/59148956add7b049345010db

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1207164572/?match=1&terms=%22Black%20Hope%20Horror%22%20williams

https://www.newspapers.com/image/112488089/?match=1&terms=Grave%20Secrets%3A%20The%20Legacy%20of%20Hilltop%20Drive

https://www.newspapers.com/image/528141740/?match=1&terms=%22Black%20Hope%20Horror%22%20williams

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1204728502/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1205424778/?match=1&terms=%22Black%20Hope%22%20cemetery%20sam%20judy%20haney%20supreme%20court

https://www.newspapers.com/image/350766163/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1204705228/?match=1&terms=%22Black%20Hope%20Horror%22%20williams

https://search.worldcat.org/title/The-black-hope-horror-%3A-the-true-story-of-a-haunting/oclc/760946601

https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Black_Hope_Horror.html?id=7W1WAAAAYAAJ

https://www.davidselby.com/photos/grave_secrets.htm

https://www.mountvernon.org/preservation/archaeology/african-american-burial-ground

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/building-an-african-american-community-at-hot-springs.htm

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/03/14/how-the-uss-black-cemeteries-are-being-made-visible-once-more

https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/chronicles/2023/antoinette-jackson-featured-on-60-minutes.aspx

https://blackcemeterynetwork.org/leadership

https://savingplaces.org/press-center/media-resources/african-american-burial-grounds-preservation-act-passes-congress

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This is a new follow up to last week’s episode on Ashley Flynn’s death. We cover the trial of her husband, Caleb Flynn. Prosecutors argued that Caleb staged a home invasion after killing Ashley, while the defense maintained the state had built a circumstantial case around an affair, with no recovered murder weapon, eyewitness, or gunshot residue evidence.

Over eight days of proceedings, the jury heard testimony about the garage door, the missing 9 mm handgun, phone and Apple Watch data, and more than 107,000 messages between Caleb and Alleigha Botner. On September 29, 2026, the jury found Caleb guilty on all nine felony counts and the firearm specifications. Sentencing is scheduled for October 5, and the defense has indicated it intends to appeal.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday!

Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries

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Thank you to this week's sponsors!

To grab your Paka hoodie, go to www.PAKAapparel.com.

Get compounded GLP-1s for $59 a month from Collective. It's the same price every dose and you don’t have to prepay in advance to get the lowest price in the country. Visit collective.org/MOMS.

Sources:

ABC News: Jury deliberations underway in murder trial of former ‘American Idol’ contestant (Sept. 29, 2026.)

https://abcnews.com/US/caleb-flynn-former-american-idol-contestant-murder-trial-wife-closing-arguments/story?id=136849417

CNN: Closings wrap in murder trial of former “American Idol” contestant Caleb Flynn (Sept. 29, 2026.)

https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/29/us/caleb-flynn-murder-trial

CNN live coverage: Prosecutors highlight Caleb Flynn’s affair in opening statement (Sept. 18, 2026.)

https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/18/us/live-news/caleb-flynn-trial-opening-statements

Tipp Gazette: Flynn trial day one: Stunning text messages subject of opening statements (Sept. 2026.)

https://www.tippgazette.com/news/2026/9/flynn-trial-day-one-stunning-text-messages-subject-of-opening-statements

WLWT: Jurors begin deliberations in Caleb Flynn trial (updated Sept. 29, 2026.)

https://www.wlwt.com/article/verdict-watch-jury-deliberations-caleb-flynn-murder-trial/73939967

Dayton Daily News: What to know from Day 2 of testimony (Sept. 21, 2026.)

https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/crime/caleb-flynn-murder-trial-what-to-know-from-day-2-of-testimony/article_4d1d397c-f471-5f72-aacc-2ca9edfd2318.html

Tipp Gazette: Tipp officers, paramedic discuss response to home following Ashley Flynn’s death (Sept. 18, 2026.)

https://www.tippgazette.com/news/2026/9/flynn-trial-day-two-tipp-officers-paramedic-discuss-response-to-home-following-ashley-flynns-death

