
Justice for Sandra Birchmore
When she learned she was pregnant in late 2020, Sandra Birchmore contacted her cousin in Seattle with the exciting news. "She woke me up at 4 o'clock in the morning to tell me,” recalls Barbara Wright, 68. "She was over the moon." Unmarried, Birchmore immediately began preparing for the birth, buying toys and looking in advance for a photographer to take pictures of her newborn. She was planning a social media announcement on Feb. 14, 2021-Valentine's Day. "She had a friend make a sign that said, 'I'm expecting a new little one to love. My own little Valentine," says Wright.
But on Feb. 4 the news Birchmore's friends and family received was tragic. That day police officers performing a welfare check after Birchmore didn't show up for work found the 23-year-old teaching assistant’s body at her Canton, Mass., apartment. She was seated on the fl oor with a luggage strap looped around her neck and tied to a closet doorknob. Following an autopsy, Birchmore’s death was offi cially ruled a suicide—but those who knew her vehemently disagreed. “I knew she didn’t kill her baby," says Wright. "I knew that above all else."
This story is from the September 30, 2024 edition of People US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 30, 2024 edition of People US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In

Noah Wyle Makes His Return to the ER in a New Show
More than 30 years after Noah Wyle first broke out onscreen as Dr. John Carter on the hit NBC medical drama ER, the Emmy-nominated actor is back in scrubs for Max’s buzzy series The Pitt. Returning to a hospital setting “was like getting to go back to high school,” says Wyle, 53. “It was like picking up an instrument that I haven’t played in 15 years and finding that my fingers still knew where the notes were.”

MEGHAN, DUCHESS OF SUSSEX 'I'm Back in My Element'
IN AN INTIMATE CHAT, MEGHAN OPENS UP ABOUT REDISCOVERING HERSELF BEYOND MOTHERHOOD, THE CHALLENGES OF BUILDING A BUSINESS AND HOW SHE AND HARRY ARE BALANCING LOVE, FAMILY AND NEW BEGINNINGS

Gypsy-Rose Blanchard and Ken Urker Talk Parenthood and Marriage Goals
Ahead of the season 2 premiere of their Lifetime reality series Life After Lockup on March 10, the famed Munchausen syndrome by proxy victim, 33, and her boyfriend, 32, discuss life as new parents to 2-month-old daughter Aurora.

A LEGEND'S TRAGIC END
IN A SHOCKING MYSTERY, THE OSCAR WINNER AND HIS WIFE ARE FOUND DEAD AT HOME. AS POLICE INVESTIGATE, HOLLYWOOD MOURNS

Justin Bieber Turns 31 in Idaho With Wife Hailey, Baby Jack and New Music Plans
Justin Bieber celebrated his 31st birthday on March 1, far from the Hollywood spotlight. The pop star gathered with friends, his wife, Hailey, and their 7-month-old son Jack Blues at Gozzer Ranch in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, a Bieber source reveals. \"It was a fun, relaxing getaway with friends and baby Jack,\" says the insider. \"Justin and Hailey were great.\"

A Spark Gone Too Soon
THE FORMER CHILD STAR'S FRIENDS GIVE INSIGHT INTO THE FINAL DAYS BEFORE HER SHOCKING DEATH AT 39 AND HIGHLIGHT HER LEGACY: SHE 'TOUCHED A GENERATION'

HANSEL ENMANUEL Making It Look Easy
THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL SENSATION LOST MOST OF HIS LEFT ARM IN AN ACCIDENT 16 YEARS AGO. NOW HE HAS MILLIONS OF FANS AND NBA DREAMS

Ray Nicholson's Time to Shine!
He’s got the same cheeky grin as his dad, Jack Nicholson (his mom is actress Rebecca Broussard), but the Novocaine actor, 33, says the connection isn’t obvious to everyone: “We do look alike, but mostly people think I look like Leonardo DiCaprio. Or Sebastian Stan!”

Chickpea Curry With Coconut Rice
You can get a curry almost anywhere in the world, but this flavor profile is very Caribbean-focused.

Amanda Seyfried
THE ACTRESS, 39, STARS ON PEACOCK'S NEW THRILLER SERIES LONG BRIGHT RIVER