A New Jersey state trooper murdered his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend before killing himself.
Lauren Semanchik, a beloved 33-year-old veterinarian, nad 29-year-old volunteer firefighter Tyler Webb were found dead Saturday afternoon outside Semanchik’s Franklin Township home, WABC reported. Neighbors said they called 911 after hearing gunshots and bloodcurdling screams just after 7 p.m. on Friday, but police didn’t find the bodies until more than 12 hours later.
“We clearly heard shots. We knew pretty quickly it was a pistol, which is unusual, and then, we heard screams,” one neighbor said.
Officers arrived on scene but apparently didn’t do much looking, and they did not follow up with the neighbors who called.
Police returned to the scene just before 12:30 p.m. on Saturday when someone else found the bodies.
Miles away in Piscataway, New Jersey State Trooper Ricardo Jorge Santos was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a vehicle. He had been Semanchik’s boyfriend until they broke up nearly a year ago. Authorities say Semanchik had recently accused him of harassing and controlling behavior and had tried to file a restraining order.
Staff at Long Valley Veterinarian Hospital described Semanchik as “a phenominal veterinarian” and “one of the kindest souls you could ever encounter” Webb’s Pinewald Pioneer firefighter colleagues said that he served “with dedication and honor” and that “his contributions to our company and community will never be forgotten.”
Santos served in the state police’s executive protection unit guarding high ranking state officials.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Featured image: Lauren Semanchik and Tyler Webb/Facebook]
