Friend of Woman Killed by Massachusetts Officer Accuses Police of Exploitation

Friend claims police officer exploited vulnerable woman before her death. Trial begins in case involving alleged abuse and murder.

Editorial Desk

October 13, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Canton, Massachusetts — A close friend of Sandra Birchmore, who was allegedly killed by a former Massachusetts police officer, has accused authorities of exploiting the victim’s vulnerable situation.

Lauren Andrews, who considered Birchmore like a second daughter, described their relationship as deeply personal. She revealed that Birchmore had shared with her that she was pregnant and showed no signs of self-harm during their final meeting. The 23-year-old was found dead in her Canton apartment in 2021, with authorities believing she was carrying the child of Matthew Farwell, a Stoughton police officer at the time.

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Farwell is now on trial for killing Birchmore and her unborn child. Prosecutors allege he met Birchmore when she was 13 through a youth program and groomed her over years, engaging in sexual activity when she was 15 and he was 27. Andrews said she reported her suspicions to local police but felt ignored. After public pressure, federal prosecutors charged Farwell with murder in 2024. Internal investigations revealed multiple inappropriate relationships between Birchmore and officers, including Farwell’s twin brother, who admitted to a two-year affair while she was an adult.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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