Affidavit of FBI Special Agent Chenee Castruita (US v. Matthew Farwell) Sandra Birchmore Murder Case

Case 1:24-cr-10259-DJC Document 9-1 Filed 08/28/24 Page 1 of 45
AFFIDAVIT OF SPECIAL AGENT CHENEE CASTRUITA IN SUPPORT OF

GOVERNMENT’S MOTION FOR DETENTION
I, Chenee Castruita, having been sworn, state:
Introduction and Agent Background
1. I have been a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation since June of
2022. I am currently assigned to the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Squad of FBI’s Boston
Division, where I investigate public corruption and civil rights offenses. I am a graduate of the
FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and I have received on-the-job training and attended courses
sponsored by the FBI and Department of Justice on how to conduct investigations regarding
violations of various federal laws. I am a “federal law enforcement officer” within the meaning
of Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41(a)(2)(C).
2. The facts in this affidavit come from my personal observations and review of
records, my training and experience, and information obtained from other agents and witnesses.
This affidavit is filed in connection with the government’s motion for detention. Therefore, it does
not set forth all of my own and the other investigators’ knowledge about this matter.
3. I submit this affidavit in connection with the government’s motion to detain
defendant MATTHEW FARWELL pending trial. As alleged in the indictment charging
FARWELL with violating 18 U.S.C. § 1512(a)(1)(C), and as further described below, on February
1, 2021, FARWELL killed Sandra Birchmore with the intent to prevent her from communicating
to law enforcement certain information regarding FARWELL’s commission or possible
commission of the following federal crimes:
a. Using a facility or means of interstate commerce to persuade, induce, entice,
or coerce then-15-year-old Birchmore to engage in unlawful sexual intercourse, in violation of 18
U.S.C. § 2422(b) (coercion and enticement);
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b. Depriving Birchmore of certain rights secured by the United States
Constitution by committing statutory rape while acting under color of law, in violation of 18 U.S.C.
§ 242; and
c. Participating in a scheme to defraud the Stoughton Police Department and
Town of Stoughton through false representations, or material omissions, about the hours
FARWELL worked in order to receive compensation for official time when he was, in fact,
engaging in sexual intercourse with Birchmore, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343.
Overview of the Investigation
4. On February 1, 2021, then-Stoughton Police Detective MATTHEW FARWELL
killed Sandra Birchmore. FARWELL committed this murder, at least in part, to prevent Birchmore
from disclosing to authorities information regarding his commission or possible commission of
one or more crimes, including coercion and enticement in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b),
deprivation of rights under color of law in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242, and a then-ongoing wire
fraud scheme in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. FARWELL’s murder of Birchmore was the
culmination of FARWELL’s years-long pattern of abuse targeting Birchmore.
5. When she was a young girl, Sandra Birchmore was interested in pursuing a career
in law enforcement, and eventually joined the Stoughton Police Explorers Academy (hereinafter,
“Police Explorers”) to learn more about law enforcement careers. While Birchmore was in the
program, FARWELL was involved as both a volunteer and an instructor. FARWELL used his
authority and access to groom, sexually exploit, and ultimately sexually abuse then-15-year-old
Birchmore. FARWELL continued this sexual abuse after Birchmore became an adult, and he
continued to engage in an extramarital sexual relationship with Birchmore until he killed her on
February 1, 2021.
2
6. There are signs that, in late 2020 and early 2021, FARWELL was losing control of
Birchmore and the information she possessed about his past and then-ongoing conduct. In or
around December 2020, Birchmore became pregnant. Soon thereafter, Birchmore told FARWELL
that he was the father of her child and she wanted him to be more involved in the planning for the
impending birth. In January 2021, Birchmore’s friend contacted FARWELL’s employer, the
Stoughton Police Department, and during that call referenced FARWELL and Birchmore’s illicit
sexual relationship. Shortly thereafter, a Stoughton Police Department employee told FARWELL
about that call.
7. By the end of January 2021, FARWELL faced the specter of additional disclosures
to law enforcement regarding his prior sexual abuse of Birchmore and his then-ongoing efforts to
defraud the Stoughton Police Department and Town of Stoughton by meeting her for sex when he
was supposed to be on duty as a police officer. On February 1, 2021, FARWELL went to
Birchmore’s apartment in Canton, Massachusetts wearing a COVID-19/medical facemask. Once
inside, he killed her and staged her body and apartment to make it appear that Birchmore had died
by suicide.
8. On February 4, 2021, three days after the murder, members of the Canton Police
Department went to Birchmore’s apartment to conduct a well-being check. When police officers
entered Birchmore’s apartment, they found her body. A paramedic determined that Birchmore
was dead, and her body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (hereinafter,
the “OCME”).
9. In early May 2021, an OCME pathologist ruled Birchmore’s manner of death to be
suicide.
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I. Evidence that Farwell committed federal offenses or possibly committed

federal offenses by sexually abusing Birchmore when she was a minor.
10. MATTHEW FARWELL started sexually exploiting Sandra Birchmore no later
than 2013, when she was 15 years old.1 At that time, Birchmore was enrolled in the Police
Explorers. FARWELL used his position of trust and authority as a sworn police officer and
instructor in the Police Explorers to groom Birchmore. Ultimately, FARWELL sexually abused
Birchmore, including by engaging in sexual intercourse with her.
11. The Explorer Program is a vocational education program that enables youth to
explore career paths, such as careers in law enforcement. Police departments throughout the
country partner with the Explorer Program to create what are commonly known as local Police
Explorers Programs. The Stoughton Police Department chartered and facilitated the Stoughton
Police Explorers. It was a quasi-paramilitary program designed to expose youth participants to
various aspects of policing.
12. FARWELL became a sworn member of the Wellesley Police Department in 2008.
On March 27, 2012, he was hired by the Stoughton Police Department, where he worked until he
resigned on April 1, 2022. Prior to joining Stoughton Police Department in 2012, he was a Police
Explorers volunteer. After joining the Stoughton Police Department, he served as a Police
Explorers instructor. He had several roles as an instructor, including teaching firearms and
explosives safety and conducting canine demonstrations. At the time, FARWELL was already
familiar with the Police Explorers because he had also been a participant as a teenager.
1
FARWELL was born in 1985.
4
13. In March 2010, Sandra Birchmore applied to be a Police Explorers participant. At
the time, Birchmore was 12 years old. She began participating in the program in the spring of
2010, and she remained in the program through 2016.
14. FARWELL began to groom Birchmore when she was a child. 2 This grooming
culminated in FARWELL raping Birchmore in April 2013, when she was only 15 years old. 3 At
the time of this assault, FARWELL was 27 years old. FARWELL continued to sexually abuse
Birchmore prior to her eighteenth birthday. After Birchmore turned 18 years old, FARWELL
continued cultivating a sexual relationship with her that lasted until her death on February 1, 2021.
A. Electronic messages between Farwell and Birchmore indicate that

