Disturbing texts expose ex-cop charged with killing Sandra Birchmore

Investigators uncovered years of disturbing texts messages detailing a timeline of the affair between pregnant Sandra Birchmore and former police officer Matthew Farwell, who was the father of her unborn child and is now charged with her murder.

Authorities found the pregnant 23-year-old woman dead in her Canton apartment on February 4, 2021. The indictment alleges Farwell strangled Birchmore and staged the scene to look like a suicide.

Initially, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled her death a suicide, finding no evidence of foul play. But the case changed on Wednesday when Boston’s SWAT team arrested Farwell.

“This case represents our commitment to ensuring that no one, regardless of their position, is above the law,” U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said on Wednesday. “The principles of justice and accountability are paramount. It is disheartening to charge law enforcement officers with crimes this serious, but it is our job at the Department of Justice to investigate potential crimes without fear or favor.”

Timeline of Farwell and Birchmore’s Relationship

2012

Birchmore’s Facebook data reveals Farwell sent her a Facebook friend request on October 28, 2012, when she was 15 years old, according to a police affidavit.

Farwell, then a 27-year-old officer, had initiated a sexual relationship with her when she was 15 which continued for years.

He took her virginity during the 2012-2013 school year.

2019

On February 21, 2019, Birchmore and Farwell exchanged text messages discussing Farwell taking Birchmore’s virginity.

Birchmore expressed her satisfaction with Farwell being the first. Farwell later acknowledged in the conversation it was significant.

Farwell continued this sexual abuse after Birchmore became an adult and continued to engage in an extramarital sexual relationship with her until she was killed. Their sexual relationship spanned nearly 10 years, with Farwell saying he wished it had started earlier.

The affidavit states that Farwell had an obsession with “rape fantasies” and exhibited “obsessive and controlling tendencies,” often pinning Birchmore down during sex.

On June 15, 2019, Farwell and Birchmore exchanged text messages discussing role-playing during their next sexual encounter.

2020

As their sexual encounters continued, the young girl considered revealing the affair to Farwell’s wife.

On October 5, 2020, Birchmore drafted a text message meant for Farwell’s wife and sent it to someone else. That same day, the person she sent it to told her that Farwell’s wife was expecting their third child, due in February 2021.

“I am just messaging to inform you that your husband Matthew has been cheating on you since before you were even married.”

Farwell and his wife married in May 2013, just before Birchmore turned 16. There is no record showing the draft message was ever sent to Farwell’s wife.

Newsweek reached out to Farwell’s wife about the situation, however, she has not yet responded.

That same day, Birchmore gave Farwell an ultimatum: he needed to agree to have unprotected sex with her to impregnate her, and in exchange, she would keep their relationship a secret.

Text messages between the two revealed Birchmore sent Farwell a photo of her ovulation schedule. They then discussed timing their sexual encounters to align with specific points in Birchmore’s cycle.

“How would you feel about us having a baby, you being there AND signing the birth certificate (theres never gonna be a need for your information anyway so youll be safe there) and I wont talk shit about her or your kids,” Birchmore said in a text message released. “That way we both get what we want.”

2021

The situation escalated in late 2020 and early 2021 when Birchmore discovered she was pregnant and informed Farwell who did not share her excitement, according to court filings.

On January 20, 2021, Birchmore’s friend called the Stoughton Police Department and told a department employee Farwell had been having sex with Birchmore.

“When Mr. Farwell learned about that call, he became physically angry and physically violent,” U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said. “Mr. Farwell started to lose his patience, lose his temper, and the 6-foot-4-inch Mr. Farwell became physically violent with 4-foot-10-inch Sandra Birchmore.”

On January 24, 2021, about a week before her death, Farwell had a sudden change about the pregnancy and requested an apartment key from Birchmore, which she then made a copy of for him.

On January 30, 2021, Birchmore asked Farwell if she could share the baby names she was considering. Farwell responded he would prefer to discuss the topic in person.

Two days later, Farwell allegedly killed Birchmore and staged her body and apartment, making it appear she had died by suicide.

On February 4, 2021, Canton police officers performed a well-being check at Birchmore’s apartment after one of her co-workers reported she did not come in to work that day.

When officers arrived, they found Birchmore’s body seated on the floor in a reclined position with a duffle bag strap tied around her neck. The strap was connected to her closet door knob, the closet Farwell had inspected approximately one week earlier.

What’s Next for Matthew Farwell?

Boston’s SWAT team made an arrest in Revere, Massachusetts, on Wednesday following Farwell’s initial appearance in federal court in Boston.

Federal prosecutors have charged Farwell with murdering Birchmore to silence her. If convicted, he faces severe penalties, including a possible death sentence.

“This case represents our commitment to ensuring that no one, regardless of their position, is above the law,” the U.S. attorney said. “The principles of justice and accountability are paramount. It is disheartening to charge law enforcement officers with crimes this serious, but it is our job at the Department of Justice to investigate potential crimes without fear or favor.”

The U.S. attorney said, although Farwell is charged, he still must go to trial and appear before a jury.

Who was Sandra Birchmore?

Birchmore was born in May of 1997 in Stoughton, Massachusetts.

Before she died, Birchmore’s friends said she was doing well at her job with Sharon Public Schools and had dreams of becoming a nurse, as noted in court documents. Newsweek reached out to some of Birchmore’s acquaintances, but they have not yet responded.

During her younger years, she had an interest in law enforcement. In March of 2010, Birchmore applied to be a participant in the Stoughton Police Explorers.

The Explorer Program provides young people with opportunities to explore different career paths, including law enforcement. Police departments across the country partner with the Explorer Program to establish local Explorer Programs.

The Stoughton Police Department organized and led the Stoughton Police Explorers, exposing youth participants to various aspects of policing in a structured and disciplined environment.

Birchmore joined the program at the age of 12 years old and stayed in the program until 2016, this is where she met Farwell.

On March 27, 2012, the Stoughton Police Department hired Farwell, where he worked until his resignation on April 1, 2022.

Before joining the Stoughton Police Department, Farwell volunteered with the Police Explorers. After becoming an officer, he took on the role of an instructor, teaching firearms and explosives safety and conducting K9 demonstrations. Farwell was already well-acquainted with the Police Explorers, having participated in the program as a teenager.

Farwell developed an inappropriate relationship with Birchmore while she was learning about law enforcement, a field she was eager to pursue.

Farwell, along with his twin brother William Farwell and Richard Devine, began grooming Birchmore when she was just 12 years old. This occurred during her participation in the Stoughton Police Department’s Explorers program, the U.S. attorney said during a press conference.

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