FBI arrests ex-police officer who allegedly faked suicide in murder case

BOSTON (TND) — A former detective accused of killing a pregnant Massachusetts woman in 2021 was arrested Wednesday.

FBI officials in Boston said Matthew Farwell was arrested for the suspected murder of Sandra Birchmore.

Farwell was working for the Stoughton Police Department when 23-year-old Birchmore was found dead in her apartment.

According to WBZ, a 2022 internal investigation found that three Stoughton police officers had inappropriate sexual relationships with Birchmore.

Matthew Farwell was named as one of the officers involved, along with William Farwell and Richard Devine.

Farwell is also accused of staging Birchmore's apartment to make it look like she had committed suicide.

Federal prosecutors alleged that Farwell and Birchmore had a sexual relationship since Birchmore was a teenager. Prosecutors believe Farwell killed the young woman to prevent her from revealing their relationship.

Birchmore's death was ruled a suicide. NBC Boston reported that a pathologist hired by Birchmore's parents ruled her death a homicide.

According to a federal indictment filed Tuesday, Farwell is alleged to have strangled Birchmore.

Farwell was taken into custody without incident, the FBI wrote on X.

A press conference on Farwell's arrest is expected at 1:45 p.m.