WHIO: Law enforcement, coroner’s office testify in Caleb Flynn murder trial (Sept. 21, 2026.)

https://www.whio.com/news/local/law-enforcement-coroners-office-testify-caleb-flynn-murder-trial/PB4HFXDS7NDYLEO6PRWXIL6DX4/

Journal-News: Family shocked by Ashley Flynn’s death, husband’s affair (Sept. 22, 2026.)

https://www.journal-news.com/local/crime/caleb-flynn-murder-trial-updates-alleged-mistress-loses-laptop-cellphone-tipp-city-captain-says/article_2f891ce9-4693-53d1-b726-7160725f8ce4.html

Courtroom Insider: Live updates from forensics experts expected on day 3 (Sept. 22, 2026.)

https://www.courtroominsider.com/2026/09/live-updates-testimony-from-forensics-experts-expected-on-day-3-of-caleb-flynns-murder-trial

CNN: Caleb Flynn’s daughters were “nervous” after speaking with him, grandmother testifies (Sept. 22, 2026.)

https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/22/us/caleb-flynn-trial-grandmother-testifies

WHIO: Prosecution calls more witnesses on Day 5 (Sept. 23, 2026.)

https://www.whio.com/news/local/prosecution-call-more-witnesses-day-5-caleb-flynn-trial/VHP7TZT6FFHXLPQRYDKHIYOZTM/

WDTN: Search for murder weapon focus of Caleb Flynn morning testimony (Sept. 23, 2026.)

https://www.wdtn.com/news/search-for-murder-weapon-focus-of-caleb-flynn-morning-testimony/

Courtroom feed: Caleb Flynn Murder Trial — Day 5 (Sept. 23, 2026.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw-Mx1247-o

Dayton Daily News: Text messages reveal mistress jealous, insecure about wife (Sept. 24, 2026.)

https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/crime/caleb-flynn-murder-trial-text-messages-reveal-mistress-jealous-insecure-about-wife/article_0bba189a-c2cd-583c-ab91-970e9d8aaa4f.html

CNN: Caleb Flynn’s former mistress took the stand at his murder trial (Sept. 24, 2026.)

https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/24/us/caleb-flynn-murder-trial

WHIO: Mistress of Caleb Flynn continues testimony on Day 6 (Sept. 24, 2026.)

https://www.whio.com/news/local/mistress-caleb-flynn-continues-testimony-day-6-murder-trial/XA7CCI7T5VDPVHDQFL57YWIIRM/

Springfield News-Sun: Digital evidence, police interviews take center stage (Sept. 25, 2026.)

https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/crime/caleb-flynn-murder-trial-we-expect-our-staff-to-behave-in-christian-ways-lead-pastor/article_a4fbaf47-9481-5747-8f27-6540d1de8b25.html

WLWT: Jurors hear texts from Ashley’s phone, watch Caleb Flynn police interviews (Sept. 25, 2026.)

https://www.wlwt.com/article/jurors-hear-texts-ashley-phone-caleb-flynn-police-interviews/73895080

Dayton 24/7 Now: Digital evidence, police interviews take center stage (Sept. 25, 2026.)

https://dayton247now.com/news/local/digital-evidence-police-interviews-take-center-stage-in-caleb-flynn-murder-trial

Dayton Daily News: Closing arguments set after final testimony (Sept. 28, 2026.)

https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/crime/caleb-flynn-murder-trial-day-7-of-testimony-begins-this-morning/article_47804501-902d-4460-90ff-52fedcc0c6bc.html

WLWT: Both sides rest after testimony focuses on digital evidence (Sept. 28, 2026.)

https://www.wlwt.com/article/caleb-flynn-murder-trial-defense-prosecution-rest-cases/73932093

ABC News: Caleb Flynn denies killing wife in police interview played at trial (Sept. 28, 2026.)

https://abcnews.com/US/caleb-flynn-denies-killing-wife-police-interview-played/story?id=136829023

