US EditionAfter Stalker N.J. Trooper Kills Ex-Girlfriend, Top Cops Suspended Due to ‘Serious Concerns’
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, AUG 7 – Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office took control of Franklin Police amid concerns over their handling of a murder-suicide involving a trooper who stalked and killed his ex and her partner.
- Ricardo Jorge Santos, a trooper with the New Jersey State Police, stalked and fatally shot his ex-girlfriend, veterinarian Lauren Semanchik, and her boyfriend, Tyler Webb, at their Franklin Township residence on August 1, 2025, before taking his own life.
- Their relationship ended in September 2024, after which Semanchik experienced persistent harassment for almost a year and repeatedly sought help from the police, who failed to take effective action.
- Video evidence shows Santos followed Semanchik home on the evening of the shootings, while Franklin police responded to 911 calls reporting gunshots and screaming but did not locate the source.
- Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée Robeson said superseding Franklin Township Police was immediately necessary due to serious concerns over the department’s investigation and effectiveness.
- The county prosecutor’s office assumed command of the police department on August 6, 2025, to restore public trust while continuing to investigate the double homicide and prior police interactions with Semanchik.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Prosecutor seizes control of Franklin Township Police Department amid double murder-suicide
Investigators say a state trooper stalked his ex-girlfriend, followed her to her Franklin Township home, murdered her and her boyfriend, and then killed himself last week.
County prosecutor takes over Franklin police after double murder
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office reported "serious concerns" with the Franklin Township police after a woman reported a New Jersey state trooper had stalked and harassed her for months. The trooper killed the woman, her new boyfriend and himself last weekend. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor)The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office took over the Franklin Township Police Department Thursday, after the family of a woman murdered by her ex-boyf…
Police chief suspended after a N.J. officer kills his ex, her boyfriend
The Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Prosecutor’s Office has assumed command of the Franklin Township police department due to “serious concerns” about their effectiveness following the killing of Lauren Semanchik, who was slain in her home last weekend with her boyfriend.
After stalker N.J. trooper kills ex-girlfriend, top cops suspended due to ‘serious concerns’
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office has assumed command of the Franklin Township police due to “serious concerns” about their effectiveness following the murder of Lauren Semanchik, who was slain in her home last weekend with her boyfriend.
'Serious concerns' following homicides force county to take over Franklin Twp. police; chief, sergeant placed on administrative leave
FRANKLIN TWP. - The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office has taken over the township's police department following the shooting deaths of Pittstown resident Lauren Semanchik and her boyfriend Tyler Webb of Forked River by her ex-boyfriend, State Police Trooper Ricardo Jorge…
NBC New York
NBC PhiladelphiaNJ police chief on leave, department replaced over handling of double murder-suicide investigation
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office superseded the Franklin Twp. Police Dept. amid concerns over the handling of a double murder-suicide.
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