‘Dateline’: Suicide or murder? The mysterious death of Sandra Birchmore
(NBC) — On an all-new Friday episode of “Dateline,” when a pregnant teacher’s aide, Sandra Birchmore is found dead in her Massachusetts home, investigators rule her death a suicide, but an investigation leads to something more sinister.
Here is a preview of Andrea Canning’s report:
23-year-old Sandra Birchmore’s body had been taken to the chief medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.
MICHELLE MCPHEE: To the responding officers, this just looked like somebody who had taken their own life.
BARBARA WRIGHT: I knew she wouldn’t do that. I just knew it.
The quest to uncover the truth had only just begun.
CHERYL CARLSON: She came right into my office and said, “I just want you to know, I’m pregnant.”
JUSTINA: She proceeded to tell us that the father of the baby was married.
Sandra told her cousins that he was also a police officer.
ANGELIQUE PIROZZI: My gut was telling me that her pregnancy was a ticking time bomb for him.
Chief McNamara leapt into action with an investigation of her own.
ANDREA CANNING: Your internal affairs investigation revealed a bombshell about what else was going on in Sandra Birchmore’s life.
DONNA MCNAMARA: It is so unusual and disturbing.
But would the explosive findings be enough to jumpstart a murder investigation? It would take a high-profile trial in the same county to shine a bright light on Sandra’s death.
Watch “Dateline: The Betrayal of Sandra Birchmore” Friday at 10 p.m. on NBC4.
About ‘Dateline’
“Dateline NBC” is the longest-running series in NBC primetime history and is in its 33rd season. Dateline is anchored by Lester Holt and features correspondents Blayne Alexander, Andrea Canning, Josh Mankiewicz, Keith Morrison and Dennis Murphy.
The stories range from compelling mysteries to powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. When major news breaks, they go to the scene, putting the pieces together to bring the viewer the full picture. And in every story they tell, they help the real people who lived the events share their journeys with the viewer.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.