US v. Matthew Farwell
A federal judge in Boston denied former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell's motion to dismiss the superseding indictment against him on March 9, 2026, setting his trial for October 2026. As of March 9, 2026: Chief U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper rejected all defense arguments in the case where Farwell is accused of murdering Sandra Birchmore, who was 8-10 weeks pregnant in February 2021, and her unborn baby. Farwell, who pleaded not guilty to new charges on November 21, 2025, faces charges related to the death of Birchmore and her unborn child, with prosecutors stating on December 9, 2025, that they will not seek the death penalty. The relationship between Farwell and Birchmore began when she was 15 and he was an officer in the Stoughton Police Department's youth program, and he was arrested on August 29, 2024, on federal charges of killing Birchmore to prevent her from disclosing his sexual exploitation.
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Track this story2026
3 updates
2026
3 updatesA federal judge in Boston denied former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell's motion to dismiss the superseding indictment against him. Chief U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper rejected all arguments from the defense team. Farwell's trial is now set for October 2026.
A federal judge has refused to dismiss charges against former Massachusetts police officer Matthew Farwell, who is accused of murdering his mistress, Sandra Birchmore, and her unborn baby. Farwell allegedly killed Birchmore, who was eight to 10 weeks pregnant in February 2021, and then staged her body to appear as a suicide. The relationship between Farwell and Birchmore began when she was 15 years old and he was an officer in the Stoughton Police Department's youth program.
Former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell pleaded not guilty on November 21, 2025, to new charges in connection with causing the death of an unborn child. His attorneys are arguing that intense media coverage has made it impossible to find an impartial jury in Massachusetts, leading a federal judge to consider moving the trial. Farwell faces charges in the murder of Sandra Birchmore and the death of her unborn baby.
via nbcboston.com
2025
4 updates
2025
4 updatesFederal prosecutors announced on December 9, 2025, that they will not seek the death penalty against former Stoughton, Massachusetts police officer Matthew Farwell. Farwell is charged with killing Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child. Birchmore was pregnant when she died in 2021, and her death was initially ruled a suicide.
Former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell has been indicted on a superseding charge related to the death of Sandra Birchmore's unborn child. The indictment adds a second count under the state's protection of unborn children law. Prosecutors allege Farwell engaged in sexual activity with Birchmore before she was 16, while he was on duty as a police officer.
Former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell faces additional charges in federal court related to the death of Sandra Birchmore's unborn child. A federal judge has denied Farwell's request to move the trial out of Massachusetts, ruling that it will proceed in Boston.
Former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell has pleaded not guilty to charges including the death of Sandra Birchmore's unborn child. A federal judge has set October 5, 2026, as the trial date for Farwell, who was arrested in August 2024.
2024
1 update
2024
1 updateFormer Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell was arrested on August 29, 2024, on federal charges of killing Sandra Birchmore to prevent her from disclosing his sexual exploitation. He is accused of strangulation and staging her apartment to appear as a suicide.
2021
2 updates
2021
2 updatesCanton Police Department officers conducted a wellness check at Birchmore's apartment and found her deceased.
via justice.gov·justice.gov·justice.gov·cbsnews.com·youtube.com
Sandra Birchmore, who was 8-10 weeks pregnant, was found dead in her Canton apartment. Her death was initially ruled a suicide by a medical examiner in May 2021.
via justice.gov·justice.gov·justice.gov·cbsnews.com·youtube.com
Story began · 5 years, 2 mo ago