by Franklin Township, NJ – A tragic murder-suicide involving a New Jersey State Trooper, his ex-girlfriend, and her new boyfriend has left a quiet Franklin Township community reeling and raised serious questions about missed warning signs and delayed police response.
Victims Found Dead Outside Home
Authorities say 33-year-old Dr. Lauren Semanchik, a veterinarian at Long Valley Animal Hospital, and 29-year-old Tyler Webb, a volunteer firefighter, were found shot to death outside Semanchik’s home on Saturday afternoon. Neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots and screams around 7 p.m. the previous evening.
“We clearly heard shots. We knew pretty quickly it was a pistol… and then, we heard screams,” a neighbor told local reporters.
Despite making a 911 call shortly after the incident, neighbors said law enforcement did not arrive at the scene until more than 17 hours later, around 12:22 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office.
Suspected Gunman Identified as State Trooper
WRDW reported that investigators believe the suspected shooter was Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo Jorge Santos, a New Jersey State Trooper and Semanchik’s ex-boyfriend. He was found dead of an apparent suicide in his vehicle at Johnson Park in Piscataway, several miles away from the scene, later the same day.
Santos, who was assigned to the State Police’s executive protection and dignitary protection units, had previously guarded Governor Phil Murphy and other top state officials.
Authorities confirmed that Semanchik had ended her relationship with Santos in September 2024 and had reportedly sought a restraining order against him due to harassment and controlling behavior. It’s unclear whether that restraining order was granted or enforced.
Community Mourns Two Lives Cut Short
The murders have shaken both professional and volunteer communities across New Jersey.
Colleagues at Long Valley Animal Hospital described Semanchik as:
“A phenomenal veterinarian and one of the kindest souls you could ever encounter.”
Webb, a member of the Pinewald Pioneer Volunteer Fire Company, was remembered for his selfless service:
“Tyler served our department with dedication and honor… His contributions to our company and community will never be forgotten,” the fire company wrote in a Facebook tribute.
The couple had reportedly just started dating, adding another layer of heartbreak to an already tragic case.
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Questions Surround Police Response
Neighbors who heard the fatal shots Friday evening say they gave their names, addresses, and phone numbers to dispatchers but were never contacted by police after the incident.
“There was no follow-up. No knock on the door, no call. Nothing,” said one resident. “We were left in the dark.”
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office has not yet addressed the timeline of the police response, which may become a critical focus of the ongoing investigation.
Murder-Suicide Under Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate the timeline, the possible motive, and whether warning signs were missed in the months leading up to the murders.
Santos’ status as a high-ranking state trooper is likely to intensify scrutiny on the case, particularly regarding whether his position allowed him to evade accountability.
As the community mourns, calls for improved domestic violence protections and stricter monitoring of law enforcement personnel accused of abuse are growing louder.
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