WHIO courtroom feed: September 28 proceedings (Sept. 28, 2026.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FPCqBGiZ5I

WDTN: Caleb Flynn defense rests without calling any witnesses (Sept. 28, 2026.)

https://www.wdtn.com/news/caleb-flynn/caleb-flynn-defense-surprisingly-rests-without-calling-any-witnesses/

Dayton Daily News: “The bottom line is he did it,” prosecutor says (Sept. 29, 2026.)

https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/crime/caleb-flynn-murder-trial-the-bottom-line-is-he-did-it-prosecutor-says/article_673d3137-c07f-4f3d-90f5-5969d68ee90b.html

Dayton Daily News: Deliberations to begin soon (Sept. 29, 2026.)

https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/crime/caleb-flynn-murder-trial-deliberations-to-begin-soon/article_673d3137-c07f-4f3d-90f5-5969d68ee90b.html

WLWT: Caleb Flynn found guilty on all charges in wife’s death (updated Sept. 29, 2026.)

https://www.wlwt.com/article/verdict-watch-jury-deliberations-caleb-flynn-murder-trial/73939967

NBC News: Caleb Flynn, former ‘American Idol’ singer, found guilty of wife’s murder (updated Sept. 29, 2026.)

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jury-reaches-verdict-case-caleb-flynn-american-idol-singer-charged-wif-rcna600448

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In late 2019, 69 year old Patricia Bennett suddenly stopped answering calls from her family. Messages continued coming from her phone, but her grandson John knew something was wrong. The wording did not sound like Patricia, and no matter how often he asked, he could not hear her voice.

As police checked the shifting stories told by Patricia’s daughter, Carol Rey, the lies began to unravel. Patricia was not at her sister’s house or at the doctor’s office, and her phone was found hidden inside the home. We cover Patricia’s disappearance, John’s persistence, and the investigation that revealed what had happened to her.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday!

Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries

Join our Patreon: patreon.com/momsandmysteries

Visit our website: momsandmysteries.com

Thank you to this week's sponsors!

Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/moms. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Sources:

https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/roseville-woman-accused-of-killing-mom-also-suspected-spending-victims-money

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/01/17/roseville-woman-faces-charges-after-killing-mother-stuffing-her-in-storage-tub-last-year/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9As-xUFnrE

https://www.newspapers.com/image/629566457/

https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/05/20/roseville-woman-pleads-to-second-degree-murder-for-shooting-mother/

https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/07/07/roseville-woman-who-killed-mother-sentenced-to-20-years/

https://mdocweb.state.mi.us/OTIS2/Profile

https://www.verheyden.org/obituaries/Patricia-Ann-Bennett?obId=28390095

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5mxhCjqc0c

https://courtpa.macombgov.org/eservices/searchresults.page?x=cEkyA7QREx46zbeQv8SGOrfSS4pSZO8rCqcRL34Jt0kugJZRRFLW2viYgYy67zpd6lU90QaVJ65G9FBNo6D6Yw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XmKxmvINOA

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the archive, we are revisiting the disappearance of former NBA player Bison Dele.In July 2002, Bison Dele, his girlfriend Serena Karlan, and boat captain Bertrand Saldo vanished while sailing through the South Pacific. Bison’s older brother, Miles Dabord, was the only person to return from the trip. When he arrived in Tahiti, Bison’s catamaran had been repainted and renamed.

As investigators searched for answers, they uncovered evidence that someone had been using Bison’s identity after he disappeared. Authorities came to believe Miles was responsible for the deaths of Bison, Serena, and Bertrand, but he died later that year before the case could ever be resolved in court. No bodies were found, and what happened aboard that boat remains a mystery.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday!

Follow us on Instagram: @momsandmysteries

Join our Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/momsandmysteries⁠

Visit our website: ⁠momsandmysteries.com⁠

#TrueCrime #Podcast #FloridaMoms #BisonDele #NBA #MissingAtSea #SouthPacific #MilesDabord #UnsolvedMystery
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