Latest news with #TylerWebb
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
New Jersey murder-suicide victim's texts show suspect harassed her for months, family says
Text messages reveal a New Jersey woman feared for her safety for months before she and her boyfriend were allegedly murdered by her ex. New Jersey State Police Sgt. Ricardo Santos shot and killed Lauren Semanchik, his ex-girlfriend, and Tyler Webb, a volunteer firefighter, in Franklin Township before his death by suicide, according to investigators. The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office has since taken over the Franklin Township Police Department as it investigates prior interactions between Semanchik, 33, and Santos, and any attempts by her to file a restraining order. A police chief and sergeant were placed on leave. Allison Semanchik said she and her father discovered the bodies of her sister and Webb behind her sister's house the day after they were murdered. Semanchik said Santos harassed her sister for nearly a year after their breakup in 2024, according to text messages between the exes. "Throughout this whole experience, [Lauren] just very slowly became terrified to be alone, to be in her own home," she said. Her sister previously accused Santos of planting recording devices in her house. Semanchik's sister told Santos in one text exchange, "I FEEL THREATENED. I am a single small female who recently had water in her gas tank, a recording device in my room, and now this." In October 2024, a month after they broke up, Semanchik's sister texted Santos saying she was scared. "If you continue to either reach out to me or invade my privacy in any way, I will be getting a restraining order," she wrote. Semanchik said Santos "had ways of finding out information of things [Lauren] was doing or people she was talking to ... we still don't know how he did it." Semanchik and other family members said her sister tried to get Franklin Township police to help her. "And especially in mentioning he is a cop. That should be enough to, if anything ... go up and down the street a little more often. But instead they told her there's nobody here that can help you," Semanchik said. The police department came under fire after prosecutors said officers showed up the night of the murders after neighbors reported hearing screams and gunshots, then left. The department has not commented on the investigation.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Dash Cam Caught Her Trooper Ex Lurking — Now She, Her Boyfriend and the Ex Are All Dead in a Murder-Suicide
Authorities say New Jersey State Police lieutenant shot and killed his ex and her new boyfriend before turning the gun on himself A New Jersey state trooper shot and killed his ex-girlfriend and her current boyfriend before turning the gun on himself. The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office says Ricardo Santos, a New Jersey State Police lieutenant, fatally shot Lauren Semanchik and Tyler Webb in Franklin Township, N.J., on Aug. 1, before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot. Santos was found dead in Piscataway in a 2008 Mercedes SUV, prosecutors say. Investigators say they learned Santos had been in a relationship with Semanchik, which ended in September 2024, and that after it concluded he "engaged in continued harassing and controlling behavior." Semanchik, a veterinarian, and Webb had recently begun dating at the time of their deaths, according to the prosecutor's reviewed surveillance video taken from Semanchik's car, which showed her being followed on Aug. 1 by the same Mercedes SUV in which Santos was later found dead. Minutes after Semanchik parked her car at her home, a figure was seen on camera walking in a wooded area along the driveway, prosecutors say. Thirty minutes later, Webb's car arrived at the home an parked next to Semanchik's. On Aug. 2, police were called to Semanchik's home after a report of an unconscious woman. Officials later learned that the evening before, the sound of gunshots and screaming was reported by multiple 911 callers, but responding police could not locate the source. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
'Such a light': NJ double homicide victims remembered for bravery and kindness
FRANKLIN (Hunterdon) — They were a beloved veterinarian and a brave volunteer firefighter. To their family and friends, Dr. Lauren Semanchik and Tyler Webb, the victims of a double homicide that shocked this peaceful community, they were that and so much more. Semanchik was said to be a woman brimming with positivity who was both "precious" and "kind." Webb is recalled as a man who was a true friend − funny and ferociously devoted to those in his ever-widening circle. Both had smiles that lit up any room they entered − and both were known for their compassion natures. Webb was 29 and lived in Forked River. Semanchik was 33 and lived in Pittstown section of Franklin Township. The couple was found in her home on Aug. 3. The two had recently started dating. According to officials, the couple was killed by Semanchik's ex-boyfriend, New Jersey State Police trooper Ricardo Santos, who is from South River. Santos previously was a supervisor on Gov. Phil Murphy's protection detail and most recently was assigned to the state's dignitary protection unit. The Governor's office said it was "shocked" by the double homicide. "It is with the heaviest heart that I have to share the passing of my 'baby' brother, the man you could always call for a laugh and a helping hand," said Webb's sister, Angela Webb. "He was an incredible friend to so many, an amazing uncle, and will be missed terribly. I'm still in shock as I write this." Angela Webb said Semanchik was "so sweet, fun, and such a light." When Semanchik and Webb began dating, Angela Webb said "Tyler lit up when he talked about her and was with her." "I am so grateful for the happiness she gave my brother over the last few months and feel lucky to have these moments with them," Angela Webb said. "I will never understand this." On social media, others agreed that if you knew either Semanchik or Webb, you were "lucky." "Not only was Lauren a phenomenal veterinarian, she was one of the kindest souls you could ever encounter and a friend to us all," said Jennifer Cruz-Fuentes, practice manager at Long Valley Animal Hospital, in a post that shared the news of Semanchik's death on social media. The veterinary hospital where Semanchik worked is closed through Aug. 6, the post said. According to her biography on the animal hospital website, Semanchik's journey to becoming a veterinarian was motivated by her deep connection with animals from an early age. Growing up in Tewksbury, she found great companionship and solace in the presence of animals, ultimately leading her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. More: Double homicide investigated in Hunterdon County At the University of Wisconsin – Madison, she obtained a degree in microbiology in 2013. She then attended the University of Wisconsin for veterinary school, graduating in 2018. Semanchik's expertise lay in the fields of geriatric care, internal medicine and dentistry. She joined the animal hospital in May 2023 as a staff member after starting in 2020 as a relief veterinarian. Semanchik also dedicated herself to the organization Lap of Love, a mobile veterinary service focused on providing compassionate end-of-life care for pets. In her personal life, Semanchik shared her home with two beloved pets − Sneakers, a 21-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat who had been her faithful companion since she was 10 years old, and a disabled Chihuahua mix puppy named Stevie Nicks. Semanchik also found joy in experiencing live music, cultivating beautiful gardens through her passion for gardening, and expressing her creativity through interior design projects. The Pinewald Pioneer Fire Company announced the Webb's death Sunday with "a heavy heart and deepest regret." In his 11 years with the company, he held the positions of chief engineer, lieutenant, trustee and chairman of the Backroom Committee. "Tyler served our department with dedication and honor," the fire company said. "His contributions to our company and community will never be forgotten." According to the fire company, Webb began his journey at the station as a teenager, joining through the Boy Scouts of America Venture Crew program. On his 18th birthday, he became a full member and attended the fire academy. Besides fulfilling his duties at emergencies, Webb was a constant and dependable presence at community events and fundraisers, always ready to lend a hand and represent the department with pride. "Throughout his time with us, Tyler exemplified what it means to be a firefighter," the company said. "He served with honor and distinction. No matter the position or task, Tyler always stepped up and gave his all. Year after year, Tyler stood out as one of our top responders − consistently, answering the call with bravery, reliability and selflessness. Tyler was more than a firefighter, he was a Brother, a Son and a Friend to us all. His kindness, commitment, and spirit left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him." Pinewald Pioneer said Webb's legacy will live on in each member. "Our fire department family has suffered a tremendous loss," the company continued. "Tyler will be forever missed but never forgotten." A meal train has been established to help the Webb family. Friends of Webb recently met Semanchik for the first time. In a post on social media, Michael Hull reminisced that Webb did not stop talking about Semanchik to family and friends. Glad to have met Semanchik, Hull said she was "sweet, had a big heart and gave my best friend purpose." "You both were taken from this life way too soon," Hull said. Funeral services for Semanchik and Webb have not been announced at this time. email: cmakin@ Cheryl Makin is an award-winning feature, news and education reporter for part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@ or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on Double homicide victims remembered as dedicated and compassionate
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
State Trooper shoots ex and her new boyfriend dead before turning weapon on himself
A New Jersey State Police sergeant fatally shot his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend in a chilling act of domestic violence before killing himself with the same weapon. Sergeant First Class Ricardo Santos, once assigned to protect the state's governors, stalked 33-year-old veterinarian Dr. Lauren Semanchik and her boyfriend, 29-year-old firefighter Tyler Webb, at her home in Franklin Township on Friday evening. Semanchik's body was found on Saturday. She had been shot in the back as she tried to flee. Webb lay nearby, also fatally wounded. Santos' body was discovered hours later inside a white Mercedes SUV nearly 50 miles away in Piscataway, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A semiautomatic handgun was recovered from his vehicle. 'She was running away. She was shot in the back,' said Deanna Semanchik, Lauren's devastated sister. 'She gave so much of her life to other people and she deserved so much better.' The killing has gripped New Jersey not only for its brutality but for the damning revelations now emerging that Semanchik had tried for months to escape Santos' obsessive control - and that multiple institutions, including law enforcement, failed to act. Dr. Semanchik, 33, and Santos had only dated for three months in 2024 before she ended the relationship in September. But what followed, according to her family and police records, was a year-long campaign of stalking, sabotage, and harassment. 'He showed up at her work. That's where the car was keyed. He put recording devices in her home, water in her gas tank. He harassed her left and right,' her sister told CBS News. Lauren Semanchik had tried to block his calls but her ex used restricted numbers. She then tried to get restraining orders according to her mother, Jeannine Semanchik. 