BOSTON – A former Stoughton police officer who was previously indicted for allegedly murdering Sandra Birchmore, a pregnant woman, to prevent her from disclosing information about his sexual exploitation of her beginning when she was a minor, has been found guilty.
According to the Department of Justice, Matthew Farwell of Easton, had been charged with one count of causing the death of Birchmore’s unborn child and killing a witness or victim (Birchmore)
Farwell will be sentenced on February 3rd.
“According to the superseding indictment, on or about Feb. 1, 2021, Farwell allegedly killed Birchmore by strangulation. Shortly thereafter, Farwell allegedly staged her body and apartment to make it appear as if Birchmore had unalived herself. The indictment alleged that Farwell killed Birchmore with malice aforethought and with the intent to prevent her from disclosing to law enforcement that he used his authority and access as a police officer to groom and sexually abuse Birchmore, including while he was on duty, beginning when she was 15 years old and continuing until her death. The indictment further alleges that Farwell’s killing of Birchmore resulted in the death of her unborn child.
“According to court documents, Farwell agreed to attempt to impregnate Birchmore in the Fall of 2020 to avoid her publicly disclosing details about their relationship. Birchmore told Farwell that she was “keeping it” and “the birth certificate is being signed.” Farwell allegedly responded by telling her that she was “the worst person on the face of the earth.”
“Over the next several weeks, Birchmore expressed excitement to Farwell about her due date, ultrasounds, genetic testing, gender reveals and doctor appointments. She booked prenatal care appointments that post-dated her death. She also ordered baby items, conducted Google searches related to her pregnancy and future child-rearing decisions, planned for newborn baby photos and an official pregnancy announcement intended for Valentine’s Day.
“According to the indictment, Birchmore was eight to 10 weeks pregnant when Farwell allegedly killed her.
It was later learned that the baby turned out to not be Farwell’s.
The charge of causing the death of Birchmore and the unborn child carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Riley, Torey Cummings and Brian Fogerty of the office’s Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit are prosecuting the case.
