Sandra Birchmore Trial Updates: The Matthew Farwell Case
Last updated October 5, 2026
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday, October 6, in the federal trial of former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell. Farwell is charged in connection with the 2021 death of Sandra Birchmore, a 23-year-old pregnant woman whose death was initially ruled a suicide.
Farwell has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Federal prosecutors allege that he killed Sandra and staged her apartment to make her death appear to be a suicide. His defense maintains that Sandra died by suicide.
This page will track verified developments from the trial, including jury selection, major testimony, rulings, closing arguments, and the verdict.
Who Was Sandra Birchmore?
Sandra Birchmore grew up in Stoughton, Massachusetts, and wanted to become a police officer. At age 12, she joined the Stoughton Police Explorers program, a youth career-exploration program operated by the local police department.
Sandra’s family and friends described a young woman who was looking for belonging and trusted the police officers involved in the program. She was 23 years old and pregnant when she died in February 2021.
Federal prosecutors allege that Matthew Farwell, then a Stoughton police officer and an Explorers instructor, used his authority and access to groom and sexually exploit Sandra beginning when she was a minor. Farwell denies the allegations and the criminal charges against him.
What Happened to Sandra Birchmore?
On February 1, 2021, surveillance footage recorded Farwell entering Sandra’s Canton apartment building after she told him by text that the door would be unlocked. That was Sandra’s final outgoing message.
After Sandra missed work for several days, police conducted a welfare check on February 4. They found her dead in her apartment. Her death was initially classified as suicide, with asphyxia by hanging listed as the cause of death.
In 2026, the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner amended Sandra’s death certificate. It now lists the cause of death as asphyxia and the manner of death as undetermined.
What is Matthew Farwell Charged With?
Matthew Farwell faces two federal charges:
Killing a witness or victim. Prosecutors allege that Farwell killed Sandra to prevent information about possible federal crimes from reaching law enforcement.
Protection of unborn children. Prosecutors allege that Sandra was eight to 10 weeks pregnant when she died and that the conduct charged in Sandra’s death also caused the death of her unborn child.
These are allegations, not convictions. The government must prove every element of each charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Why Is This a Federal Case?
The central federal allegation is not only that Sandra was killed. Prosecutors must also prove that Farwell acted with the intent to prevent information about possible federal offenses from being communicated to law enforcement.
The superseding indictment identifies potential federal offenses that prosecutors allege Sandra could have disclosed, including alleged civil-rights violations, coercion or enticement, and wire fraud connected to Farwell’s work as a police officer.
What Do Prosecutors Allege?
According to the federal indictment, prosecutors allege that Farwell strangled Sandra on February 1, 2021, then staged her Canton apartment to make her death appear to be a suicide.
They allege that Farwell feared Sandra would disclose details about their relationship and his alleged conduct as a police officer. The indictment alleges that their sexual contact began before Sandra was 16 and continued until her death.
The jury will decide whether the government’s evidence proves those allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
What Has the Defense Said?
Farwell has pleaded not guilty and denies responsibility for Sandra’s death. His defense maintains that Sandra died by suicide.
Before trial, the judge ruled that the defense may introduce evidence relating to Sandra’s mental-health struggles and suicidal thoughts. The court has also made a series of pretrial rulings about what testimony and records the jury may hear. Those rulings do not decide whether Farwell is guilty or innocent.
When Does the Matthew Farwell Trial Start?
Jury selection begins Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in U.S. District Court in Boston. Prospective jurors are scheduled to complete questionnaires Tuesday. Attorneys and the court are expected to review them Wednesday, followed by individual questioning Thursday.
Judge Denise J. Casper has asked attorneys to be ready for opening statements as early as Friday, October 9, although the schedule can change depending on jury selection.
The court expects the trial to last about 20 days. Sixteen jurors are expected to be selected: 12 jurors and four alternates.
Why Did Sandra’s Death Certificate Change?
Sandra’s death was initially ruled a suicide. In 2026, the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner amended the death certificate after saying some details surrounding her death had not been available when the original determination was made.
The amended certificate lists the cause of death as asphyxia rather than asphyxia by hanging, and the manner of death as undetermined rather than suicide.
That change is separate from the federal criminal case. At trial, prosecutors and the defense will each present their evidence and arguments, and the jury will decide whether the government has proved the charges.
Frequently Asked Questions:
When does the Matthew Farwell trial begin?
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Opening statements could begin by the end of that week if jury selection is completed on schedule.
What is Matthew Farwell charged with?
He is charged federally with killing a witness or victim and with causing the death of an unborn child under the federal Protection of Unborn Children statute. He has pleaded not guilty.
Who was Sandra Birchmore?
Sandra Birchmore was a 23-year-old pregnant woman from Stoughton, Massachusetts. She was found dead in her Canton apartment in February 2021.
Was Sandra Birchmore’s death originally ruled a suicide?
Yes. Her original death certificate listed suicide as the manner of death. In 2026, the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner changed the manner of death to undetermined and changed the cause of death from asphyxia by hanging to asphyxia.
What does the defense say happened?
Farwell denies responsibility, has pleaded not guilty, and his defense maintains that Sandra died by suicide.
How long will the trial last?
The court expects the trial to last about 20 days, but the actual schedule can change.
What happens next?
The court will begin jury selection October 6. This page will be updated when there is a major, verified court development, including a jury being seated, opening statements, important testimony, a ruling, a verdict, or sentencing.
SOURCES
U.S. Department of Justice: Original federal charge against Matthew Farwell
U.S. Department of Justice: Superseding indictment and unborn-child charge
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts: Superseding indictment
https://www.justice.gov/d9/2025-10/usa_v._matthew_farwell_-_superseding_indictment.pdf
WHDH: October 5, 2026 jury-selection update
The Enterprise: Jury-selection plan and expected trial schedule
WCVB: Amended Sandra Birchmore death certificate