'A lot of agencies failed her. She tried to get restraining orders. Nobody called her back.' One of Santos' own colleagues was reportedly contacted by Semanchik for help. Yet the abuse continued. Santos' calculated final move was captured in haunting detail on security footage from a camera Semanchik had installed in her car - yet another precaution in the face of relentless stalking. On Friday, August 1, the footage shows her car leaving Long Valley Animal Hospital, where she worked, around 5:25pm. A white 2008 Mercedes SUV, later confirmed to be Santos', pulls out right behind her, tailing her for 30 miles to her home. At 6:11pm, a figure can be seen creeping through the woods along her driveway. At 6:45pm, Tyler Webb arriver at the home. Minutes later, neighbors heard screaming and gunshots, but when Franklin Township police responded to those 911 calls, they couldn't locate the source and left. The next day, Lauren's father made the gruesome discovery. His daughter and her boyfriend lay dead inside the home. Both had been shot. Santos was found later that day, alone in his SUV in Johnson Park, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A semiautomatic handgun was recovered in the vehicle. Lauren Semanchik was a beloved veterinarian at Long Valley Animal Hospital. In a GoFundMe page her colleagues described her as a kind-hearted, fiercely intelligent professional who poured herself into her work and treated animals and their grieving owners with grace and compassion. 'Not only was Lauren a phenomenal veterinarian, she was one of the kindest souls you could ever encounter and a friend to us all,' the hospital wrote in a public tribute. 'She was gentle, never judgmental, and gave hugs and hand-holding to families that needed support the most during their most difficult moments.' Her team described her death plainly and forcefully. 'This is not a case of Not One More Vet (NOMV) or suicide; this was a double homicide.' Dr. Semanchik's legacy is one of compassion and advocacy. She earned both her undergraduate and veterinary degrees from the University of Wisconsin and volunteered with Lap of Love, a group offering end-of-life care for pets. Her colleagues and friends described her as irreplaceable. 'Her attacker did not want to let her shine, but Lauren Semanchik is a light that will never dim,' wrote her clinic's practice manager. The GoFundMe launched by Long Valley Animal Hospital is raising funds for funeral expenses and to honor her memory through charitable donations. In their grief, her family has become adamant that Lauren's story not be reduced to another tragedy swept under the rug. 'She was deeply and unequivocally loved… She loved life, and she loved helping others. Her spirit, her love, and her light will forever shine bright in our hearts,' wrote her colleagues. Tyler Webb, 29, was a member of the Pinewald Pioneer Volunteer Fire Company. His fellow firefighters called his death a heartbreaking loss for their community. 'Tyler served our department with dedication and honor… His contributions to our company and community will never be forgotten,' the fire company said in a statement. The Semanchik family has expressed their rage and heartbreak, knowing that Santos evaded justice by taking his own life. 'He needs to have accountability. He took the cowardly way out,' said her sister. Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée Robeson confirmed the case was being investigated as an act of domestic violence and a targeted double homicide. 'This senseless and devastating loss has deeply affected our entire community,' she said. 'While justice in the legal sense may not proceed, our commitment to supporting survivors and preventing future tragedies remains unwavering.' Governor Murphy's office, where Santos once served in an elite security role, also issued a statement. 'We are shocked and devastated by this horrific tragedy.'
CBS News
6 days ago
- CBS News
New Jersey police sergeant suspected in Franklin murder-suicide, sources say
A New Jersey State Police sergeant fatally shot his ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend before killing himself, Hunterdon County prosecutors say. Prosecutors investigating the murder-suicide in Franklin Township said Sergeant Ricardo Santos murdered Lauren Semanchik and Tyler Webb at Semanchik's home in the Pittstown section. Authorities said Semanchik, 33, and Webb, 29, were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds on Saturday at the home on Upper Kingtown Road. Santos was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside his Mercedes nearly an hour away, investigators said. Franklin Township police had responded to reports of gunshots and screams in the area on Friday night, but left after being unable to determine where the noises came from. Semanchik's father discovered his daughter's body and Webb's the next day, the family told CBS News New York. The family said Santos was stalking Semanchik since their breakup almost a year ago. The couple dated for about three months, they said. "She tried to block him many times, and he continued to call her from restricted numbers. He showed up at her work ... He put recording devices in her home, water in her gas tank. He harassed her left and right," Deanna Semanchik, the victim's sister, said. "A lot of agencies failed her. She tried to get restraining orders. Nobody called her back." CBS News New York learned Santos was part of Gov. Phil Murphy's security detail a few years ago. A spokesperson for Murphy released the statement, "We are shocked and devastated by this horrific tragedy. Due to the law enforcement investigation currently underway, we will refrain from further comment at this time." Semanchik was a veterinarian and Webb was a member of the Pinewald Pioneer Volunteer Fire Company. "She had a big heart," Semanchik's sister said. "She loved animals and she was so good with them. She gave so much of her life to other people and she deserved so much better." The Semanchik family said they will continue to seek justice. "He needs to have accountability because he took the cowardly way out by taking his own life," Semanchik's sister said. The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office urged anyone with information about this case to contact them.
