It took three long years for the truth to even start coming out. In February 2021, when 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore was found dead in her Canton apartment, the initial ruling felt like a closed door. Suicide. That’s what the state medical examiner said. Case closed, right?
Not even close.
Today, the names Sandra Birchmore and Matthew Farwell are at the center of one of the most disturbing federal criminal cases in Massachusetts history. Farwell, a former Stoughton police detective, isn't just a name in a file anymore. He's a man facing a federal trial for the murder of a woman he allegedly groomed since she was a young teenager. Honestly, the details coming out of the federal indictments are enough to make anyone lose sleep.
The Case Against Matthew Farwell
What changed? Why did a "suicide" suddenly turn into a federal murder investigation? Basically, it came down to a mix of persistent family advocacy and a fresh look by federal investigators. In 2024, the FBI arrested Farwell, alleging he didn't just kill Birchmore—he staged the entire scene to look like she had taken her own life.
The federal government’s timeline is chilling. They claim Farwell, who was 27 at the time, met a 13-year-old Sandra through the Stoughton Police Explorers program. This was supposed to be a mentorship program for kids interested in law enforcement. Instead, prosecutors say it became a hunting ground. By the time she was 15, the two were allegedly having a sexual relationship.
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Fast forward to late 2020. Birchmore was pregnant. She told friends the father was Matthew Farwell. According to court documents, Farwell was furious. He was a married man with kids of his own. The feds say he had everything to lose—his job, his family, his freedom—if the truth about their decade-long relationship came out.
A Twist in the Evidence
Here’s where things get really weird. You’d think a murder motive built on a pregnancy would be straightforward. But in June 2025, DNA results threw a massive curveball into the narrative.
Tests revealed that Matthew Farwell was not the father of Sandra's unborn baby.
Does that tank the prosecution's case? Not necessarily. Prosecutors argue that it doesn't matter who the father actually was; what matters is that Farwell believed he was the father. They contend he killed her to keep her quiet, thinking a baby would be the "smoking gun" that proved his years of illegal conduct.
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Current Legal Status in 2026
If you’re looking for a quick resolution, you won't find one. As of January 2026, the wheels of justice are turning, but they’re turning slowly.
- Trial Date: The federal trial is officially scheduled for October 5, 2026.
- Death Penalty: In December 2025, the Department of Justice made a major announcement. They will not seek the death penalty against Farwell. This decision came down from the U.S. Attorney General’s office, even though the charges of killing a witness and killing an unborn child are capital offenses.
- New Charges: In late 2025, Farwell was hit with a superseding indictment. He is now specifically charged with causing the death of Birchmore’s unborn son. Under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1841), this carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison if he's convicted.
Why This Case Matters So Much
This isn't just a "true crime" story for the tabloids. It has completely dismantled the reputation of the Stoughton Police Department. An internal affairs report eventually found that two other officers also had "inappropriate relationships" with Birchmore. It suggests a systemic failure where a vulnerable young girl was essentially passed around by the men who were supposed to be her mentors.
It’s about the power dynamic. A detective versus a 23-year-old who had known him since she was a child. The feds allege Farwell used his police training to stage the scene. They say he knew exactly how to tie the knots and position the body to fool local investigators.
What Most People Get Wrong
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the "suicide" ruling was a simple mistake. Critics and the Birchmore family’s legal team argue it was more than that—it was a failure of the "Blue Wall." When local police investigate one of their own, even from a neighboring town, there is a natural bias.
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It took the federal government stepping in to say, "Wait, the physical evidence doesn't match the suicide theory." Specifically, independent pathologists pointed out that the injuries to Sandra’s neck were consistent with manual strangulation, not a self-inflicted hanging.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case
If you are following the Sandra Birchmore and Matthew Farwell case, here is how to stay informed as the trial approaches:
- Monitor Federal Filings: This is a federal case in the District of Massachusetts. Keep an eye on the PACER system for updates on motions to suppress evidence.
- Look Beyond the DNA: Don't let the DNA results distract you. The legal "intent" focuses on Farwell's state of mind in February 2021, not the biological reality discovered years later.
- Watch the "Witness" Charges: The specific charge is "killing a witness." This is key because it shifts the case into federal jurisdiction, alleging he killed her specifically to prevent her from reporting his prior federal crimes (like sex trafficking or civil rights violations).
The next major milestone will be the pre-trial hearings throughout the summer of 2026. Until then, Matthew Farwell remains in federal custody, and the community in Canton and Stoughton continues to grapple with the fallout of a tragedy that was nearly swept under the rug.