Farwell sexually abused Birchmore when she was a child.
15. After Birchmore’s death, law enforcement agents obtained Birchmore’s cell
phones, both Apple iPhones, and laptop and reviewed the data on those devices. During that
review, agents discovered messages between FARWELL and Birchmore. The messages
confirmed that FARWELL frequently communicated with Birchmore for years. The messages
also indicate that FARWELL had sex with Birchmore when she was a minor, starting in or around
April 2013, when Birchmore was 15 and FARWELL was 27.
2
Based on my training and experience, “grooming” is the process of a predator building a
relationship with a child or vulnerable adult in order to gain their trust, enabling the groomer to
ultimately exploit the child or otherwise vulnerable person.
3
Under Massachusetts law, any intercourse with a person under the age of 16 is unlawful
and constitutes sexual abuse, specifically, statutory rape. M.G.L. ch. 265 § 23. Furthermore, any
person who has sex with a child under the age of 16, being at least 10 years older than that child
at the time of the intercourse is guilty of Aggravated Statutory Rape. M.G.L. ch. 265 § 23A (b).
Finally, any mandated reporter who has sex with a child under 16 years old is guilty of Aggravated
Statutory Rape. M.G.L. ch. 265 § 23A (c). During the relevant time period, as a Stoughton police
officer, FARWELL was a mandatory reporter under Massachusetts law.
5
16. Data from Birchmore’s Facebook account reveals aspects of the beginning of
FARWELL and Birchmore’s online communications. Specifically, Facebook data indicates that
FARWELL sent Birchmore a Facebook “friend request” on October 28, 2012. At that time,
Birchmore was 15 years old and a participant in the Police Explorers. FARWELL was her 26-
year-old instructor.
17. On February 21, 2019, Birchmore and FARWELL had a text message conversation
about FARWELL taking Birchmore’s virginity. Birchmore told FARWELL that she was happy
that he “took it.” Later in the same conversation, FARWELL acknowledged that it was “a big
thing to get to be the first.”
18. In the same text conversation, FARWELL also reminisced about the first time he
digitally penetrated Birchmore’s vagina. Discussing the day that occurred, FARWELL asked
Birchmore what she would have done if he (FARWELL) told her he wanted her that day.
Birchmore responded that she would have told him that he could have sex with her “after school.”
She also recalled the specific class and seat that she was in when she realized that she was going
to lose her virginity to FARWELL. Based on my investigation, I believe that this occurred during
the 2012-2013 school year when Birchmore was 15 years old.
19. Additionally, on March 19, 2019, FARWELL asked Birchmore, “what would you
have done if we never used a condom and I never pulled out . . .” Birchmore reassured FARWELL
that she “wouldve [sic] still finished school :)” Birchmore then told FARWELL, “I loved prom
night! It was worth not going to prom.”
6
20. On February 11, 2020, Birchmore and FARWELL discussed the exact day that
FARWELL took then 15-year-old Birchmore’s virginity:
BIRCHMORE: I had butterflies so bad the day you took my virginity
FARWELL: Me too it was such a big day
BIRCHMORE: Still know the date to this day
FARWELL: Really?
BIRCHMORE: Yes.
FARWELL: :)
BIRCHMORE: Thats not a date I’ll ever forget
BIRCHMORE: It was april 10, 2013
FARWELL: :)
BIRCHMORE: Best day of my life [face with heart emoji]
FARWELL: Me too
21. On June 19, 2020, Birchmore and FARWELL had the following conversation in
which FARWELL reminisced about his past criminal sexual abuse of Birchmore:
BIRCHMORE: I’m glad you agreed to take my virginity though
FARWELL: Me too
* * *
FARWELL: Lol if I pushed I absolutely could’ve fucked you

without condoms from day one
BIRCHMORE: Probably if you really pushed it.
BIRCHMORE: I was kinda scared to say no in the beginning not

knowing how you’d take it so yeah you wouldve got
no comdoms [sic] lol.
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B. Other electronic messages confirm that Farwell sexually abused

Birchmore when she was a child.
22. Text messages between Birchmore and others confirm that FARWELL sexually
abused Birchmore as a child and continued a sexual relationship with her until her death. For
example, on October 5, 2020, Birchmore texted one of her friends (hereinafter, “Person 1”) that
FARWELL had been having sex with her for “the last almost 10 years” and that FARWELL had
taken her virginity “before [she] was 16.” On May 20, 2020, Birchmore told another friend that
she had lost her virginity five days before the Boston Marathon bombing. 4
23. Also on October 5, 2020, Birchmore prepared a draft text message to FARWELL’s
wife. Birchmore sent this draft text to Person 1. The text states, in part: “I am just messaging to
inform you that your husband Matthew has been out cheating on you since before you guys were
even married.” I am aware that FARWELL and his wife got married in May 2013, shortly before
Birchmore turned 16 years old. There is no known record indicating the draft message was sent
to FARWELL’s wife.
24. Other text messages between FARWELL and Birchmore demonstrate his sexual
interest in minors. On June 15, 2019, FARWELL and Birchmore exchanged text messages in
which they discussed role-playing during their next sexual encounter. FARWELL asked
Birchmore how old she was going to pretend to be during that encounter. When Birchmore
responded “14,” FARWELL replied with a smiley face emoji. In another conversation between
FARWELL and Birchmore on February 21, 2020, FARWELL describes pinning Birchmore down
during sex and asks her: “Will you say Matt stop I’m 13 I’m not ready for this omfg please stop.”
4
I am aware that this event took place on April 15, 2013.
8
25. I have also reviewed several text messages from 2020 in which FARWELL
instructs Birchmore to act as if he were her older brother coming into her room at night to have
sex with her.
C. Witnesses confirm that Farwell cultivated a close relationship with

Birchmore when she was a child.
26. Agents have interviewed one of Birchmore’s friends (hereinafter, “Person 2”)
regarding Birchmore’s relationship with FARWELL. Person 2 indicated that shortly before her
death, Birchmore revealed to him/her that FARWELL started having sex with Birchmore when
she was 15 years old.
27. Agents have also interviewed one of Birchmore’s relatives, who described being
aware that Birchmore would meet with FARWELL when Birchmore was a minor. Specifically,
this family member indicated that around the time Birchmore was a freshman in high school, 5 she
would tell him/her that she was meeting with FARWELL so he could help her with homework.
28. I have reviewed a text message exchange between FARWELL and Birchmore from
June 17, 2019, where the two discuss how FARWELL had helped her “test prep” at the library.
FARWELL told Birchmore that she should have told him that she was interested in having sex
with him that day. Birchmore told him that she was scared to speak up. FARWELL then asked
her, “did you think I wouldn’t want to fuck you?” Birchmore responded, “Yes and like cause of
my age I didnt want you to be like uhhh no wtf.” FARWELL then told her, “I understand that.”
29. In a conversation from April 5, 2020, FARWELL told Birchmore that he knew he
wanted to take her virginity when he “started helping [her] with school work.” Additionally, on
5
Birchmore was a freshman in high school from September 2011 – June 2012.
9
February 21, 2020, Birchmore and FARWELL reminisced about when they first became sexually
active:
BIRCHMORE: I listened better back then tho
FARWELL: I wish it had been a year sooner after helping you study at
the library
FARWELL: You still listen and give me whatever I want baby
BIRCHMORE: I didnt even make you wait a year after that
BIRCHMORE: And good. But I dont think your gonna get what you want
next time so
FARWELL: Of course I will I’ll just take it
BIRCHMORE: That’s what you think. Good luck with that
FARWELL: What was the first day you said omg I want this guy to be
my first I want to feel him inside me
BIRCHMORE: Yeah so 2012 I finally decided that I was gonna try and find
a way to fuck you and just wasnt sure how.
BIRCHMORE: How did you feel when I asked to make your dream come
true
FARWELL: Amazing!
BIRCHMORE: Good
FARWELL: I absolutely would’ve fucked you in 12
BIRCHMORE: In 12?
FARWELL: 2012
30. Agents have also interviewed one of Birchmore’s childhood friends (hereinafter,
Person 3”). Person 3 confirmed that Birchmore would meet FARWELL to “help with her
homework.” Moreover, Person 3 indicated that Birchmore confided in him/her that she was
meeting with FARWELL in early high school to have sex with him in his police car or his truck.
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II. Evidence that Farwell committed federal offenses or possibly committed

federal offenses by submitting false information to obtain wages for time
spent engaging in sex acts with Birchmore.
A. Farwell defrauded the Stoughton Police Department and Town of

