Double Murder Victim’s Families To Sue NJ Police Over Perceived Inaction

ROSELAND, NJ — The families of veterinarian Lauren Semanchik and her firefighter boyfriend, Tyler Webb, who were murdered by her ex and an NJ state trooper, are suing the local and state police for their handling of the case before and after the shootings.

Attorneys David Mazie and Beth Baldinger of Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman in Roseland, who are representing Semachik's and Webb's families, outlined the events leading up to the double murder and suicide.

Authorities said Dr. Semanchik, 33, of Pittstown, and Webb, 29, of Forked River, were both killed by Semanchik's ex-boyfriend, Ricardo Jorge Santos on Aug. 1. Santos was a sergeant first class of the New Jersey State Police, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée Robeson said.

Santos was later discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his car, according to authorities.

The attorneys said that Semanchik told the Franklin Township Police Department in Hunterdon County of her concerns about Santos' aggressive behavior and sought a restraining order.

"Lauren was ignored by the Franklin Township Police Department. Lauren also reported her concerns to a female State Trooper who worked with Santos, but the State Police did nothing," said the attorneys. "Lauren made these complaints months before the murders and there was ample time for the local and state police to take action."

The attorneys say that the Franklin Township Police Department "turned a blind eye towards Santos' stalking and harassment" because on the night of the murders, three different neighbors called the police and complained of hearing screams and gunshots coming from Semanchik's house.

A Franklin Township Police car was sent out, drove by the house without ever even going in, and did nothing more, according to the attorneys.

The next morning, Semanchik's father, Richard, went to her home to find the bodies of his daughter and Webb, according to the attorneys.

On Aug. 7, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office(HCPO) took over the Franklin Township Police Department. Read More: Top Cops In NJ Town Rocked By Double Murder Removed Over 'Serious Concerns'

"HCPO has determined that supersession of FTPD is immediately necessary following its active investigation into the homicides in the Pittstown section of Franklin Township on or about August 1, 2025, which has raised serious concerns about FTPD’s operations and effectiveness," according to the HCPO.

Additionally, Franklin Township Police Chief Timothy Snyder and Sergeant Kevin Bollaro are being placed on administrative leave by the Township of Franklin.

"We will be filing a lawsuit against the Franklin Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police and others on behalf of Lauren and Tyler," said the attorneys.

Following the murders, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn of District 25 introduced a bill (A3236) that revises the definition of domestic violence to include psychological and economic abuse. If an incident causes fear, serious alarm or distress that has a substantial adverse impact on a person’s daily activities, it could be considered a domestic violence offense.

"This young woman feared for her safety and the system failed her in the worst way," Dunn said. "We will never know if changing the language in the law would have made a difference in Lauren and Tyler’s lives or prompted an appropriate response by law enforcement, but if it means we can prevent a similar tragedy, New Jersey’s Legislature is obligated to act and act swiftly."

Previous reporting:

• Double Murder, Suicide Involving State Trooper 'Was A Preventable Tragedy,' Says NJ Lawmaker
• It Was Love At First Concert Until NJ State Trooper's Jealous Slayings: Police
• Top Cops In NJ Town Rocked By Double Murder Removed Over 'Serious Concerns'
• Long Valley Veterinarian Mourned After Apparent Double-Murder, Suicide
• Community Mourns Lacey Man, Bayville Firefighter Slain In Apparent Double-Murder, Suicide

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