A former police detective from Massachusetts has been charged in connection with the 2021 death of a woman he is accused of strangling after she revealed she was pregnant with his child. Authorities allege that Matthew Farwell, 38, killed Sandra Birchmore, 23, as he sought to silence her about their long-term sexual relationship, which began when she was a minor.
Farwell, an instructor in the Stoughton Police Explorers Academy, is accused of grooming and sexually abusing Birchmore starting when she was just 15 years old. Federal prosecutors assert that Farwell began their sexual relationship while on duty and that it continued for several years.
The situation escalated when Birchmore told Farwell in October 2020 that she wanted to have a baby. He reportedly agreed to try and impregnate her on the condition she remained silent about their relationship. Prosecutors say that as Birchmore’s pregnancy progressed, Farwell’s behavior turned increasingly erratic, leading to a violent confrontation that resulted in her death on February 1, 2021.
Authorities initially classified Birchmore’s death as a suicide, but investigations later suggested foul play. Farwell was arrested on Wednesday and is charged with one count of killing a witness or victim. Prosecutors allege that he attempted to conceal evidence by instructing Birchmore to delete incriminating messages and staging her death to look like a suicide.
A friend of Birchmore had alerted police about their relationship shortly before she was killed, prompting concerns that Farwell was losing control as the details of their connection began to surface.
The Stoughton Police Department is facing scrutiny over its handling of the case, particularly concerning the conduct of Farwell and two other officers linked to Birchmore. An internal investigation revealed disturbing patterns of abuse among the officers connected to the Police Explorers program.
Chief Donna McNamara stated that the investigation into the officers’ behavior deemed it deeply troubling and identified multiple violations of departmental policies and ethics. The department has recommended that the involved officers have their police certifications permanently revoked.
McNamara emphasized the need for justice for Birchmore, asserting that the recent arrests mark a crucial step toward accountability for the tragic events surrounding her death.