Stoughton.
31. On multiple occasions, FARWELL engaged in sex acts with Birchmore while on
duty as a Stoughton police officer. To cover this up, FARWELL falsely represented that he had
worked certain hours, when in truth and in fact, he was not working. Rather, he was engaging in
sex acts or spending time with Birchmore. Accordingly, FARWELL’s misconduct was also part
of a scheme to obtain wages from the Stoughton Police Department, an agency of the Town of
Stoughton, through false statements or material omissions regarding the hours he was on duty and
working as a police officer.
B. Farwell’s text messages with Birchmore indicate that he had sex with
Birchmore while he was on duty as a Stoughton police officer.
32. Text messages between FARWELL and Birchmore indicate that, on multiple
occasions, FARWELL left work during his shifts to meet and, at times, engage in sexual activity
with Birchmore. These encounters occurred at various locations, including Birchmore’s previous
home in Stoughton, her more recent apartment in Canton, a Costco parking lot in Stoughton, and
a Five Guys parking lot in Canton. Examples of dates and approximate start times of these
encounters are listed here:
Date Approximate Start Time
April 10, 2020 11:46pm
May 1, 2020 11:10pm
May 20, 2020 7:14pm
July 1, 2020 9:36pm
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September 22, 2020 7:32pm
October 5, 2020 7:03pm
October 6, 2020 7:09pm
October 12, 2020 7:31pm
October 19, 2020 9:44pm
October 23, 2020 8:01pm
October 25, 2020 10:43pm
November 6, 2020 10:27pm
December 11, 2020 10:52pm
January 8, 2021 10:09pm
January 16, 2021 10:02pm
January 23, 2021 10:08pm
January 29, 2021 10:07pm
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33. I have reviewed messages that reveal that both FARWELL and Birchmore knew
that some of their encounters occurred while FARWELL was on duty. For example, on April 10,
2020, FARWELL wrote, “I’m going to sneak away from work quick.” On November 24, 2020,
Birchmore asked if FARWELL would be on duty when the two were scheduled to meet.
FARWELL responded, “Yes I will be on the clock”.
34. The text messages between FARWELL and Birchmore, which precede several of
the above-listed encounters, contain statements indicating that the purpose for at least some of the
encounters was to engage in sex acts. For example, on several occasions, FARWELL sent
Birchmore text messages directing her to act as if she was being raped during the ensuing
encounter.
C. Farwell’s scheme to defraud caused interstate wire communications.
35. The Town of Stoughton pays Stoughton police officers on a bi-weekly basis. In or
around 2020 and January 2021, FARWELL received his paychecks via direct deposit to his
account at USAA Federal Savings Bank. The paycheck funds originated with Rockland Trust
Bank, and were deposited in FARWELL’s account via an Automated Clearing House (“ACH”)
transfer. Each ACH transfer originated outside of Massachusetts, and/or traveled through another
state before terminating in FARWELL’s account.
36. Accordingly, it appears that by engaging in sexual conduct when he should have
been performing official duties as a police officer, and obtaining pay for that time, FARWELL
may have committed wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343.
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III. Farwell killed Birchmore to prevent her from disclosing information about his
commission of federal crimes and possible commission of federal crimes.
37. As described in detail below, there is evidence that FARWELL killed Birchmore
on February 1, 2021 to prevent her from disclosing information about his possible commission of
the federal crimes listed above.
A. Birchmore’s Pregnancy
38. On October 5, 2020, Person 1 told Birchmore that FARWELL’s wife was pregnant
with the couple’s third child. Person 1 indicated that the baby was due in February 2021.
Birchmore responded that she was going to tell FARWELL’s wife that he had been having sex
with her (Birchmore) for nearly ten years.
39. In summary, electronic messages between FARWELL and Birchmore for the
period beginning on or about October 5, 2020, through January 2021, indicate that Birchmore
presented FARWELL with an ultimatum: FARWELL would have to agree to engage in
unprotected sex with Birchmore with the goal of conceiving a child; and in return, Birchmore
would not disclose their relationship. Birchmore had already told others that FARWELL had been
having sex with her since before she was 16 years old, which she knew was a crime, and Birchmore
knew that FARWELL was leaving work to have sex with her while he was on duty as a Stoughton
police officer.
40. According to text messages between FARWELL and Birchmore, Birchmore sent
FARWELL a photo of her ovulation schedule and the two started discussing timing their sexual
encounters around specific times in Birchmore’s cycle.
41. Approximately one week after FARWELL agreed to have unprotected sex in order
to conceive a child, FARWELL and Birchmore had a disagreement about the terms of their
agreement. The following is an excerpt from a text conversation on October 12, 2020:
14
FARWELL: I said the agreement was once that was our

compromise
BIRCHMORE: I asked if we could try this month, didn’t realize that

meant you fuck me once lol. And Then I asked if we
could try through this year and you said I’d think
about it.
42. The conversation continued on October 13, 2020:
FARWELL: Our compromise was try once.
BIRCHMORE: Yeah it was to try this month
BIRCHMORE: So your thinking about the second thing I said as far

as the rest of the year?
FARWELL: You said try once this month if it happens it’s meant
to be those are the exact words.
43. Text messages indicate that a few weeks later, Birchmore continued to discuss
trying to get pregnant. On November 3, 2020, she asked FARWELL if they could try again that
month or whether they would need to talk “in person about that.” FARWELL responded, “that’s
an in person discussion.” On November 5, 2020, Birchmore asked FARWELL if he had given
any more thought to their prior conversation and told him that she thought of a way they could
both be happy:
BIRCHMORE: How would you feel about us having a baby, you

being there AND signing the birth certificate (theres
never gonna be a need for your information anyway
so youll be safe there) and I wont talk shit about her
or your kids. That way we both get what we want.
BIRCHMORE: You asked me the other day what I wanted and I

didn’t want to give it to you in the form of an
ultimatum so I am trying to do it with you as a
compromise type of thing Can you tell me what you
thought of?
15
BIRCHMORE: I’m down for discussing it in person but the more I

thought about it you signing it really isn’t going to
have an impact on you cause of the way things are
going to fall in the future.
FARWELL: ok that’s an in person discussion
44. In November 2020, after Birchmore learned that she was not yet pregnant, she
asked FARWELL about continuing to try to conceive for another month. On multiple occasions,
FARWELL told Birchmore that they would need to discuss that topic in person. FARWELL
continued to meet with Birchmore in person and text messages suggest that they remained sexually
active.
45. On December 28, 2020, Birchmore sent FARWELL a text message informing him
that she was pregnant. She sent him a photo of a poster she had made to celebrate the pregnancy:
46. FARWELL’s immediate response to Birchmore’s disclosure about the pregnancy
was, “I literally have nothing to say right now how could you express that in text when I said I
don’t appreciate it.” FARWELL and Birchmore then argued about the pregnancy in the following
text conversation:
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FARWELL: How far are you?
BIRCHMORE: Regardless of how far we’re keeping it…
BIRCHMORE: but 3.5 weeks
* * *
BIRCHMORE: Which means I concieved [sic] this month
* * *
FARWELL: Ok well we need to talk then.
BIRCHMORE: No shit. That’s obvious
BIRCHMORE: And the birth certificate is being signed
BIRCHMORE: Or hers isn’t. 6
* * *
BIRCHMORE: No I’m mad your acting how you are over a CHOICE
WE BOTH MADE
FARWELL: I’m mad you act like you gave anyone a choice
BIRCHMORE: Lmao oh so you didn’t have a choice
BIRCHMORE: ?
FARWELL: Per usual you make and do whatever you want
BIRCHMORE: All I did was say can I have it you said have what and
I said you know what im asking for and you stood up
and said yeah
BIRCHMORE: You’ve been doing that. You mad shes due in

February and I am in September and you dont know
how your gonna be there for both of us.
BIRCHMORE: And you need to be there during labor for me too
6
At the time of these text messages, I know that FARWELL’s wife was 8 months pregnant
with his third child. Based on the context of these texts and prior messages, I believe Birchmore
was referring to the birth certificate for the child that Farwell’s wife was then carrying.
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BIRCHMORE: Becuase [sic] your kid should matter
BIRCHMORE: Late august-early September**
FARWELL: You are truly the worst person on the face of the
earth…
47. After the foregoing conversation, Birchmore again threatened to expose the truth
about FARWELL’s prior sexual abuse and their ongoing relationship. FARWELL responded by
indicating that Birchmore had threatened him, causing him to agree to impregnate her.
FARWELL: For the past week and half the doctor wasn’t right but now
she was and you just throw it at me cause now you’ve got
me. You honestly have absolutely no idea how to treat
people. I have fucking bent over backwards for you. Now
you want to act like this was some free will decision. You
have threatened me from the word go if I didn’t do and give
you what you wanted you would ruin me. I made a deal with
you and you changed the terms at every turn. We will deal
with this tomorrow.
B. Farwell’s Escalating Physical Violence.
48. On December 29, 2020, FARWELL and Birchmore met to talk in person. After
this meeting, Birchmore sent FARWELL a text alluding to a physical encounter.
BIRCHMORE: it made me really uncomfortable and stressed out and scared

