The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office has taken control of Franklin Township’s police department after its investigation into a shocking double murder-suicide reportedly perpetrated by a state trooper raised “serious concerns” about the department.
Ricardo J. Santos, a New Jersey State Police lieutenant, is said to have killed his 33-year-old ex-girlfriend, Lauren Semanchik, and a 29-year-old man she had been dating, Tyler Webb, last weekend. Santos, a member of the State Police’s Executive Protection Unit, later killed himself in a Middlesex County park.
Semanchik’s family told several news outlets that Santos stalked and harassed her for nearly a year, but said police failed to effectively investigate her concerns. The prosecutor’s office said Franklin Township officials have placed Police Chief Timothy Snyder and Sergeant Kevin Bollaro on administrative leave.
“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,” the press release read.
Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Captain Paul Approvato will lead the department as officer-in-charge, according to the office. The release said investigations into the killings and FTPD are ongoing.
Semanchik worked as a veterinarian, and Webb was a firefighter.
Deanna Semanchik, the victim’s sister, told PIX11 that after Semanchik and Santos’ six-month relationship, he placed recording devices in her home and stalked her. Deanna said her sister went to local police for help and a restraining order, but was told there were no officers who could help her; she said her sister was waiting for a call back.
Santos had previously protected Gov. Phil Murphy and former Gov. Chris Christie. He was most recently assigned to protect First Assistant Attorney General Lyndsay Ruotolo, the No. 2 person at the Department of Law and Public Safety.
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