Ex-cop strangled his pregnant lover with whom he had been in relationship since she was a minor, then set the scene to appear like it was a suicide only to cover his dark past

Massachusetts – In a harrowing case out of Massachusetts, former police officer M. Farwell, 38, faces serious charges following the alleged murder of his 23-year-old pregnant mistress, S. Birchmore. The case, which began with an illicit relationship when Birchmore was just 15, culminated in accusations of murder aimed at preventing her from exposing the relationship that started under questionable circumstances.

Farwell now stands accused of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. Acting U.S. Attorney J. Levy detailed how Birchmore was victimized over several years, starting from when she was a teenager. Levy stated that Farwell was desperate to prevent her from revealing their past, which involved statutory ra-e—a secret that could ruin his career and personal life.

The relationship between Farwell and Birchmore began when she joined a program for young people interested in law enforcement at age 12, with Farwell becoming her instructor two years later. By the time she was 15, their relationship had turned se-ual. Prosecutors argue that this was a result of grooming, with Farwell taking advantage of his position as a law enforcement officer and youth program instructor.

The sequence of events leading to Birchmore’s death began to unfold in late 2020 when she informed Farwell of her pregnancy. According to the indictment, this news triggered a violent reaction from Farwell, who had initially agreed to father the child in exchange for Birchmore’s continued silence about their illegal past. However, as Birchmore’s pregnancy progressed, so did Farwell’s violent tendencies, which included physical assaults and threats.

By January 2021, Farwell reportedly felt cornered after learning that Birchmore had shared details of their relationship with friends and that a tip about his behavior with her as a minor had reached his colleagues. His solution was chilling: he allegedly decided to kill Birchmore to permanently silence her.

On February 1, 2021, leveraging the chaos of an impending blizzard and his wife’s labor with their third child, Farwell executed his plan. He visited Birchmore’s apartment, strangled her, and staged the scene to appear like it was a suicide, complete with a doctored setup that suggested she had hanged herself.

The initial ruling by the state police was suicide, but doubts led to further investigation. A second medical examiner reviewed the case and concluded that the physical evidence suggested strangulation by another person. This finding, combined with a wealth of digital evidence including text messages and search history, pointed squarely at Farwell.

In April 2022, amidst growing evidence, Farwell resigned from the police department. His arrest followed, bringing some relief to a community shaken by the betrayal of a police officer sworn to protect and serve.

This case not only highlights the severe consequences of abuse of power but also the enduring scars left on the victims and their families. As the legal process unfolds, many hope for justice for Birchmore, whose life was tragically cut short in a story of manipulation, violence, and a desperate attempt to cover up egregious misdeeds.