A former police officer in Massachusetts, already indicted for the alleged murder of Sandra Birchmore, a pregnant woman, now faces a superseding indictment for allegedly causing the death of her unborn child.
Matthew Farwell, 39, of Easton, was charged with one count of causing the death of Birchmore’s unborn child, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, Ted E. Docks, announced today.
Farwell, who was arrested and charged in August 2024, remains in federal custody and will be arraigned at a later date.
Accordign to the Department of Justice, Farwell allegedly killed Birchmore by strangulation on or about February 1, 2021. Following the act, he is accused of staging her body and apartment to make it appear as though Birchmore had committed suicide.
Prosecutors allege Farwell killed Birchmore with ‘malice aforethought’ and with the intent to prevent her from disclosing his years of sexual exploitation to law enforcement.
The indictment claims Farwell used his authority as a police officer to groom and sexually abuse Birchmore, beginning when she was 15 years old and continuing until her death, sometimes while he was on duty.
The indictment further alleges that Farwell’s killing of Birchmore resulted in the death of her unborn child.
According to court documents, it’s alleged that Farwell had agreed to ‘attempt to impregnate her’ in the Fall of 2020 to prevent her from publicly disclosing details about their relationship.
However, after Birchmore told Farwell she was “keeping it” and that “the birth certificate is being signed,” Farwell allegedly responded by calling her “the worst person on the face of the earth.”
In the weeks leading up to her death, Birchmore reportedly expressed excitement to Farwell about her pregnancy, making plans for ultrasounds, genetic testing, and doctor appointments that post-dated her death.
She also booked prenatal care appointments, ordered baby items, conducted Google searches related to child-rearing, and planned for newborn baby photos and an official pregnancy announcement intended for Valentine’s Day.
Birchmore was eight to 10 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, according to the DOJ.
The charge of causing the death of an unborn child in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1841 carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and governing statutes.
READ: Florida Man Sentenced To 11 Consecutive Life Sentences For Capital Crimes Against Children
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