A tragic incident unfolded in New Jersey when a state trooper, who was once responsible for protecting the governor, took the lives of his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend before ending his own life. The horrifying event occurred after months of stalking following the breakup between the trooper and his ex-girlfriend.
The Franklin Township police received a distressing call about an unconscious woman at a Pittstown residence around 12:20 p.m. on a Saturday. Upon arriving at the scene, authorities discovered the lifeless bodies of Lauren Semanchik, 33, and her new boyfriend, Tyler Webb, 29, both victims of gunshot wounds in what was described as a “targeted attack.”
Detectives swiftly identified the ex-boyfriend of Semanchik, New Jersey State Police Lt. Ricardo Santos, 45, as a potential suspect and initiated a search for him. Tragically, Santos was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his 2008 white Mercedes in Piscataway, approximately 50 miles away from the crime scene. A semiautomatic handgun, believed to be the murder weapon, was discovered beside Santos.
Further investigation revealed that the night before the incident, Franklin Township police responded to a 911 call reporting “audible gunshots and screaming” in the vicinity of Semanchik’s residence. However, they were unable to pinpoint the source of the noises. It was also discovered that Semanchik had installed cameras in her car after reporting Santos’ stalking behavior.
Footage from the cameras captured Santos closely following Semanchik from her workplace to her home. Tragically, Semanchik was shot in the back, indicating that she was attempting to flee when she was killed. Semanchik’s family recounted the series of events that transpired after she ended her relationship with Santos, which led to months of harassment and stalking by the trooper.
Despite Semanchik’s efforts to seek help and protection from law enforcement agencies, she was unable to escape the torment inflicted upon her by Santos. The victim’s family expressed their disappointment in the agencies that failed to intervene and protect Semanchik from her ex-boyfriend’s escalating behavior.
Santos, who had previously worked as a supervisor on Gov. Phil Murphy’s protection detail, shocked many with his heinous actions. Semanchik, a dedicated veterinarian at Long Valley Animal Hospital, was remembered for her compassion towards animals and her kindness towards others.
A GoFundMe page was set up by Semanchik’s co-workers to assist with funeral expenses and honor her memory through charitable donations. Webb, a member of the Pinewald Pioneer Volunteer Fire Company, was also mourned by his colleagues for his dedication and honorable service to the community.
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor confirmed that the case was being investigated as an act of domestic violence and a targeted double homicide, shedding light on the devastating consequences of unchecked domestic abuse and violence.
