Divided Minds

Stoughton’s police chief orders an internal investigation into Sandra Birchmore’s ties to the department, and to the men inside it. What it uncovers changes not only the story of Sandra’s death, but the story of her life. Listen to What Happened to Sandra Birchmore on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus episode, Melissa talks with Laura Crimaldi — a reporter for The Boston Globe — who is covering a contemporary case with eerie similarities to Sandy Beal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Beal family is faced with a daunting task that threatens to divide them. Sandy’s final words are cast in a new light.  If you or someone you know is considering self-harm, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or text "STRENGTH" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandy’s cousin Kim meets with a cold case detective who offers her something unexpected - and transformative. If you or someone you know is considering self-harm, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or text "STRENGTH" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Beals' distrust of police leaves even the most basic facts about Sandy's case up for interpretation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandy’s newly released police file reveals that she sought help from law enforcement months before her death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The exact nature of Sandy's relationships with local police officers comes under new scrutiny.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A journal entry sheds light on Sandy’s desires to be a police officer. When she suddenly dies, the homicide detective tasked with her case is inundated with strange phone calls. If you or someone you know is considering self-harm, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or text "STRENGTH" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unbeknownst to her parents, Sandy Beal was secretly dating a married state trooper at the time of her death. The letter she left him in her car leaves her family with more questions than answers. If you or someone you know is considering self-harm, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or text "STRENGTH" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than forty years, Kim Parmer has been haunted by the prospect that someone murdered her cousin, Sandy Beal, in 1977. Award-winning reporter Melissa Jeltsen investigates the mysterious death of a teenage girl in Prince George's County, Maryland.  If you or someone you know is considering self-harm, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or text "STRENGTH" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. The story that brought Kim to Melissa See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.