Prosecutors claim former officer Farwell is 'serious flight risk' in Birchmore murder case

New DNA evidence ties Farwell to crime scene and murder weapon, prosecutors say

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:35pm

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An extreme close-up of a knotted ligature against a stark black background, the harsh lighting creating dramatic shadows and textures that convey a sense of violence and brutality without depicting any actual crime scene.New forensic evidence ties the accused former officer to the murder weapon, raising the stakes in this high-profile case.Boston Today

Prosecutors have revealed new evidence in the case of Sandra Birchmore's murder, claiming that former Stoughton officer Matthew Farwell, who is accused of killing Birchmore, presents a serious risk of flight and obstruction. The prosecutors say Farwell's DNA was found on the ligature used to kill Birchmore, and they also have evidence of Farwell's state of mind before the murder.

Why it matters

This case has drawn significant attention due to the allegations of an inappropriate relationship between Farwell and Birchmore when she was a minor, as well as the claim that Farwell killed her after learning she was pregnant with his child. The new evidence presented by prosecutors could have major implications for Farwell's defense and the outcome of the case.

The details

Prosecutors say Farwell raped Birchmore as a child and continued to have a sexual relationship with her as an adult. They believe Farwell killed Birchmore on February 1, 2021, after learning she was pregnant with his child, and then staged the crime scene to make it look like a suicide. The new court filing states that DNA evidence ties Farwell to the crime scene and the murder weapon, with his DNA found on the ligature used to asphyxiate Birchmore. The filing also reveals that an unidentified person is the biological father of Birchmore's unborn child, not Farwell or his brother.

  • Approximately two weeks before Birchmore's death, Farwell told a co-worker he was having relationship problems with a woman other than his wife and that the problem was 'going to take care of itself'.
  • Birchmore was found dead in her apartment on February 1, 2021.

The players

Matthew Farwell

A former Stoughton police officer accused of killing Sandra Birchmore, whom he allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with when she was a minor and continued to have a sexual relationship with as an adult.

Sandra Birchmore

A 23-year-old woman who was found dead in her apartment in 2021, with her death initially ruled a suicide, but prosecutors now allege she was murdered by Farwell.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on April 12 whether to grant Farwell's request to be released on $50,000 bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious allegations against Farwell, including the claim that he had an inappropriate relationship with Birchmore as a minor and then killed her after learning she was pregnant with his child. The new DNA evidence presented by prosecutors could significantly impact Farwell's defense and the outcome of the case.