A New Jersey police chief and sergeant had been positioned on go away and their division was taken over by a county prosecutor’s workplace amid considerations over their investigation of an obvious double murder-suicide wherein a state police sergeant killed his ex-girlfriend and her present boyfriend earlier than taking his personal life, officers stated.
In case you or somebody you understand is experiencing home violence, contact the Nationwide Home Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.
On Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Workplace (HCPO) introduced they’d outdated the Franklin Township Police Division and would supervise the each day operations of the division till additional discover.
Franklin Township Police Chief Timothy Snyder and Franklin Township Police Sergeant Kevin Bollaro had been each positioned on administrative go away by Franklin Township officers. HCPO interim Officer-in-Cost Captain Paul Approvato will handle Franklin Township Police within the meantime, officers stated.
An HCPO spokesperson stated there have been “serious concerns” in regards to the Franklin Township Police Division’s “operations and effectiveness” following their investigation of the murders of Dr. Lauren Semanchik, 33, of Pittstown, New Jersey, and Tyler Webb, 29, of Forked River, New Jersey.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, round 12:20 p.m., police responded to a report of an unconscious lady inside a house on Higher Kingtown Street within the Pittstown part of Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
When police arrived, they discovered the our bodies of Dr. Semanchik and Webb inside the house. They had been each affected by obvious gunshot wounds.
Investigators discovered that Hunterdon County Communications initially obtained 911 calls the day earlier than on Friday, Aug. 1, reporting the sounds of gunshots and screaming from the house. When Franklin Township Police responded Friday nevertheless, they couldn’t discover the supply of the gunshots or screaming, officers stated.
Investigators then discovered that Dr. Semanchik, a neighborhood veterinarian, and Webb had lately started relationship. Dr. Semanchik had beforehand dated Ricardo Jorge Santos, a New Jersey State Police sergeant, however ended their relationship in September 2024. Earlier than her loss of life, Dr. Semanchik accused Santos of harassing her and controlling conduct, investigators stated. Detectives then recognized Santos as a suspect within the double homicide.
Detectives later discovered Santos was discovered lifeless inside a white 2008 Mercedes SUV in Johnson Park in Piscataway, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Investigators decided he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and his loss of life was dominated a suicide. Investigators additionally stated they discovered a semiautomatic handgun contained in the automobile.
In case you or somebody you understand is in disaster, name or textual content 988 to succeed in the Suicide and Disaster Lifeline or chat dwell at 988lifeline.org. It’s also possible to go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/sources for added assist.
Police then reviewed surveillance video that Dr. Semanchik had put in inside her automobile. The footage exhibits Dr. Semanchik’s automobile leaving her office in Lengthy Valley, Morris County, New Jersey, on Aug. 1, round 5:25 p.m. The footage from the again of her automobile then exhibits a white 2008 Mercedes SUV leaving a parking zone and carefully following Dr. Semanchik from Lengthy Valley to Higher Kingtown Street in Pittstown till she enters her driveaway shortly earlier than 6 p.m. Then round 6:10 p.m. that night, an individual is noticed strolling by a wooded space alongside the driveway resulting in the house. Round 6:45 p.m. that night time, Webb’s automobile arrives on the dwelling and parks subsequent to Dr. Semanchik’s automobile, the footage exhibits.
Detectives decided the white 2008 Mercedes SUV then traveled to Piscataway, New Jersey, later that night time.
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Workplace continues to research the double murder however stated that nothing suggests any hazard to the general public.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of Dr. Lauren Semanchik and Tyler Webb, whose lives were tragically taken in an act of domestic violence. This senseless and devastating loss has deeply affected our entire community,” Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée Robeson stated. “Considering the suspect’s subsequent suicide, we recognize that many questions remain, and healing will take time. While justice in the legal sense may not proceed, our commitment to supporting survivors and preventing future tragedies remains unwavering.”
When you’ve got any info on the investigation, please name Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Workplace Detective Sergeant David Petelle or Detective Quayshaun Brooks at 908-788-1129. It’s also possible to contact the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-321-0010.
