Matthew Farwell convicted in the 2021 deaths of Sandra Birchmore and her unborn baby

Key Points:

• Former Massachusetts police officer Matthew Farwell was found guilty of killing Sandra Birchmore and causing the death of her unborn child in 2021, following a federal trial that lasted 19 days.
• Birchmore, who was pregnant and had an extramarital relationship with Farwell since she was 15, was initially ruled to have died by suicide, but new evidence and investigations revealed inappropriate relationships involving multiple officers.
• Farwell was convicted on federal charges related to killing a witness or victim and violating laws protecting unborn children, with prosecutors alleging he killed Birchmore to prevent her from exposing their relationship and related crimes.
• The case has sparked ongoing controversy in Stoughton, with police leadership under investigation and Birchmore’s estate suing the town and others, highlighting broader concerns about accountability and police misconduct.
• Farwell is scheduled to be sentenced on February 3, 2025, while state-level charges have not yet been filed, and the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office continues to treat the matter as an ongoing criminal case.