The former Massachusetts police detective who is accused of killing a pregnant woman is now also charged in connection with the death of her unborn child. Matthew Farwell, formerly a member of the Stoughton Police Department, was originally indicted in August 2024 in the death of 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore. He body was found on Feb. 4, 2021, in her apartment in Canton. She was three months pregnant.According to court documents, while Birchmore’s death was initially ruled a suicide, a federal investigation examined old evidence and revealed critical new evidence leading to the charges against Matthew Farwell.A superseding indictment was filed in the case on Tuesday. It adds a count for a violation of the protection of unborn children.Farwell’s trial is scheduled to begin in one year. In 2022, Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara said Matthew Farwell, his twin brother, officer William Farwell and officer Robert Devine demonstrated serious misconduct in their interactions with Birchmore.According to an internal affairs investigation, Birchmore was 13 years old when she met Matthew Farwell through the department’s Youth Explorers Program. He allegedly began an inappropriate relationship with Birchmore when she was 15 and he was 27.According to court documents, Matthew Farwell was a member of the Stoughton Police Department from March 2012 through April 2022, serving as an instructor for the Stoughton Police Department’s Explorers Program, a vocational education program designed for youth to learn about careers in law enforcement.Federal authorities said Birchmore was 12 years old when she joined the Stoughton Explorers Program in 2010. Investigators said Matthew Farwell used his authority and access to groom, sexually exploit and ultimately sexually abuse Birchmore, and continued to have sex with her when she became an adult.On several occasions, Matthew Farwell allegedly engaged in sex acts with Birchmore while on duty as a Stoughton police officer.Video below: Federal officials announce indictmentFederal investigators said to conceal the activity, Matthew Farwell falsely represented that he had worked certain hours when, in fact, he was not working but engaging in sex acts with the then-minor victim.Investigators said in December 2020, Birchmore learned that she was pregnant. Soon after she learned she was pregnant, Birchmore told Matthew Farwell that he was the father of the child and that she expected him to be involved in the child’s life. Investigators said Birchmore told loved ones that Matthew Farwell allegedly became violent with her when they discussed the pregnancy and his role in the child’s life. At one point, while she was pregnant, Matthew Farwell allegedly held Birchmore in a headlock and told her that he wished she were dead.Federal investigators said on or about Jan. 20, 2021, Birchmore’s friend called the Stoughton Police Department and referenced Matthew Farwell and Birchmore’s sexual relationship.Investigators said when Matthew Farwell learned about it, he sent Birchmore angry text messages and, a few days later — approximately one week prior to Birchmore’s death — Matthew Farwell visited Birchmore at her apartment in Canton and asked her if she could give him a spare apartment key and keep it a secret.Federal authorities said one week prior to Birchmore’s death, Matthew Farwell visited her apartment and began looking through her closets and bathroom.According to court documents, facing perceived imminent disclosure of his criminal conduct, Matthew Farwell killed Birchmore on or about Feb. 1, 2021, to silence her.Video below: Trial date set for Farwell

BOSTON —

The former Massachusetts police detective who is accused of killing a pregnant woman is now also charged in connection with the death of her unborn child.

Matthew Farwell, formerly a member of the Stoughton Police Department, was originally indicted in August 2024 in the death of 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore. He body was found on Feb. 4, 2021, in her apartment in Canton. She was three months pregnant.

According to court documents, while Birchmore’s death was initially ruled a suicide, a federal investigation examined old evidence and revealed critical new evidence leading to the charges against Matthew Farwell.

A superseding indictment was filed in the case on Tuesday. It adds a count for a violation of the protection of unborn children.

Farwell’s trial is scheduled to begin in one year.

In 2022, Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara said Matthew Farwell, his twin brother, officer William Farwell and officer Robert Devine demonstrated serious misconduct in their interactions with Birchmore.

According to an internal affairs investigation, Birchmore was 13 years old when she met Matthew Farwell through the department’s Youth Explorers Program. He allegedly began an inappropriate relationship with Birchmore when she was 15 and he was 27.

According to court documents, Matthew Farwell was a member of the Stoughton Police Department from March 2012 through April 2022, serving as an instructor for the Stoughton Police Department’s Explorers Program, a vocational education program designed for youth to learn about careers in law enforcement.

Federal authorities said Birchmore was 12 years old when she joined the Stoughton Explorers Program in 2010. Investigators said Matthew Farwell used his authority and access to groom, sexually exploit and ultimately sexually abuse Birchmore, and continued to have sex with her when she became an adult.

On several occasions, Matthew Farwell allegedly engaged in sex acts with Birchmore while on duty as a Stoughton police officer.

Video below: Federal officials announce indictment

Federal investigators said to conceal the activity, Matthew Farwell falsely represented that he had worked certain hours when, in fact, he was not working but engaging in sex acts with the then-minor victim.

Investigators said in December 2020, Birchmore learned that she was pregnant. Soon after she learned she was pregnant, Birchmore told Matthew Farwell that he was the father of the child and that she expected him to be involved in the child’s life. Investigators said Birchmore told loved ones that Matthew Farwell allegedly became violent with her when they discussed the pregnancy and his role in the child’s life. At one point, while she was pregnant, Matthew Farwell allegedly held Birchmore in a headlock and told her that he wished she were dead.

Federal investigators said on or about Jan. 20, 2021, Birchmore’s friend called the Stoughton Police Department and referenced Matthew Farwell and Birchmore’s sexual relationship.

Investigators said when Matthew Farwell learned about it, he sent Birchmore angry text messages and, a few days later — approximately one week prior to Birchmore’s death — Matthew Farwell visited Birchmore at her apartment in Canton and asked her if she could give him a spare apartment key and keep it a secret.

Federal authorities said one week prior to Birchmore’s death, Matthew Farwell visited her apartment and began looking through her closets and bathroom.

According to court documents, facing perceived imminent disclosure of his criminal conduct, Matthew Farwell killed Birchmore on or about Feb. 1, 2021, to silence her.

Video below: Trial date set for Farwell