Twin Brother of Cop Accused of Murdering Sandra Birchmore Takes Stand — and He Also Had Relationship with Her

Matthew Farwell, a former police officer from Stoughton, Massachusetts, faces serious allegations of killing 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child. The trial, which began on 9 October, has seen testimony from various witnesses, including Farwell’s twin brother, William, who took the stand this week to offer his account of the events surrounding Birchmore’s death.

During his testimony, William Farwell stated that he entered into a consensual relationship with Birchmore when she was an adult, specifically beginning in 2018 when she was 21 years old. Notably, he claimed not to recall any conversations with his brother regarding their mutual involvement with Birchmore during this time. This relationship developed amid a backdrop of complex personal dynamics, with both brothers sharing a history with Birchmore that has now become a focal point of the case.

Prosecutors allege that Matthew Farwell, now 40, committed the crime to prevent Birchmore from disclosing their secret relationship. They assert that Matthew fatally injured Birchmore at her apartment in Canton, Massachusetts, in February 2021, and then attempted to stage the scene to appear as a suicide. The timeline of events has raised numerous questions to which the court is seeking answers.

William Farwell, who also worked with the Stoughton Police Department and was married, did testify under an immunity agreement. He shared details about his relationship with Birchmore, noting that he had asked her about her ties to his brother back in May of 2019. According to court documents, Birchmore told him that her relationship with Matthew had begun when she was just 15.

“I didn’t necessarily believe her,” William recounted about his reaction to Birchmore’s revelation, further commenting that he thought his brother wasn’t “that dumb.” This admission has sparked significant interest in the courtroom, as it brings into question the reliability of the brothers’ relationship and their respective accounts of Birchmore’s life.

Significantly, only a month before her death, Birchmore informed William that she was pregnant with Matthew’s child. According to William, Birchmore seemed enthusiastic about the pregnancy and displayed no signs of suicidal tendencies at that point. He expressed concern about Birchmore’s wellbeing when he learned of her tragic death.

Initially ruled a suicide, Birchmore’s case took a dramatic turn in August 2024 when federal charges were brought against Matthew Farwell. Although he has pleaded not guilty, DNA testing later established that he was not the biological father of the unborn child, contradicting earlier assumptions. The true father was identified as Jason Pickard, a married Army recruiter and another significant figure in Birchmore’s life.

Pickard himself testified during the trial, recounting his on-and-off relationship with Birchmore that began in December 2019. He confirmed that Birchmore had indeed claimed that Matthew was the father of her unborn child while denying that Pickard could be the father. He attributed this statement to Birchmore’s belief that she wasn’t in her “fertile period” at the time they were together.

Interestingly, Pickard stated that he had encouraged Birchmore to report the alleged abuse concerning her past relationship with Matthew Farwell but admitted that he did not do so himself due to fear. This admission adds another layer of complexity to the web of relationships involved and highlights the difficulties victims may face in coming forward.

As the trial continues, the testimonies presented by witnesses paint a complicated picture of life before Birchmore’s untimely death. The intricacies of these relationships and the serious implications of the accusations against Matthew Farwell contribute to the ongoing public interest in the trial, which remains in the spotlight as more evidence is revealed. The legal proceedings will further explore the circumstances surrounding Birchmore’s death while grappling with sensitive issues regarding trust, betrayal, and the tragic consequences of complex human relationships.