A veterinarian, a volunteer firefighter, and a state trooper have died in New Jersey as a result of what authorities believe to be a double murder-suicide motivated by jealousy toward a former lover.
On Saturday, Dr. Lauren Semanchik, 33, and her boyfriend, Tyler Webb, 29, were discovered shot to death outside the woman’s home in Franklin Township, a New York City suburb.
Meanwhile, just seven miles away in nearby Piscataway, New Jersey State Trooper Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo Santos was discovered dead in a white Mercedes SUV outside a park, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to prosecutors in a press release.
Law enforcement is now admittedly closing the book on formal justice, but they have provided pages of information about the “targeted act.”
“Considering the suspect’s subsequent suicide, we recognize that many questions remain, and healing will take time,” Henderson County Prosecutor Renee Robeson said in a statement. “While justice in the legal sense may not proceed, our commitment to supporting survivors and preventing future tragedies remains unwavering.”
However, authorities insist that the case is clear.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Semanchik, who worked at the Long Valley Animal Hospital, and Webb, a mechanic at the Pinewald Pioneer Fire Company, “recently began dating.”
Semanchik broke up with Santos in September 2024. However, being dumped did not spell the end for the state trooper.
“Semanchik alleged that Santos engaged in continued harassing and controlling behavior,” the press release states. “As a result, it appeared to detectives that Santos may have been involved in the homicides.”
When Santos’ body was discovered next to a semiautomatic handgun, the investigation was already underway. Middlesex County officials determined that the death was suicide, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Detectives quickly discovered Semanchik had installed a video recording system in her own vehicle. Footage from the vehicle provided telltale evidence, leading to the conclusion that Santos was the gunman.
“In relevant part, the footage depicts Semanchik’s vehicle departing her place of employment in Long Valley, Morris County on August 1, 2025 at approximately 5:25 p.m.,” according to the statement. “The footage from the vehicle’s rear shows a white 2008 Mercedes SUV leaving a parking space and closely following Semanchik from Long Valley to Upper Kingtown Road until she turns into her driveway at approximately 5:57 p.m.”
Then, at 6:11 p.m., a figure is seen on video “surreptitiously walking through the wooded area along the driveway leading up to the residence,” according to the prosecutor’s office.
Then, at 6:45 p.m., Webb arrived at the residence in his own vehicle, according to police. He would never leave.
Neighbors heard the violence.
“We clearly heard shots,” one neighbor told Manhattan’s ABC flagship station, WABC. “We knew pretty quickly it was a pistol, which is unusual, and then, we heard screams.”
It was Friday night.
“We cannot deny that they were – that she was terrified and sounded like she was fleeing,” the same neighbor told the television station.
The neighbor stated that they called 911 after hearing the commotion. Ten minutes later, a neighbor reported seeing a patrol car pass by, but no one followed up until the next day.
At 12:22 p.m., Franklin Township Police officers arrived at the crime scene and discovered Semanchik and Webb dead in front of the Upper Kingtown Road house.
Semanchik’s obituary mentions her fondly:
Lauren was full of life and love. She was selfless and compassionate. Her deep passion and devotion for animals came at a very early age. At the age of 10, she found solace and refuge in her beloved cat Sneakers, who spent over 20 years by Lauren’s side. Sneakers was the first of many rescues that Lauren brought into her home and heart. Known as Lil’ L as a young child, Lauren was carefree and just happy to be.
Webb’s obituary describes his life with warmth:
Tyler’s life story can never actually be told because there are too many parts unfolding of the people he has met, he has helped, and impacted along his way. Whether it was from being a top responder for Pinewald Pioneer Fire Company, fighting forest fires, through his school years, being in Boy Scouts, Quarter Midget racing, rounds of golf, playing drums, being a past HAZMAT Team members, and one of the best mechanics owning his own business called Webbs Automotive, being a friend, or just being Tyler. Though Tyler enjoyed collecting unique memorabilia, music, ice cream, Taco Bell and Jack Daniels, he was the happiest with his dog Luna, on his Harley taking one of his endless road trips big or small, cruising in his C-10 truck, or playing in the woods seated in his side by side. Tyler found true happiness in just being with people.
Semanchik and Webb’s families are being supported by a GoFundMe campaign started by their coworkers.
