Double Murder Victims Were ‘Failed By Every Single Law Enforcement Agency,' Grieving Mother Says

ROSELAND, NJ — The "blue wall of silence" is being blamed for the double murder of veterinarian Lauren Semanchik and her firefighter boyfriend, Tyler Webb, by her ex and an NJ state trooper, said attorneys representing the families at a press conference on Thursday.

"The blue wall of silence is where police officers protect their own. Even when there are allegations against one of them, they look the other way. And that’s what happened here," said Attorney David Mazie of Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman in Roseland.

Mazie and Beth Baldinger announced they will be filing a lawsuit against the Franklin Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, and others on behalf of Lauren and Tyler.

"She was failed by every single law enforcement agency that she went to for help," said Jennine Semanchik, mother of Lauren.

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.

An audio recording of a phone call made by Semanchik to Franklin Township Police(Hunterdon County) on May 20, two months before the murders, was also released.

"I was looking to file a police report or potentially even a restraining order against my ex-boyfriend, who has been harassing me. He placed recording devices in my home, has continued to text me and call me," said Semanchik in the recording. "He is also a state trooper, so I’m especially uncomfortable."

Attorneys said police never called Semanchik back.

"Lauren did everything right. She was concise, she was detailed, she was calm, and she made sure she gave all pertinent information about Ricardo Santos," said Semanchik's mother. "The fact that he was a state trooper."

Mazie added that Franklin Township Police had an obligation to notify NJ State Police about Semanchik's reports of stalking and harassment, and police should have removed his weapons.

"The Franklin Township Police Department had an absolute obligation to contact State Police and at that point, the State Police would be obligated to take control and to make sure all revolvers, any service weapons, any firearms that were licensed to Trooper Santos would be removed, and that he would be out on administrative leave," said Mazie.

Mazie said that instead, the police department "did absolutely nothing after having this complaint."

"That was dereliction of duty at the utmost level," said Semanchik's mother.

Additionally, the attorneys said 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.

"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.

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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