Three Massachusetts police officers featured in lawsuit concerning death of 23-year-old pregnant woman

A lawsuit has been filed after a 19 month-long investigation by a Massachusetts police department brought to light very troubling revelations.

According to Stoughton Police, the department learned in February of 2021 of the death by suicide of a pregnant 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore. In that same month, Stoughton Chief Donna McNamara spoke with the Norfolk State Police Detective Unit, which is attached to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office and was informed of Matthew Farwell’s involvement with the young woman who was an officer with the department at the time.

On April 1, 2022, Farwell tendered his resignation while the investigation continued.

In a September 2022 press conference by Chief McNamara, the lengthy investigation revealed that three officers had an inappropriate relationship with Birchmore who they met as a teen in a youth explorers program run by the department.

It was determined in the internal investigation that Matthew Farewell was involved in conduct unbecoming of a police officer and not being truthful, among other charges.

William Farwell, Matthew’s twin brother, and Robert Devine face similar allegations from the investigation.

A 27-year-old Matthew Farwell engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old Birchmore that went on for several years. The investigation also revealed that the other two officers were involved in inappropriate activity with Birchmore. William made inappropriate cellphone exchanges with Birchmore while on duty, according to the findings, and reportedly introduced her to others.

Matthew Farwell broke off the relationship with Birchmore on February 1st, 2021, and she was found dead days later. Friends and family of Birchmore have found her death to be more suspicious despite reports listing her death as a suicide.

On December 29th of this year, Darlene Smith as the personal representative of the estate of Sandra Birchmore, filed a lawsuit against Matthew Farwell, William Farwell, Robert Devine, the Town of Stoughton, and the Stoughton Police Department.

The lawsuit states that the complaint claims a grooming scheme and misconduct led to Birchmore’s death.

The filing states that the estate is requesting unspecified damages concerning the death of Birchmore.