Former Stoughton Police Officer Indicted in Connection with Pregnant Woman’s Murder
A former Stoughton police officer, Matthew Farwell, has been indicted on a charge of killing a witness or victim in connection with the 2021 death of 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore, as announced by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. Farwell was arrested in Revere on Wednesday morning and appeared in federal court in Boston later in the day. He is currently being held pending a new court date next month.
“It is disheartening to have to charge law enforcement officers, especially with crimes this serious,” said acting US Attorney Joshua Levy in a press conference. “But it is our job at the Department of Justice to investigate potential crimes without fear and without favor.”
Farwell had served as a police officer in Stoughton until 2022, where he worked as an instructor for a department-run vocational education program called the Explorers Program. Prosecutors revealed that Birchmore had joined the program in 2010 at the age of 12 and that Farwell, as her instructor, had used his authority to groom and ultimately sexually abuse her.
The abuse began when Birchmore was 15 years old and continued into her adulthood. Farwell engaged in sexual acts with Birchmore while on duty, and their relationship persisted until her death. Birchmore had discovered she was pregnant in December 2020 and had expressed excitement about the pregnancy. However, when she informed Farwell that he was the father and expected him to be involved in the child’s life, he reacted violently.
In January 2021, one of Birchmore’s friends contacted the Stoughton police regarding the relationship between Birchmore and Farwell. Following this incident, Farwell sent angry text messages to Birchmore and requested a spare key to her apartment in Canton. Prosecutors alleged that Farwell strangled Birchmore and staged her death to appear as a suicide. Although Birchmore passed away on February 1, 2021, her body was not discovered until February 4.
Initially ruled as a suicide, Birchmore’s death came under federal investigation due to new evidence, leading to Farwell’s indictment and subsequent arrest. Levy stated, “When it became clear to Mr. Farwell that he could no longer control Sandra Birchmore, he allegedly silenced her permanently. And he used his knowledge and experience as a law enforcement officer to stage her death to look like a suicide.”
Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara responded to Farwell’s indictment, expressing shock and condemning his actions. She emphasized the department’s support for the investigation and collaboration with other agencies to uncover the truth behind Birchmore’s death. McNamara referred to Birchmore’s alleged murder as a “horrific injustice” and labeled Farwell’s actions as the “single worst act of human indecency” she had witnessed in her nearly three-decade career in law enforcement.
The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office also released a statement affirming its commitment to investigating Birchmore’s death. The office mentioned its collaboration with local law enforcement, the state attorney general’s office, and the FBI in pursuing justice for Birchmore. State police troopers were involved in Farwell’s arrest in Revere, with the office expressing readiness to support federal authorities in the prosecution.
Farwell had previously reached a voluntary decertification agreement with the state Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission in connection with the Birchmore case. The POST Commission, responsible for certifying and decertifying Massachusetts police officers, had denied Farwell’s recertification application in October 2022.
Authorities brought Farwell to court on Wednesday afternoon, where he appeared in a t-shirt and jeans, restrained with handcuffs on his wrists and ankles. He is scheduled to appear in court again on September 10.
In Conclusion,
The indictment of former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell in connection with the murder of Sandra Birchmore sheds light on the disturbing events surrounding her tragic death. As the legal proceedings unfold, it is crucial to seek justice for Birchmore and ensure accountability for those responsible for such heinous acts. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the dedication to uncovering the truth demonstrate a commitment to upholding the principles of justice and integrity within the community.