Matthew Farwell Found Guilty in Sandra Birchmore Murder

A federal jury has found former Massachusetts police officer Matthew Farwell guilty of killing 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore and causing the death of her unborn child in a case involving allegations of sexual abuse, a concealed relationship and an attempted cover-up.

The verdict was delivered Tuesday, November 10, 2026, following a nearly monthlong federal trial in Boston. Farwell was convicted on both federal charges connected to Birchmore’s February 2021 death. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison.

Who Was Sandra Birchmore?

Sandra Birchmore was 23 years old when she was found dead inside her apartment in Canton, Massachusetts, on February 1, 2021. She was approximately eight to 10 weeks pregnant at the time.

Birchmore had previously participated in the Stoughton Police Department’s Police Explorers youth program, where she met Farwell, a police officer who volunteered as an instructor.

Federal prosecutors alleged that Farwell began sexually abusing Birchmore when she was 15 years old and he was 27. Their relationship allegedly continued for years, despite Farwell being married.

Investigators later uncovered approximately 40,000 text messages between the two, providing evidence about their relationship, Birchmore’s pregnancy and the communications leading up to her death.

Prosecutors Say Farwell Killed Birchmore to Prevent Her From Exposing Their Relationship

According to federal prosecutors, Farwell killed Birchmore after learning that she was pregnant and becoming concerned that she would reveal their relationship to authorities and his family. Investigators said Birchmore had been making plans for her pregnancy, including prenatal appointments, ultrasounds, genetic testing and preparations for the baby’s arrival.

Prosecutors also presented evidence that Birchmore had threatened to disclose the relationship, raising concerns for Farwell as information about their involvement reached the Stoughton Police Department. A tip about the relationship was reportedly made to the department on January 20, 2021, just 12 days before Birchmore was found dead.

Prosecutors argued that Farwell strangled Birchmore and subsequently staged the apartment to make her death appear to be a suicide. Although Birchmore believed Farwell was the father of her unborn child, DNA testing conducted after her death determined that another man was the biological father.

Initial Investigation Classified Her Death as a Suicide

Birchmore’s death was initially classified as a suicide by investigators. Her body was discovered on her bedroom floor with a duffel bag strap around her neck, attached to a closet door handle.

However, the FBI began investigating the circumstances surrounding her death in 2023 after concerns were raised about the original investigation. Federal investigators questioned the handling of the initial inquiry, including how quickly authorities concluded that Birchmore had died by suicide and whether important evidence had been overlooked.

The investigation eventually led to Farwell’s arrest in August 2024. The Massachusetts medical examiner’s office later changed the official manner of Birchmore’s death from suicide to undetermined.

During the federal trial, medical experts presented competing explanations for her injuries. A prosecution expert testified that injuries to Birchmore’s neck were consistent with homicidal strangulation. Defense experts challenged that conclusion and disputed the government’s interpretation of the medical evidence.

Farwell’s Defense Denied the Murder Allegations

Farwell pleaded not guilty and maintained that he did not kill Birchmore. His defense acknowledged that he had an affair with Birchmore but disputed prosecutors’ allegations that their sexual relationship began when she was 15. Defense attorneys argued that the relationship began when Birchmore was 16, which they maintained was above the age of consent in Massachusetts.

The defense also argued that Birchmore died by suicide after Farwell visited her apartment and ended their relationship. Attorneys pointed to her documented mental health struggles and previous suicidal behavior as part of their argument. Throughout the trial, prosecutors and defense attorneys presented competing interpretations of text messages, medical findings and evidence from the apartment. Approximately 50 witnesses testified, and hundreds of exhibits were presented during the proceedings.

Jury Returns Guilty Verdict on Both Federal Charges

The jury, consisting of eight men and four women, deliberated before reaching its decision on November 10. Jurors had informed the judge on Monday that they were deadlocked, prompting the court to instruct them to continue deliberating. They ultimately returned guilty verdicts on both counts.

Farwell was convicted of killing a witness or victim and causing the death of an unborn child under federal law. The second charge was added through a superseding indictment filed in October 2025. Prosecutors alleged that Birchmore was carrying an unborn boy when she was killed. Under federal law, the conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.

When Will Matthew Farwell Be Sentenced?

Farwell is scheduled to be sentenced on February 3, 2027. The conviction concludes a closely watched federal prosecution that brought renewed attention to the original investigation into Birchmore’s death and the circumstances surrounding her relationship with a former police officer.

The case also raised serious questions about the handling of allegations involving police personnel and the investigative decisions that initially led authorities to classify Birchmore’s death as a suicide. Farwell now faces a mandatory life sentence following his conviction on both federal counts.