when you were next to me because I thought you were gonna
hit me after you said what you said and took things out of
my hand. That’s why I was crying. I know you wouldn’t
but it still scared me.
49. At least three witnesses have disclosed that, in the weeks before her death,
Birchmore told them that FARWELL was physically violent when Birchmore and Farwell
discussed the pregnancy. According to death records, Birchmore was 4 feet, 10 inches tall.
Military records indicate that FARWELL is 6 feet, 4 inches tall.
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50. Person 2 reported that, in the weeks prior to Birchmore’s death, she was “over the
moon” about her pregnancy. According to Person 2, Birchmore had decreased her coffee
consumption, discussed winter clothes for her future baby, and engaged in FaceTime calls with
Person 2 while selecting baby clothes. Person 2 indicated that Birchmore was nervous about telling
FARWELL about the pregnancy but that she eventually did. In January 2021, Birchmore called
Person 2 and stated that, after telling FARWELL about the baby, FARWELL told her that “he
wished [she] just would die and he wants nothing to do with the baby.” According to the
information Birchmore shared with Person 2, FARWELL put Birchmore in a headlock and
grabbed her cell phone from her hand. Person 2 told Birchmore to distance herself from
FARWELL, given that he was dangerous, a police officer, and obviously did not care about the
law. However, Person 2 was also aware that Birchmore appeared to be attached to FARWELL
because he had taken her virginity when she was 15 years old.
51. Person 3 also indicated that, in the days before her death, Birchmore disclosed that
FARWELL had been violent. Approximately 10 days before Birchmore’s death, Birchmore and
Person 3 went to Walmart to buy a baby stroller for Birchmore’s future child. Birchmore was
excited about the baby and asked Person 3 to be the child’s godmother. Birchmore told Person 3
that the day prior, FARWELL had gotten angry with her for showing him a fetal sonogram.
According to Birchmore, FARWELL told her, “that’s not my child. I don’t want anything really
to do with you,” and then FARWELL pushed her to the ground. Person 3 told Birchmore to end
the relationship with FARWELL. Person 3 indicated that Birchmore seemed scared but not ready
to leave FARWELL because FARWELL had been such a big part of Birchmore’s life for several
years.
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52. Additionally, Person 7, Birchmore’s long-time therapist, reported that, in the weeks
before Birchmore’s death, Birchmore reported to her that FARWELL got upset about the
impending pregnancy and “shoved” her.
53. In addition to these descriptions of FARWELL’s violence targeting Birchmore
from Person 2, Person 3, and Person 7, Birchmore’s text messages to Person 1 further confirm
FARWELL’s escalating violence. On January 10, 2021, Birchmore sent Person 1 a text message
indicating that she had recently argued with FARWELL. Birchmore told Person 1 that, during the
argument, FARWELL took her cell phone out of her hand three times and refused to give it back
to her. Birchmore also indicated that FARWELL took her computer out of her hand and used his
body to shove her.
C. In January 2021, there was increasing pressure on Farwell.
54. In January 2021, the pressure on FARWELL increased as a result of Birchmore’s
pregnancy. Birchmore tried to communicate with FARWELL regarding her due date, ultrasounds,
genetic testing, gender reveals, and doctor appointments. In his text responses, FARWELL was
unresponsive to or dismissive of those topics, or he appeared to ignore them. On January 4, 2021,
Birchmore told FARWELL that she was going to the doctor the next day and asked if he wanted
to know how the appointment went. FARWELL did not directly respond to that question.
55. On January 5, 2021, Birchmore asked FARWELL to come over so they could
discuss her estimated due date, the week of her first ultrasound, her conversation with her doctor,
and her first appointment. FARWELL did not respond directly to that request.
20
56. Text messages from January 3, 2021 show that Birchmore asked FARWELL if
their child could have his last name. However, he told her he would not discuss that issue via text
message.7
BIRCHMORE: So I have a compromise for you
BIRCHMORE: You don’t need to sign the bc if the baby can have your last
name…
* * *
FARWELL: Not discussing in text. We can talk in person.
57. In another text message on January 6, 2021, Birchmore began to ask FARWELL
what their family would look like.
BIRCHMORE: 1. You don’t have to sign the bc if I’m allowed to at least list
you and they can have your name and I won’t move to
Stoughton or [the town where FARWELL’s family resides.]
BIRCHMORE: 2. I won’t bitch about holidays- but I would like you to come
a few days before Christmas and Easter so you can see what
they get from me and I don’t want you to leave them out.
And 3. If you want to try and support them, we can talk about
that. But I do want you to see them.
BIRCHMORE: I feel like I’m trying to be as fair as I can. And I want you
there for labor… That I’m standing my ground on.
BIRCHMORE: Last name**
FARWELL: ok we can discuss this more in person.
BIRCHMORE: Okay. I figured. Does it kinda sound ok to you?
7
FARWELL’s reluctance to discuss the pregnancy via text message is significant because
it is inconsistent with FARWELL and Birchmore’s long history of text message discussions
regarding seemingly private topics. For example, there are thousands of text messages between
FARWELL and Birchmore in which FARWELL discusses details regarding his work as a police
officer, his sexual fantasies that were predominantly violent and included many references to
choking and rape, and graphic details about their previous sexual encounters.
21
FARWELL: It a lot to think about it’s so much more than you have ever
asked for.
* * *
BIRCHMORE: And still less than what any other girl would ask for
58. On January 20, 2021, Person 2 called the Stoughton Police Department, and in that
call referenced the sexual relationship between Birchmore and FARWELL. After learning about
this call—the fact of which suggested at least some aspects of FARWELL’s illicit conduct may
have been exposed to the Stoughton Police Department—FARWELL sent Birchmore text
messages revealing his extreme anger. He sent her a series of text messages with expletives, telling
Birchmore that he thought no one knew about their relationship, that she had no clue how bad this
was, and indicating that he does not know if he needs to worry about other disclosures.
FARWELL: Dude your fucking friend called my job Sandra wtf
BIRCHMORE: ?
FARWELL: You’re [sic] friend [Person 2’s name] just called my fucking
work to complain about me wtf
BIRCHMORE: Idk
FARWELL: What do you mean you don’t know
BIRCHMORE: I literally just woke up
FARWELL: Did you steal from her?
BIRCHMORE: Nope
FARWELL: What is going on?
FARWELL: You also told me that no one knew about us yet she claimed
we are fucking
* * *
BIRCHMORE: It’s literally nothing
22
FARWELL: It’s not nothing she called my job that’s insane.
* * *
FARWELL: Why would she call and drop my fucking name Sandra? Like
what do I have to do with you not giving her something?
* * *
FARWELL: Like you have no idea how bad what she did is
* * *
FARWELL: I literally can’t believe this is even real life like what else do
I have to worry about now? Which other friend will do
something tomorrow?
59. During this investigation, I have interviewed Person 5, an employee of the
Stoughton Police Department, who received the call from Person 2 on January 20, 2021. 8 Person
5 indicated that he/she took down Person 2’s name and information and gave it to FARWELL.
Person 5 indicated that FARWELL immediately got angry and “pissed off” and ordered Person 5
“not to speak about this to anyone and to never talk about it again.” Person 5 described
FARWELL’s reaction as atypical and not consistent with his normal behavior.
D. Birchmore’s Final Days
60. On January 24, 2021, approximately one week prior to Birchmore’s death, she
communicated with Person 8 about FARWELL.
BIRCHMORE: Soo the father came by last night it was like a complete 360
change
PERSON 8: 180?
BIRCHMORE: Yeah lol
8
Person 5 did not have an independent memory of the date of the call, but I have confirmed
such date through business records.
23
PERSON 8: Good or bad?
BIRCHMORE: Good, but unexpected. So it kinda threw me off and made

me a little uncomfortable but that’s cause of how things were
going. He asked me if I’d give him a key and said that if I
keep it a secret he’ll be around and see them and all that. So
its somewhere. Then he looked in my closet and then the
bathroom but idk why haven’t figured that out.
BIRCHMORE: We started to heart to heart then work called him so he had

to leave.
BIRCHMORE: Oh and he brought me a ginger ale because I ran out
PERSON 8: What about the birth certificate?
BIRCHMORE: I think he’s signing it not sure
BIRCHMORE: Hes coming back again this week
BIRCHMORE: But it was like a complete like 180 from where we were at
61. Based on my training and experience, I believe that FARWELL’s shift in demeanor
on or about this date was his attempt to appease Birchmore until he could kill her. Additionally,
the foregoing text messages, considered in light of the other evidence, suggests that FARWELL
was making a plan to kill Birchmore. Part of that plan included asking Birchmore to give him a
key and keep it secret. Another part of that plan was inspecting various rooms of Birchmore’s
apartment, including the closet, to determine whether they contained items or presented options
for how and when to kill Birchmore.9
62. FARWELL’s request for a key for Birchmore’s apartment in the week leading up
to her death is corroborated by other evidence. I have reviewed text messages between FARWELL
and Birchmore from January 24, 2021, in which Birchmore gave FARWELL the passcode to her
9
On February 4, 2021, Canton Police found Birchmore’s body next to the closet door with
a duffle bag strap around her neck. The strap was wrapped around the closet door handle.
24
building’s front door and told him, “I have your key too when you want it”. Additionally, I have
reviewed records from Walmart that suggest that Birchmore did, in fact, pay approximately $2.00
to have a key copied at approximately 11:10 a.m. on January 24, 2021.
63. According to text messages Birchmore and FARWELL exchanged on January 29,
2021, Birchmore again gave FARWELL the passcode to her building’s front door and FARWELL
verified that the code was the general one given to the entire building, not just one assigned to her.
64. FARWELL requesting or accepting a key to Birchmore’s apartment was a sudden
change from recent conversations. I have reviewed text messages between FARWELL and
Birchmore—one as recent as October 14, 2020—in which FARWELL told her that he did not
think it was a good idea for him to keep a key to her new (Canton) apartment. In a conversation
with her friend, Person 9, on January 24, 2021, Birchmore indicated that she was surprised that
FARWELL was now requesting a key to her apartment:
PERSON 9: Did it go good with him
BIRCHMORE: I got hit with a shocker question. Can I call you
BIRCHMORE: So what really well surprisingly him he asked if he could

