Matthew Farwell Convicted of Murdering Sandra Birchmore and Causing the Death of Her Unborn Baby
Former Massachusetts police officer began grooming and sexually exploiting Sandra Birchmore when she was 15 years old; murdered her eight years later while she was pregnant; then staged it to look like a suicide
BOSTON / Tuesday, November 10, 2026 – Former Stoughton, Mass. police officer Matthew Farwell was convicted today by a federal jury in Boston of killing Sandra Birchmore. Mr. Farwell murdered Ms. Birchmore because he feared that she would expose his sexual exploitation of her when she was a minor and that he met her for sex while he was on duty as a police officer. In killing Ms. Birchmore, Farwell caused the death of her unborn baby. Farwell then staged the murder to look like a suicide by hanging.
Farwell, 41, of Easton, Mass. was convicted of one count of killing a witness or victim and one count of causing the death of an unborn child. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Feb. 3, 2027. Farwell was arrested and charged in August 2024.
Farwell was a sworn officer of the Stoughton Police Department beginning on or about March 27, 2012. In his capacity as a police officer, Farwell served as an instructor in the Stoughton Police Department’s Explorer’s Program, a program designed for youth to learn about careers in law enforcement. Sandra Birchmore joined the Stoughton Explorers Program in 2010, when she was 12 years old and remained in the program through the remainder of her middle and high school years.
Farwell began sexually exploiting Ms. Birchmore when she was a minor. He continued to have sex with her into her adulthood, until her death on Feb. 1, 2021. On several occasions, Farwell engaged in sex acts with Ms. Birchmore while on duty as a Stoughton police officer.
“Despite Mr. Farwell’s attempt to silence Sandra Birchmore, today her story is told. Through the testimony of friends and experts, through thousands of text messages and photos, what happened to Sandra Birchmore is no longer Mr. Farwell’s secret,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “He strangled Sandra, killed her and her unborn son and staged it to look like a suicide by hanging. The mountain of evidence against Matthew Farwell uncloaked his chilling and diabolical actions and lies. He now faces life in federal prison. Justice has indeed been served.” Foley continued, “It is my sincere hope that moving forward, Sandra Birchmore’s legacy is defined not by the tragedies that led to this case, but rather by the memories of a young woman who had a bright future. A young woman who was excited about her impending motherhood and the prospect of becoming a nurse. I hope everyone recalls a girl full of love, life and hope. That is what Sandra deserves.”
“Today, our hearts are with the Birchmore family, and with all who knew and loved Sandra. This verdict holds Matthew Farwell responsible for killing this young woman and her unborn child in a calculated attempt to silence her. It also prevents this former cop from harming anyone else,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Justice requires persistence – not deference, not convenience, and certainly not protection for those who wear the badge and misuse their authority. This case highlights a fundamental responsibility of our justice system: when the evidence demands a second look, we must have the courage to pursue it, which is exactly what the FBI did.”
In late 2020, Ms. Birchmore learned that she was pregnant. Both she and Farwell believed that he was the father of the child. According to testimony presented at trial, Ms. Birchmore disclosed to close friends that Farwell became violent with her when they discussed the pregnancy and his role in the child’s life. One witness testified that Farwell was “aggressive” toward Ms. Birchmore’s stomach when she was pregnant, and other witnesses testified that he pushed her when they fought over her pregnancy.
On Jan. 20, 2021, an individual called the Stoughton Police Department and referenced Farwell and Ms. Birchmore’s sexual relationship. Evidence presented at trial established that, upon learning of the call, Farwell became visibly and audibly angry and instructed the police dispatcher not to discuss the call with anyone. Farwell then confronted Ms. Birchmore, sending angry text messages that included, “[Y]ou…told me that no one knew about us,” “ [Y]ou have no idea how bad what she did is” and “[W]hich other friend will do something tomorrow?”
Twelve days later, on Feb. 1, 2021, shortly after 9:00 p.m., Farwell texted Ms. Birchmore asking whether he could stop by her apartment. Ms. Birchmore responded that her door would be open. This was the last text message Ms. Birchmore ever sent.
Surveillance footage showed Farwell entering Ms. Birchmore’s apartment building at approximately 9:14 p.m. and leaving at approximately 9:43 p.m. A digital forensic examination of Ms. Birchmore’s phone established that its last recorded movement occurred at 9:40 p.m. Farwell was inside the apartment building when Ms. Birchmore’s phone activity ceased.
According to evidence presented a trial, Farwell strangled Ms. Birchmore, killing her and her unborn baby, and then staged it to look like a suicide by hanging. Less than 12 hours after killing Ms. Birchmore, Farwell drove to the hospital to be present for the birth of his third child with his wife.
Ms. Birchmore’s death was initially ruled a suicide by state authorities. In October 2023, several witnesses contacted federal authorities to provide relevant information about Ms. Birchmore’s death. Ten months later, Farwell was charged federally.
The charge of killing a witness or victim carries a mandatory sentence of death or life in prison. The charge of causing the death of an unborn child carries a sentence of no less than life in prison. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
U.S. Attorney Foley and FBI SAC Docks made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Riley, Torey B. Cummings and Brian A. Fogerty of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit are prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
