Former Stoughton police detective faces a series of allegations in the death of Sandra Birchmore. Here are ten important details.

Federal prosecutors announced the arrest of former Stoughton police detective Matthew G. Farwell on Wednesday, charging him with the murder of Sandra Birchmore in February 2021. Birchmore, 23, had informed Farwell that she was pregnant with his child. Prosecutors allege that Farwell strangled her and then staged her Canton apartment to look like a suicide.

The indictment outlines several disturbing details regarding their relationship and the events leading up to Birchmore's death, prompting prosecutors to request that the 38-year-old married father of three be detained until trial.

The Initial Encounter

According to the indictment, Birchmore joined a Stoughton police youth program at age 12 in March 2010, where Farwell served as an instructor. Their sexual relationship reportedly began before Birchmore turned 16, the legal age of consent in Massachusetts.

The Desire for a Child

In October 2020, Birchmore expressed her desire to have a child, and Farwell agreed to try to impregnate her in exchange for her silence about their illegal relationship. By December, Birchmore informed Farwell that she was pregnant. Prosecutors claim that Farwell reacted violently, pushing and shoving her and placing her in a chokehold.

Warning Signs

On January 20, 2021, Farwell confronted a fellow officer about a call regarding his relationship with Birchmore, leading to frantic text messages to her. He requested a key to her apartment while secretly searching it for potential hiding spots, raising concerns for Birchmore, who confided in friends.

The Murder Plot

Prosecutors allege that on January 24, 2021, Farwell asked for a key to Birchmore's apartment and began planning her murder. Just days before her death, he allegedly entered her apartment wearing a mask, despite his public aversion to COVID-19 mandates. Surveillance footage reportedly captured him leaving shortly after the act.

Staging the Scene

Farwell is accused of staging the crime scene to make it appear as though Birchmore had hanged herself. However, forensic expert Dr. William Smock determined that her death was a homicide. He cited injuries consistent with strangulation, suggesting that Farwell attempted to make her death look like a suicide.

Initially ruled a suicide by the state medical examiner, Birchmore’s death was later reclassified as a homicide by Dr. Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist hired by her estate.

Farwell’s Account and Text Messages

Farwell claimed he went to Birchmore's apartment to end their relationship and denied being the father of her unborn child. Investigators found suspicious Google searches on his phone and troubling text messages that detailed their abusive relationship, including instances of physical violence.

Evidence of Domestic Violence

Prosecutors revealed that Farwell’s iCloud account contained memes glorifying violence against women. Furthermore, evidence suggested he framed sexual violence as punishment and sought to control Birchmore through tracking her phone location.

Reaction to Birchmore's Pregnancy

Upon learning of Birchmore's pregnancy, Farwell reportedly expressed shock and anger. Prosecutors highlighted his lack of remorse following her death, noting that he discussed their relationship with a co-worker without expressing any sadness or grief, instead blaming the State Police for investigating him.