have a key I am basically said he’ll be around as long as I
keep it a secret and don’t tell anybody
BIRCHMORE: But he did admit that I do have the upper hand in the situation
Which isn’t a good thing but I’m trying to and not be that
person if you know what I mean
PERSON 9: I get it are you gonna give him a key
BIRCHMORE: I just made a copy of it yeah
PERSON 9: That’s good
BIRCHMORE: I’m not gonna give it to him yet but he also brought me a
Ginger ale last night like I asked him to
PERSON 9: He’s coming around
25
BIRCHMORE: A lot more than I thought he was going to yes
BIRCHMORE: I still have to verify the pin for him to get into the apartment
if he rings me and I don’t answer
BIRCHMORE: But like last night he open my closet door for some thing and
then he went in my bathroom looking at my bathroom and
then I have a dolly in my living room that he asked why I
had it was just really odd he started looking around I don’t
know
PERSON 9: That’s weird
BIRCHMORE: Yeah it was really weird
65. According to text messages between FARWELL and Birchmore two days before
Birchmore’s death, she continued to engage FARWELL about planning for the birth of their child.
On January 30, 2021, Birchmore asked FARWELL if she could tell him the baby names she was
considering. FARWELL told her he would rather discuss that topic in person.
66. Leading up to February 1, 2021, Birchmore planned for other important baby-
related events, such as who would care for her cats when she went into labor. 10 She ordered baby
items and conducted Google searches related to her pregnancy and future child-rearing decisions.
She also planned for newborn baby photos, an official pregnancy announcement, which she
planned to do on Valentine’s Day, as well as a gender reveal. 11 She also made plans for her more
immediate future, scheduling an OBGYN appointment for February 10, 2021, and asking
FARWELL to help shovel out her car during the impending snowstorm.
10
This planning is of note because it indicates that shortly before her death, Birchmore was
doing things that indicated her plans for the future. It is also important because it reveals a level
of care for her pets that is inconsistent with the circumstances of her death. Specifically, when
police found Birchmore’s body in her apartment on February 4, 2021, her cats were present. She
had made no arrangements for the animals.
11
During the investigation, agents also learned that Birchmore had been taking classes in
preparation for applying to nursing school.
26
E. The day Birchmore died.
67. On February 1, 2021, at 12:19 p.m., Birchmore sent FARWELL text messages
indicating that she was going to be released early (at 12:35 p.m.) from her job at the Sharon Public
Schools. FARWELL told her that he would not be in the area that day.
68. Later in the afternoon of February 1, 2021, Birchmore told FARWELL that she had
received an early gift in the mail and that she was not planning to have a baby shower until late
March because of the then-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She told FARWELL that once she
learned whether they were having a boy or a girl, she wanted him to purchase clothes for the child
to wear when he or she came home from the hospital.
69. Investigators have reviewed surveillance videos from Birchmore’s Canton
apartment building.12 On February 1, 2021, she is seen on the video at approximately 5:01 p.m.,
accepting a DoorDash order, and then again going outside briefly and returning with a snow brush
at 5:31 p.m, and 5:33 p.m., respectively. The last time Birchmore is seen alive on the video is on
February 1, 2021, at 5:33 p.m..
70. Later that evening, at approximately 9:08 p.m., FARWELL sent Birchmore a text
message asking whether he could “come by for a second.” At approximately 9:10 p.m., Birchmore
sent FARWELL a text message indicating that when he arrived at her apartment, the door would
be open for him. This is the last known outgoing message sent from Birchmore’s cell phone.
71. Surveillance video shows FARWELL entering Birchmore’s Canton apartment
building at 9:14 p.m.13 In the surveillance video, FARWELL is wearing street clothes, a hoodie
12
I am aware that the electronic timestamp on the apartment complex’s video surveillance
system was off by approximately 13 minutes. The surveillance video times set forth in this affidavit
account for this 13-minute difference and are therefore the approximate real times of the events.
13
I have reviewed Massachusetts State Police investigative reports which tentatively
identify FARWELL as the person on surveillance footage entering Birchmore’s apartment on
27
with the hood up, and a facemask that is similar to the medical facemasks that many people used
during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have interviewed multiple witnesses who have each indicated
that FARWELL resisted wearing a mask during the pandemic. One of these witnesses stated that
FARWELL would only wear a mask when on duty and required by department policy to do so.
The video surveillance recording shows that FARWELL left Birchmore’s apartment at 9:43 p.m.
F. Canton police officers found Birchmore’s body on February 4, 2021.
72. On February 4, 2021, Canton police officers conducted a well-being check at
Birchmore’s apartment. One of Birchmore’s co-workers called the police because Birchmore had
failed to show up for work that day. When officers arrived, they found Birchmore’s body seated
on the floor in a reclined position with a duffle bag strap tied around her neck. That strap was
connected to her closet doorknob—the closet that FARWELL had inspected approximately one
week earlier. At least one first responder quickly concluded that Birchmore had been deceased for
“days.”
73. I have reviewed crime scene photographs that depict Birchmore wearing the same
clothing that she was wearing when she is seen on video entering her apartment on February 1,
2021, at approximately 5:33p.m. This is consistent with Birchmore having died later that same
evening.
74. According to police reports, when Birchmore’s body was found, her cell phone was
on the floor located approximately 12 inches from her right hand and 6 inches from her bent right
knee.
February 1, 2021. I have also reviewed a report regarding State Police detectives’ interview of
FARWELL, in which FARWELL admitted that he went to Birchmore’s apartment on February 1,
2021. In that interview, FARWELL stated that he had been there between approximately 9:10
p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
28
75. I have reviewed the data on Birchmore’s phone. A log report indicates that the
phone was locked from 9:13 p.m. on February 1, 2021, until the device powered off because of
battery loss on February 3, 2021. On February 1, 2021, while still locked, Birchmore’s phone
recorded a screenshot of a black screen at 9:18 p.m. In other words, after sending a final text
message to FARWELL to tell him the door was unlocked, Birchmore’s phone locked and was not
unlocked until after the device was recovered by police.
76. Health data on Birchmore’s phone indicates that the last movement recorded by the
phone on February 1, 2021, occurred at 9:40 p.m. 14 That was 3 minutes before FARWELL was
captured on surveillance video leaving Birchmore’s apartment. Specifically, this data indicates
that the mechanism that Apple uses to record movement registered eight steps at approximately
9:40 p.m. These recorded steps occurred while FARWELL was still in Birchmore’s apartment.
The phone recorded no additional steps between 9:40 p.m. and the time it was recovered by first
responders on February 4, 2021. As noted above, first responders ultimately found the phone next
to Birchmore’s body. Based on my review of the frequency of Birchmore’s phone use over weeks,
months, and years leading up to her death, her failure to access her phone is inconsistent with her
usual habits when alive and awake.15
77. I reviewed Birchmore’s phone use from the hours leading up to her death on
February 1, 2021. The following are some of the items in Birchmore’s phone data from the hours
14
Based on my training and experience, I am aware that Apple iPhones can be used to
track and retain health-related data of the user, including but not limited to “steps” taken.
15
I have also interviewed multiple witnesses who have reported on Birchmore’s frequent,
almost incessant, phone use. In fact, one witness referred to Birchmore’s phone as her “third
hand.”
29
before her death. This is evidence that appears to be inconsistent with Birchmore, a pregnant
woman, choosing to die by suicide that day:
Time Event
1:25p.m. - Birchmore communicated with a photographer regarding the timeline for

