DNA testing identified Army recruiter Jason Pickard as the biological father of Sandra Birchmore’s unborn child, an FBI agent testified Monday, Oct. 19, in Matthew Farwell’s federal murder trial.

FBI Special Agent Heidi Kelsch told jurors that testing excluded Farwell and matched Pickard, whom Birchmore met in December 2019, MassLive reported. Prosecutors maintain that Farwell and Birchmore believed he was the father before her death.

Farwell, 40, has pleaded not guilty to charges of killing a witness or victim and causing the death of a child in utero.

Prosecutors allege the former Stoughton police detective strangled Birchmore, 23, in her Canton apartment on Feb. 1, 2021, and arranged the scene to resemble a suicide. They contend he wanted to prevent her from revealing sexual abuse that began when she was 15.

The defense argues Birchmore died by suicide after Farwell ended their relationship and denied paternity.

Kelsch testified over three court days, beginning Friday, Oct. 16, and concluding Tuesday, Oct. 20. Much of her testimony concerned communications recovered from Birchmore’s and Farwell’s phones.

Jurors heard that Birchmore notified Farwell of her pregnancy in December 2020 and discussed plans for the baby. They also reviewed messages showing his alarm after a friend contacted Stoughton police about their relationship, according to MassLive’s trial coverage.

Birchmore subsequently told friends that Farwell had become more receptive and wanted access to her apartment. Prosecutors have portrayed his conduct during that period as preparation for the killing, an interpretation the defense disputes.

Doctor describes pregnancy care

Dr. Priyanka Venkataraman, Birchmore’s OB-GYN, testified Tuesday that her patient remained engaged with her medical care during the final weeks of her life.

A Jan. 25 ultrasound showed a heartbeat and a pregnancy measuring seven weeks and four days, the Patriot Ledger reported. Venkataraman described the pregnancy as viable.

The doctor said Birchmore did not express suicidal thoughts during the care she described and that news of her death surprised her.

Defense attorney Kimberly C. Stevens questioned Venkataraman about Birchmore’s mental health history and Zoloft prescription. The doctor acknowledged that the medication can worsen depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.

Dispatcher recalls Farwell’s reaction

Former Stoughton police dispatcher James Fitton also testified Tuesday about a woman’s call seeking Farwell and referring to his relationship with her friend.

Fitton said Farwell became angry when told about the call and instructed him not to discuss it again. Fitton also testified that another officer, Robert Letendre, told him to forget the call, according to Boston.com.

On cross-examination, Fitton said he did not recall the caller reporting a crime or describing sexual contact between an adult and a minor. He said he treated it as a personal call.

The reported testimony differs on timing: Fitton placed the call he answered on Jan. 20, 2021, while Kelsch’s account placed a call from Birchmore’s friend Julia Perlin on Jan. 23.

Tuesday’s final witness, childhood friend Mackenzie Palma, described making pregnancy-related artwork and a custom baby onesie for Birchmore.

The trial is expected to last about five weeks. Farwell faces life imprisonment if convicted. Federal prosecutors announced in December 2025 that they would not seek the death penalty, Boston 25 reported.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, call 988 or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.