BOSTON — A former Stoughton police officer already charged with murdering Sandra Birchmore has now been indicted for allegedly causing the death of her unborn baby, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
Matthew Farwell, 39, of Easton, faces an additional federal charge of causing the death of an unborn child. He was first arrested in August 2024 and remains in federal custody pending arraignment on the superseding indictment.
Prosecutors allege that on or about Feb. 1, 2021, Farwell strangled Birchmore, staged her body and her apartment to look like a suicide, and killed her “with malice aforethought” to stop her from disclosing years of sexual exploitation and abuse that began when she was 15 years old and continued until her death.
The indictment claims Farwell used his position and access as a police officer to groom and sexually abuse Birchmore, including while he was on duty. It further alleges that Farwell’s actions caused the death of her unborn child, estimated to be eight to ten weeks gestation.
According to court filings, Farwell agreed to impregnate Birchmore in fall 2020 to prevent her from publicly revealing their relationship. Birchmore later told Farwell she was keeping the baby and that “the birth certificate is being signed.” Farwell allegedly responded stating that she was “the worst person on the face of the earth.”
In the weeks before her death, Birchmore told Farwell about her upcoming ultrasounds, prenatal appointments, and plans for a Valentine’s Day pregnancy announcement. Investigators say she ordered baby supplies, scheduled medical visits, and planned for newborn photos—strongly indicating she was anticipating the birth.
If convicted, Farwell faces a mandatory life sentence.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Riley, Torey B. Cummings, and Brian A. Fogerty of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit.