1:31p.m. booking a newborn photography shoot
7:57 p.m. Birchmore texted a friend to obtain baby clothes from her
8:25 p.m. Birchmore performed a Google search for “Cubby Kids” furniture
G. The condition of, and items found in, Birchmore’s apartment were
inconsistent with Birchmore dying by suicide.
78. I have interviewed family members who helped clean Birchmore’s apartment in the
days following her death. Some of the things they observed were also inconsistent with Birchmore
deciding to die by suicide. For example, during their first visit, they noted that Birchmore had
been in the middle of doing laundry when she died, with a load of wet clothes in the washing
machine and another load dry in the dryer. Additionally, they observed a homemade sign saying,
“Congratulations you’re going to be a father.” That sign had an ultrasound photo on it and was
sprinkled with glitter.
79. Additionally, in Birchmore’s apartment, family members observed a new baby
stroller that was still in its package. They also observed homemade and store-bought onesies for
a baby. One onesie read, “We’re going to be PARENTS!” with a set of footprints underneath.
Birchmore had packages that had been delivered recently, including clothing and other supplies
for her baby. Birchmore had ordered items shortly before her death and packages continued to
arrive in the days following her death.
30
80. Finally, family members found a necklace that belonged to Birchmore lying on the
floor of her bedroom. This necklace consisted of a thin gold chain with a pink flamingo charm. 16
The family members observed that the necklace’s chain was broken, but not at the clasp. There
was also a large clump of hair on the chain. From my review of the crime scene photos, I observed
that, while the strap was still around Birchmore’s neck, the necklace was broken and hanging from
the left side of her neck. The necklace’s charm was on the right side of her abdomen.
H. Autopsy and Medical Evidence
81. An OCME pathologist (hereinafter, the “Medical Examiner”) performed an autopsy
on Birchmore’s body. The Medical Examiner determined that Birchmore’s cause of death was
asphyxia by hanging. The Medical Examiner ruled Birchmore’s manner of death a suicide. The
Medical Examiner’s written autopsy report noted that Birchmore’s hyoid bone (a U-shaped bone
at the front of the neck) was fractured on the right side and that she suffered from petechial
hemorrhages of the bulbar and palpebral conjunctivae. Additionally, the Medical Examiner
concluded that Birchmore had a hemorrhage of her left sternothyroid muscle.
82. The Medical Examiner’s autopsy report further confirmed that Birchmore was
approximately 8 to 10 weeks pregnant at the time of her death. The autopsy included toxicology
testing. The results of the toxicology tests were negative for all substances except for sertraline,
which was likely explained by the antidepressants Birchmore had been prescribed.
83. As part of this investigation, the government retained Dr. William Smock as an
expert to independently review the crime scene photos, autopsy photos, and the Medical
Examiner’s autopsy report. Dr. Smock is an emergency medicine residency and forensic
16
In my review of Birchmore’s phone data, I noticed several photos of Birchmore in which
she is wearing this necklace.
31
fellowship trained physician with more than 40-years of experience in the forensic evaluation of
injuries, crime scenes, the forensic evaluation and reconstruction of wounds, including asphyxia-
related deaths. His training, experience and position as a Police Surgeon, Instructor at the
Louisville Metro Police Academy, Instructor for the U.S. Department of Justice, a Professor of
Emergency Medicine, Medical Director of an EMS service, Physician and Medical Advisor to the
FBI and U.S. Marshals Service, and an Assistant Medical Examiner with the Kentucky Medical
Examiner’s includes the emergency treatment, investigation, and reconstruction of asphyxia-
related deaths and the analysis of crime scene for evidence of alteration. He has treated and
evaluated thousands of patients, both fatally and non-fatally injured, who have experienced the
physiological consequences of asphyxia, including strangulation. Dr. Smock has written, lectured
extensively and trained thousands of law enforcement officers, physicians, nurses, judges and
attorneys on evidence collection, crime scene investigation, the analysis and reconstruction of
wounds, injury mechanisms, and the medical risks and consequences of asphyxia.
84. Based on his review of the evidence, Dr. Smock has made several observations and
conclusions that call into question the prior finding that Birchmore’s cause of death was suicide
and instead further confirm that Birchmore’s cause of death was homicide.
85. First, Dr. Smock concluded that the fracture of the right superior horn of
Birchmore’s hyoid bone is not consistent with the position in which first responders found her:
sitting. A sitting hanging is called “an incomplete hanging,” meaning only partial body weight is
applied to the neck ligature. Dr. Smock’s review of hundreds of cases of hangings in the forensic
medical literature found no reported cases of hyoid bone fractures in seated women. Fractures of
the hyoid bone are more commonly seen in strangulation assaults and in hangings with full body
weight applied to the ligature, but not seated hangings.
32
86. Second, Dr. Smock noted that, during the autopsy, a pattern imprint was
documented on Birchmore’s right upper chest. The pattern imprint was the consequence of a
buckle or buckles from the ligature strap being forced downward into Ms. Birchmore’s chest. The
presence of this pattern imprint is not consistent with a ligature hanging. Rather, the presence of
the pattern is consistent with blunt force trauma from an assault. When first responders found
Birchmore’s body, the buckle responsible for this imprint was observed just below her right ear.
However, the location of the imprint on her chest is not consistent with an incomplete ligature
hanging.
87. Third, Dr. Smock reviewed the autopsy photos that depict Birchmore with areas of
skin missing from the inferior and lateral aspects of her nose consistent with abrasions. These
types of injuries are commonly seen in cases of suffocation when the victim moves their nose back
and forth in an effort to breathe.
88. Fourth, Dr. Smock noted that Birchmore was in the habit of always wearing a chain
necklace with a flamingo pendant. The chain was found broken around Birchmore’s neck. The
breaking of Birchmore’s chain necklace is consistent with a struggle.
89. Dr. Smock, based on his education, experience, training and his review of the
materials in this case opined, with a reasonable degree of medical and scientific certainty, that the
cause of Ms. Birchmore’s death is asphyxia and that the manner of her death is homicide.
I. Massachusetts State Police Interview of Matthew Farwell
90. On February 6, 2021, two days after police found Birchmore’s body in her
apartment, Massachusetts State Police detectives interviewed FARWELL. The interview occurred
in the parking lot of a Stoughton elementary school. During this interview, FARWELL made
several false statements about his relationship with Birchmore.
33
91. FARWELL told officers that he was involved in a sexual relationship with
Birchmore, but he claimed the relationship only began in 2020. Based on this investigation,
FARWELL’s statement to detectives was false. As described above, FARWELL began having
sex with Birchmore in 2013 and continued to have sex with her until near her death.
92. FARWELL told detectives that he had only had sex with Birchmore two or three
times in the previous year. This statement was also false. Based on text messages between
FARWELL and Birchmore, FARWELL had sexual intercourse with Birchmore on at least 10
occasions between January 1, 2020, and February 1, 2021.
93. FARWELL also told detectives that he could not have been the father of
Birchmore’s unborn child because the last time he had intercourse with her was October 2020.
This statement was also false. Set forth below is a text message conversation between FARWELL
and Birchmore on November 18, 2020, in which they discussed an upcoming sexual encounter:
FARWELL: I’m going to try for tonight I’ve been in interviews

all day from the murder Sorry
BIRCHMORE: Exciting. Okay. I’m running to the store and doing

something for you then. I hope you can come
FARWELL: What are you doing for me?
BIRCHMORE: Lol shaving.
BIRCHMORE: Are you planning on rolling me over? I need to know

what you want if you come?
FARWELL: If you want me to roll you
* * *
FARWELL: Would you want me to use a condom if I roll you?
BIRCHMORE: I dont have any lol. I never picked any up.
* * *
34
BIRCHMORE: Do you want me to just take what you do or try and

