A 38-year-old former Massachusetts police detective has been indicted by federal prosecutors on charges he seduced and then murdered a pregnant 23-year-old woman, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
According to a Department of Justice press release, the defendant, Officer Matthew Farwell, is accused of strangling Sandra Birchmore to death on or about February 1, 2021, and staging the murder to make it appear like a suicide. state. (Related article: Police officer indicted in shooting death of pregnant woman)
According to the Department of Justice, Burchmore participated in the Stoughton Police Department's (SPD) youth program in 2010. Farwell joined the SPD around that time, on or about March 27, 2012. The former officer allegedly began a sexual relationship with Burchmore when he was 15 years old.
As reported by ABC News, the indictment alleges that Farwell, who was 27 at the time, began a sexual relationship with her. Prosecutors allege the affair continued until her death, according to the Department of Justice.
“Farwell allegedly used his power and access to seduce, sexually exploit, and ultimately sexually abuse Ms. Birchmore,” the Justice Department added.
Ex-cop indicted for murdering pregnant woman, staging death to make it look like a suicide https://t.co/ZYMYWcaWJG
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) August 29, 2024
“We allege that Sandra Birchmore endured years of training, statutory rape and sexual assault at the hands of Matthew Farwell, who was employed as an officer and detective with the Stoughton Police Department throughout their relationship. And when it became clear that he could not control Ms. Birchmore, Mr. Farwell silenced her permanently,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy told reporters on Wednesday, ABC News reported.
Farwell was married and had a child during the alleged affair, according to prosecutors' reports. Prosecutors allege that the two “reached an agreement” in October 2020, when she told him she wanted to become pregnant in exchange for his silence about his criminal conduct and years of affairs.
According to the Department of Justice, when Birchmore told Farwell she was pregnant and asked him to be involved in the child's life, he became enraged and became violent towards her. “On one occasion while Birchmore was pregnant, Farwell allegedly grabbed Birchmore's head and told her he wished she would die,” the Justice Department wrote.
The Department of Justice alleges that a friend of Birchmore's called Sydney police in late January 2021 to accuse the couple of an affair. ABC News reported that Levy claimed Farwell was “visibly upset” after learning about the call and that Birchmore had told friends that he had been violent towards her.
According to court documents, Farwell instructed Burchmore to destroy evidence of their relationship, and the media outlet reported that Farwell then strangled Burchmore to death with the strap of a duffel bag.
Farwell pleaded not guilty during a court appearance on Wednesday, The Sun reported. ReportedIf convicted, Farwell faces life in prison or the death penalty, according to ABC News. Levy reportedly said the Justice Department has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.
