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In a tragic turn of events, former Massachusetts police officer Matthew Farwell has been indicted on charges of murdering 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore, a pregnant woman who had accused him of sexual abuse. Birchmore, who died in 2021, had been in a relationship with Farwell that began when she was just 15 years old. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts announced the indictment, alleging that Farwell killed Birchmore to prevent law enforcement from uncovering his involvement in federal crimes.
Birchmore’s death was initially ruled a suicide, but recent developments have cast doubt on that conclusion. According to a press release from prosecutors, “Farwell killed Birchmore with the intent to prevent law enforcement from learning about Farwell’s commission or possible commission of federal offenses.” This revelation has led to Farwell’s arrest on Wednesday, Aug. 28, on charges of killing a witness or victim.
Sandra Birchmore’s tragic story began when she was a member of the Stoughton Police Department’s Explorers program, designed to introduce young people to careers in law enforcement. Farwell, a former Stoughton officer, was one of her instructors. Their relationship, which started when Birchmore was 15, continued into her adulthood. Prosecutors claim that in December 2020, Birchmore became pregnant, allegedly carrying Farwell’s child.
The case took a darker turn on Feb. 1, 2021, when federal authorities allege that Farwell killed Birchmore in Canton, Massachusetts. This occurred nearly two weeks after a friend of Birchmore contacted the Stoughton Police Department to report the inappropriate relationship. Birchmore’s death originally labeled a suicide, is now believed to be a homicide, according to a federal investigation that re-examined old evidence and uncovered new findings.
If convicted, Farwell faces a mandatory sentence of death or life imprisonment. The Boston Globe previously reported that Birchmore’s family had sought the expertise of Dr. Michael Baden, a former chief medical examiner for New York City, to reassess her cause of death. In June, Baden disputed the original suicide ruling, asserting that Birchmore had been strangled.
Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara addressed the case in June, expressing deep concern over the allegations. “Every good and decent police officer should be aware of and angry about the injustices inflicted upon Sandra Birchmore,” McNamara stated. “Sandra idolized police officers and what policing stood for in America, and she was victimized as a result.”
As the investigation continues, neither of the other two former Stoughton officers, who were also alleged to have had inappropriate relationships with Birchmore, are currently facing charges. The case has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice for Sandra Birchmore, who once looked up to the very people who would ultimately betray her.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