say no? I know being told no is your favorite
FARWELL: Say no
BIRCHMORE: 😉 I can do that
94. Approximately 21 minutes after the foregoing text messages, FARWELL told
Birchmore that he was at her apartment and subsequent text messages indicate that she let him in.
Approximately 25 minutes later, Birchmore asked FARWELL via text message whether he
enjoyed having vaginal sex with her again and he responded, “yeah.”
95. During the February 6, 2021, interview, FARWELL told detectives that he had been
at Birchmore’s apartment on the night of February 1, 2021. However, he denied having anything
to do with her death. He told detectives that he had arrived around 9:10 p.m. and left around 9:30
p.m. I am aware from my review of surveillance footage from Birchmore’s apartment building
that FARWELL actually left at 9:43 p.m. That was after Birchmore’s phone stopped sending
messages or recording movement. Within approximately 13 hours of FARWELL’s visit to
Birchmore apartment on February 1, 2021, his wife gave birth to their third child at Newton
Wellesley Hospital, adding to the intensifying pressure to ensure that Birchmore would not
disclose information regarding FARWELL’s conduct.
96. FARWELL told detectives that he had not seen Birchmore at all in the week leading
up to her death, except during the visit to her apartment on February 1, 2021. Based on my review
of the text messages between FARWELL and Birchmore, FARWELL visited Birchmore at her
apartment on January 29, 2021.
97. FARWELL told detectives that Birchmore had been “sectioned” many times.
Based on my training and experience, “sectioned” is a term that Massachusetts law enforcement
officers often use to refer to the practice of involuntarily hospitalizing, on a temporary basis,
35
persons with severe mental health issues. However, the Stoughton Police Department, the law
enforcement agency in the town where Birchmore lived her whole life before moving to Canton
on or about December 1, 2020, has a record of Birchmore being subject to this temporary mental
health hospitalization only one time, in May of 2020. According to police records and information
disclosed by Person 7, on that day, Birchmore had gotten into a fight with a family member, who
called the police and reported Birchmore was going to harm herself. The police took Birchmore
to the hospital, where she was evaluated and deemed not at risk for self-harm. She was released a
few hours later. According to Person 7, Birchmore stated that she was not suicidal, just angry at
her family member. Additionally, I am aware that, minutes after Birchmore’s release from this
unfounded “section,” FARWELL and Birchmore engaged in a graphic sexual conversation. Later,
Birchmore apologized for worrying FARWELL and FARWELL replied, “I wasn’t worried. I
know you are fine.”
98. The Canton Police Department has no record of Birchmore being subject to
temporary mental health hospitalization. While there is evidence that indicates that Birchmore
may have had suicidal ideations on a few occasions between 2016-2018, which FARWELL likely
knew about because he was exploiting her during that time, I am not aware of credible evidence
of any suicidal ideations in the approximately three years leading up to her death. In fact, all of
the witnesses who agents interviewed about their interactions with Birchmore in the weeks leading
up to her death suggested that, during that period, she was excited, optimistic, and involved in
future planning.
99. Person 7 had a therapy session with Birchmore on January 31, 2021. During that
meeting, Person 7 screened Birchmore for any signs of depression or suicidal ideation. He/she
found none. Person 7 had regular sessions with Birchmore and noted no signs of depression or
36
suicidal ideation in the months leading up to Birchmore’s death, and had her next appointment
scheduled with Birchmore for February 4, 2021.
100. Additionally, FARWELL told detectives that he “had been trying to distance
himself” from Birchmore. This is inconsistent with evidence that in Birchmore’s final days,
FARWELL asked for a key to her apartment. I have also reviewed a text message from January
28, 2021, just days before Birchmore’s death, in which FARWELL told her that when he came
over that night, he would give her “hugs.” In that same conversation, he told her that he may not
be able to visit her because he was “at a death” but that it was all good because “we do them all
the time.”17 In addition, I have reviewed a text message exchange between Birchmore and
FARWELL from January 29, 2021, in which Birchmore expressed joy at FARWELL agreeing to
engage in sexual activity with her again.
J. Farwell’s post interview conduct
101. Following Birchmore’s death, the Stoughton Police Department placed FARWELL
on administrative leave. Around that time, FARWELL met a co-worker, Person 4, at a local bar.
During that meeting, FARWELL told Person 4 that he had a sexual relationship with Birchmore.
However, according to Person 4, at no point during that conversation did FARWELL express any
sadness, grief, or remorse about Birchmore’s death. FARWELL told Person 4 that he was “angry
with MSP for looking into him.”
102. At some point during the summer of 2021, Person 4 attended a social gathering
with FARWELL during which FARWELL participated in a joke about Birchmore being “hung on
the door.”
17
I am aware that in FARWELL’s time as a Stoughton Police officer and then detective,
he responded to unattended deaths.
37
III. Additional Evidence Relevant to Detention
A. Farwell had a history of choking Birchmore.
103. Through this investigation, agents have identified evidence that FARWELL
expressed an interest in violent sex and has a history of choking Birchmore. On more than one
occasion, FARWELL asked Birchmore to perform his rape fantasies during sex, whereby
Birchmore would pretend to be the victim of FARWELL’s simulated sexual assaults.
104. Moreover, I have reviewed text messages that indicate that over the course of their
relationship, FARWELL initiated the concept of choking Birchmore on numerous occasions. In
2020, the year preceding her death, text messages reveal that FARWELL told Birchmore on at
least 20 separate occasions that he would grab her throat, pin her down by her throat, squeeze her
throat, or choke her during sexual activity. These messages were sent on the following dates:
January 29, 2020; February 10, 2020; February 21, 2020; March 9, 2020; March 23, 2020; March
30, 2020; April 2, 2020; May 11, 2020; May 14, 2020; May 15, 2020; June 4, 2020; June 7, 2020;
June 13, 2020; June 27, 2020; August 5, 2020; August 14, 2020; September 25, 2020; October 14,
2020; October 15, 2020; and November 13, 2020.
105. Based on my review of Birchmore’s journal entries, as early as 2013 (when
Birchmore was just 16 years old), FARWELL introduced the idea of choking during their sexual
encounters and discussions.
106. One such example of FARWELL promising to choke Birchmore occurred on
October 14, 2020, when FARWELL told Birchmore that he was going to “cover her mouth” during
sex and “maybe I’ll choke you a little.” In that same conversation, FARWELL told Birchmore,
“I’ll grab your throat and say you wont’ [sic] say a word to anyone.”
38
107. On October 15, 2020, FARWELL told Birchmore that, during their next sexual
encounter, he was going to “grab [her] throat and say stfu now or I won’t pull out.” 18
108. On November 13, 2020, FARWELL and Birchmore again discussed choking. In
that conversation, FARWELL told Birchmore, “Maybe I’ll hold you down by your throat while I
pound you…” He asked her “how tight” he should squeeze and then stated that he wanted her to
feel like “omg this is really happening and I can’t stop it.”
B. Farwell used violent sex as a form of punishment.
109. Birchmore’s journal entries from 2013 through 2020 detail a continuous and
sometimes violent sexual relationship with FARWELL. Birchmore often journaled about
FARWELL using sex acts to punish her. According to her journal entries, FARWELL would
engage in forceful oral, vaginal, and anal sex acts to punish her for her mistakes such as getting
bad grades, having intercourse with other people, and failing to share her cell phone location with
him. I have reviewed numerous text messages that FARWELL sent Birchmore, including some
from March of 2019, which are consistent with FARWELL’s practice of using certain sex acts to
punish her for lying or being intimate with someone else. For example, in a text conversation on
March 7, 2019, FARWELL said:
FARWELL: You would have to take a serious pounding to make

me happy
* * *
BIRCHMORE: Is it for everything?
FARWELL: No.
* * *
FARWELL: You owe me 3
18
Based on my training and experience, I know that the acronym “stfu” means “shut the
fuck up.”
39
* * *
FARWELL: I’ll give you a break and spread them out
BIRCHMORE: Please not all the same day
FARWELL: No I’ll give you like a week so you can feel it and
then as soon as it goes away you’ll get it again so you
feel it for like a whole month
* * *
BIRCHMORE: Not gonna be a fun month
FARWELL: Not for you
C. Farwell’s fixation with rape fantasies.
110. Text messages between FARWELL and Birchmore reveal FARWELL’s interest in
sexual assault. For example, in one text conversation on November 8, 2020, FARWELL told
Birchmore that he enjoyed having sex with her. When Birchmore asked what would be perfect
for him, FARWELL replied, “you say no and make me take it. Full r word.” 19 When Birchmore
indicated that she was amenable to that, FARWELL responded, “doesn’t matter I’ll do whatever I
want anyways.”
111. During another text message conversation between FARWELL and Birchmore,
FARWELL instructed Birchmore to call him “daddy” during sexual encounters. In that
conversation on October 18, 2020, FARWELL told Birchmore that “daddy” was going to engage
in anal sex with her. He also indicated that when he was done, he was going to grab her hair, pull
her head back, and tell her to “keep [her] fucking mouth shut do you understand me.”
19
Based on my review of the text messages between FARWELL and Birchmore, I believe
FARWELL is referring to rape as the “r word” in this message.
40
D. Farwell has obsessive and controlling tendencies.
112. Text messages between FARWELL and Birchmore include FARWELL’s repeated
demands that Birchmore set her phone’s location sharing settings to allow him to always view her
location. In these text conversations, FARWELL indicated Birchmore needed to share this
information in order to gain back his trust for her alleged lies and infidelity.
a. On March 11, 2019, FARWELL asked Birchmore why her location was off
and why he can no longer see it.
b. On March 22, 2019, FARWELL asked Birchmore to reveal her location.
When she responded that she was at “7-11,” FARWELL told her that he knew she was in Abington,
and he asked multiple times why she would go there when “Stoughton has 100 convenience
stores.”
c. On April 22, 2019, FARWELL sent Birchmore a text message stating, “I
know your [sic] hiding shit your location is off again.”
d. On June 22, 2019, FARWELL sent Birchmore a text message asking why
she turned off her location data “the other day.”
e. On July 5, 2019, FARWELL again reached out to Birchmore saying, “I see
your location is off again.”
113. In July of 2020, FARWELL apparently transitioned from wanting to track
Birchmore’s location to prioritizing secrecy.
FARWELL: You can turn your location back off if you want
BIRCHMORE: It wasn’t off. Thats why I wasnt sure why it wasnt showing
up. Then I just unshared and reshared it with you. You can
have it. Its been a thing for years lol.
FARWELL: Lol ok
41
BIRCHMORE: Idc if you know where I am. Im not doing anything I

