Friend of woman allegedly killed by Massachusetts police officer: "It was complete, 100% exploitation"

Matthew Farwell, a former Stoughton police officer, faces murder charges in the 2021 death of Sandra Birchmore, whom he allegedly groomed starting when she was 13.

Lauren Andrews, a close family friend of Sandra Birchmore, told CBS News she rejected the initial suicide ruling in Birchmore's February 2021 death. The medical examiner later changed the cause to undetermined. Andrews said Birchmore was excited about her pregnancy and future plans, including nursing school.

Matthew Farwell, a Stoughton, Massachusetts police officer, is on trial for Birchmore's murder and the death of her unborn child. Federal prosecutors allege Farwell met Birchmore through a youth police program when she was 13, groomed her for years, and began a sexual relationship when she was 15 and he was 27.

After Birchmore discovered her pregnancy in December 2020 and told Farwell he was the father, prosecutors allege he strangled her in February 2021 and staged it as suicide. DNA testing later showed Farwell was not the biological father, though prosecutors say he believed he could have been. Farwell has pleaded not guilty and faces life in prison if convicted. Two other Stoughton officers, including Farwell's twin brother William, also had inappropriate relationships with Birchmore and resigned in 2022.