Nov. 2024, From the desk of Sam Berlin, Luna Shark provides updates on several ongoing and shocking investigations. 

As we enter the holiday season, we want to express our sincerest gratitude for all of you. Without you, we would not be able to pursue this important work.

But while the holiday season is supposed to be a relaxing time to spend with family, we want to acknowledge that this is a difficult time for many families that are unable to celebrate with their loved ones. We are sending love to the families of victims of the horrific crimes we cover. 

This month we’re bringing the death of Jennifer Kirk to your attention, a woman who was discovered deceased on an Alaskan Mayor’s property, and the open letter written to concerned residents.

We also have updates this month on the death investigation of Sandra Birchmore out of Canton, Massachusetts. And finally, another case we’ve been following out of Mississippi: a bribery case and alleged murder-for-hire plot. 

As always, if there is a specific case you would like us to follow do not hesitate to reach out on discord, by emailing [email protected] or on social media. 

Update on Sandra Birchmore Death Investigation, Stoughton, MA 

Another one of the law enforcement officers accused of having inappropriate contact with Sandra Birchmore prior to her death in 2021 is awaiting answers about his police certification. 

Robert Devine, a former Stoughton Police Officer, attended a virtual hearing with the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission earlier this month to decide whether he will remain a certified officer following accusations against him. 

While Devine awaits news about his possible decertification, his status remains “not certified” according to Boston 25 News. 

Another former police officer, Matthew Farwell, faced a federal indictment last month after he was accused of murdering 23-year-old Birchmore and her unborn child in January 2021.

An internal investigation also found former officer William Farwell, Matthew Farwell’s twin brother, of having an inappropriate relationship and exchanging sexually explicit messages with Birchmore. William Farwell was decertified by the police department last month. 

In September, the POST Commission announced William’s voluntary police decertification.  

Birchmore, 23, was discovered deceased in her Canton apartment from what officials ruled a death by suicide on Feb. 4, 2021. However, former Stoughton Police Officer Matthew Farwell was recently arrested and federally charged with Birchmore’s murder. 

The sexual relationship allegedly continued until her death in 2021. You can hear more about this in Cup of Justice Episodes 96 and 97, and on True Sunlight Podcast Episode 64.

The federal indictment alleges that several of these sexual encounters occurred inside Farwell’s police vehicle while he was on duty and receiving wages. 

Following his federal indictment, the District Court of Massachusetts filed a memorandum requesting that Farwell stay in detention while he awaits trial due to, “a serious risk that, if released, the defendant will obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice.”

You can read more about the allegations in July’s Corruption Watchlist

Canton Public Official Accused of Bribery and Murder-for-Hire, Canton, MS

The investigation into a 2021 bribery case out of Canton, Mississippi was revamped last month when U.S. prosecutors introduced more evidence, including an alleged murder-for-hire plot.

Rudy Warnock, a former engineer for the city’s municipal utilities (CMU), is accused of bribing a former CMU Board of Trustees Commissioner and two former Aldermen in exchange for “preferential treatment” and “lucrative” city contracts.

According to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office, Warnock allegedly bribed Cleveland Anderson, Eric Gilkey and Andrew Grant with thousands of dollars in cash, tickets to concerts, and sporting events from 2016 to 2017. 

All four men were indicted in Dec. 2021, with Eric Gilkey and Andrew Grant pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. Rudy Warnock and Cleveland Anderson both have trial dates on Dec. 2 this year.  

But just last month, prosecutors asked to introduce additional evidence in both trials, including alleged evidence of a failed murder-for-hire plot from Anderson, the Clarion Ledger reports. 

According to the paper, Anderson is accused of offering to kill Michael Simmons, a local reporter, and Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler for $10,000 each after receiving a complaint from Warnock. Anderson is also accused of pushing for his wife to be hired by CMU. 

Prosecutors also want to introduce additional evidence in Warnock’s upcoming trial. This includes evidence that he allegedly gave Grant $1,000 for available work in Canton in 2013, the Clarion Ledger reports. 

The Ledger reports that Grant is slated to speak about these accusations during Warnock’s trial. 

Death of Jennifer Kirk, Kotzebue, AK

Authorities in Alaska refuse to reopen the case of 25-year-old Jennifer Kirk, whose death was initially ruled a suicide. Kirk was discovered on May 23, 2018 at the home of then-mayor Clement Richards Sr. 

According to police reports obtained by Anchorage Daily News,  the medical examiner noted “signs of strangulation” on Kirk’s neck. However, her death was still ruled a suicide and her case was later closed.

In 2020, another woman was discovered dead on Richards’ property. Susanna “Sue Sue” Norton died after allegedly being beaten and strangled. The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide, stating she suffered blunt force injuries to her neck, face, and extremities. 

ProPublica reported that both women allegedly had long-term relationships with two of Richards’ three sons. According to ProPublica, there were alleged histories of domestic violence in both relationships. 

Norton’s death only pushed Kirk’s family for more answers, given both women were found on Richards’ property. Family and friends of Kirk believe that a thorough investigation was not conducted and therefore her death should not have been ruled a suicide.

Police Chief Roger Rouse stated in a letter to locals that, “after a thorough review of the evidence and postmortem autopsy, the medical examiner determined there was no evidence that Jennifer had in any way been strangled prior to her death,” and that they found no evidence that anyone fired the gun other than Jennifer.  

“Some have expressed concern whether it would have been physically possible for Jennifer to fire the rifle. Measurements taken of both Jennifer’s body and of the firearm show that it was,” the letter read. 

However, ProPublica states that this letter directly contradicts information that was previously released by authorities, including the date her case was created and closed. 

A spokesperson for the state Department of Public Safety told ProPublica that Kirk’s case was never formally referred to state authorities. 

In the letter from Chief Roger Rouse, he added that many individuals have noted similarities between Kirk’s and Norton’s deaths. 

“We know that many find similarities in the location, family involved, and other circumstances surrounding her murder,” the letter read. “As your Chief, I want you to know that we reached out to the Alaska Bureau of Investigations and asked them in 2021 to review the investigation. The Alaska Bureau of Investigations / Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Unit is actively working on Susanna Norton’s case.” 

We will continue following this case for updates in Norton’s death investigation and Kirk’s case.

Are you looking into a case? 

Soak Up the Sun Members have access to various guides and helpful tips for investigating cases. Check some out here:

• How to Start Investigating Your Own Case
• How to Create a Timeline: Getting The Facts Straight and Keeping Track of your Information
• FOIA Requests: Where to look, who to ask, and how much we can find in the public records
• How to Take Notes in Court

Want more updates on these cases?

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We are diving deeper into the facts of this case and will keep Premium Members updated with any potential leads. 

Thanks for your help as we continue to shine sunlight on corruption around the country. 

Stay Tuned, Stay Pesky, and Stay in the Sunlight.