shouldn’t be. My legs shaking a shit ton rn. Im feeling that
tmrw
FARWELL: lol I know that I just don’t really like any of that stuff big
brother is always watching
BIRCHMORE: I don’t understand what you mean.
FARWELL: I’m just saying iPhones keep track of way too much stuff I
don’t mean anything by it.
E. Farwell’s iCloud account contains disturbing images regarding

violence and necrophilia.
114. During this investigation, pursuant to a federal search warrant, agents obtained and
reviewed data from FARWELL’s iCloud account. Located in FARWELL’s iCloud were several
memes that indicate his interest in sexual intercourse with dead bodies:
a. A meme that states, “what does a pulse and an orgasm have in common? I
don’t care if she has either.” Another meme states, “if you fuck a corpse on a waterbed, it feels
like they are participating.”
b. A meme glorifying a person who kills and sexually abuses someone who
“no one will miss.”
115. FARWELL’s iCloud data also contains images that reveal his interest in domestic
and sexual violence:
a. A meme containing a photo of a woman with tape over her mouth that states,
“Duct tape turning ‘no, no, no’ into ‘mmm, mmm, mmm’ since 1942.”
116. FARWELL’s iCloud data also includes images that could reveal his interest in
strangulation. For example, one such image states, “When she says ‘choke me daddy’ and you get
carried away and now she’s dead.” There is also a screenshot of an image of a woman saying that
she could not sleep, followed by a man choking her saying, “goodnight bitch.”
42
IV. FARWELL’s Efforts to Conceal His Crimes.
117. On February 9, 2021, after giving his personal cell phone to State Police detectives,
FARWELL used his Stoughton Police-issued cell phone to make and delete two Google searches.
First, FARWELL searched for and deleted: “can delete [sic] imessage be recovered hy [sic]
cellebrite.” He then searched for and deleted: “can you revoke consent in massachusetts.”
118. I have identified text messages between FARWELL and Birchmore in which
FARWELL directed Birchmore to destroy evidence of their sexual relationship:
a. On March 11, 2019, FARWELL sent Birchmore a text reminding her to
“Make sure you clear all this out.”
b. On March 19, 2019, FARWELL sent Birchmore texts about his desire to
use sexual violence and to pretend to rape her. At the end of this conversation, FARWELL sent
her a text indicating that he was going to bed and instructed her to “Clear out this text.”
c. On June 5, 2019, FARWELL directed Birchmore to make sure all of their
text messages and Facebook messages had been deleted.
119. There are also text messages between FARWELL and Birchmore in which
FARWELL directed Birchmore to destroy evidence regarding the beginning of their relationship.
This would be evidence of FARWELL’s efforts to coerce and entice Birchmore to engage in sexual
intercourse when she was 15 years old:
FARWELL: Wish we had just done it for real the first time
BIRCHMORE: I know you do baby : (
FARWELL: it would’ve been perfect
BIRCHMORE: Yes!
* * *
BIRCHMORE: Was it still perfect the first time?
43
FARWELL: Of course it was baby
BIRCHMORE: :)
* * *
FARWELL: I never thought you’d let me
BIRCHMORE: I never thought you would.
FARWELL: I wanted it so bad
BIRCHMORE: So did I! I knew the day we made eye contact I

wasnted [sic] you to fuck me
BIRCHMORE: Wanted*
FARWELL: You should’ve told me we could’ve fucked so much

sooner
BIRCHMORE: :)
FARWELL: Clear that out part out baby
BIRCHMORE: I did
FARWELL: Good girl
[The remainder of this page is blank.]
44
Conclusion
The information set forth above supports the government’s motion to detain Matthew
Farwell pending trial in this case.
Sworn to under the pains and penalties of perjury,
/s/ Chenee Castruita

Chenee Castruita
Special Agent
Federal Bureau of Investigation
August 28, 2024
45

Affidavit of FBI Special Agent Chenee Castruita (US v. Matthew Farwell) Sandra Birchmore Murder Case

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Affidavit of FBI Special Agent Chenee Castruita (US v. Matthew Farwell) Sandra Birchmore Murder Case

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Case 1:24-cr-10259-DJC Document 9-1 Filed 08/28/24 Page 1 of 45

AFFIDAVIT OF SPECIAL AGENT CHENEE CASTRUITA IN SUPPORT OF

I, Chenee Castruita, having been sworn, state:

Introduction and Agent Background

of Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41(a)(2)(C).

3. I submit this affidavit in connection with the government’s motion to detain

defendant MATTHEW FARWELL pending trial. As alleged in the indictment charging

to law enforcement certain information regarding FARWELL’s commission or possible

commission of the following federal crimes:

a. Using a facility or means of interstate commerce to persuade, induce, entice,

or coerce then-15-year-old Birchmore to engage in unlawful sexual intercourse, in violation of 18

U.S.C. § 2422(b) (coercion and enticement);

b. Depriving Birchmore of certain rights secured by the United States

c. Participating in a scheme to defraud the Stoughton Police Department and

engaging in sexual intercourse with Birchmore, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343.

Overview of the Investigation

4. On February 1, 2021, then-Stoughton Police Detective MATTHEW FARWELL

from disclosing to authorities information regarding his commission or possible commission of

culmination of FARWELL’s years-long pattern of abuse targeting Birchmore.

about that call.

was supposed to be on duty as a police officer. On February 1, 2021, FARWELL went to

Birchmore’s apartment in Canton, Massachusetts wearing a COVID-19/medical facemask. Once

9. In early May 2021, an OCME pathologist ruled Birchmore’s manner of death to be

I. Evidence that Farwell committed federal offenses or possibly committed

10. MATTHEW FARWELL started sexually exploiting Sandra Birchmore no later

Birchmore, including by engaging in sexual intercourse with her.

Police Explorers. It was a quasi-paramilitary program designed to expose youth participants to

various aspects of policing.

13. In March 2010, Sandra Birchmore applied to be a Police Explorers participant. At

2010, and she remained in the program through 2016.

A. Electronic messages between Farwell and Birchmore indicate that

April 2013, when Birchmore was 15 and FARWELL was 27.

thing to get to be the first.”

the 2012-2013 school year when Birchmore was 15 years old.

night! It was worth not going to prom.”

FARWELL took then 15-year-old Birchmore’s virginity:

BIRCHMORE: I had butterflies so bad the day you took my virginity

FARWELL: Me too it was such a big day

BIRCHMORE: Still know the date to this day

BIRCHMORE: Thats not a date I’ll ever forget

BIRCHMORE: It was april 10, 2013

BIRCHMORE: Best day of my life [face with heart emoji]

BIRCHMORE: I’m glad you agreed to take my virginity though

FARWELL: Lol if I pushed I absolutely could’ve fucked you

BIRCHMORE: Probably if you really pushed it.

BIRCHMORE: I was kinda scared to say no in the beginning not

B. Other electronic messages confirm that Farwell sexually abused

sex with her.

C. Witnesses confirm that Farwell cultivated a close relationship with

she was 15 years old.

BIRCHMORE: I listened better back then tho

FARWELL: You still listen and give me whatever I want baby

BIRCHMORE: I didnt even make you wait a year after that

FARWELL: Of course I will I’ll just take it

BIRCHMORE: That’s what you think. Good luck with that

FARWELL: I absolutely would’ve fucked you in 12

II. Evidence that Farwell committed federal offenses or possibly committed

A. Farwell defrauded the Stoughton Police Department and Town of

working as a police officer.

encounters are listed here:

Date Approximate Start Time

April 10, 2020 11:46pm

May 1, 2020 11:10pm

May 20, 2020 7:14pm