Inset left: Lauren Semanchik (Long Valley Animal Hospital/GoFundMe). Inset right: Tyler Webb (Pinewald Pioneer Fire Co./GoFundMe). Background: The residence where Semanchik and Webb were killed in New Jersey (Google Maps).
A veterinarian, a volunteer firefighter, and a state trooper are dead in New Jersey – the result of what authorities believe to be a double murder-suicide apparently tied to the jealousy of a former lover.
On Saturday, Dr. Lauren Semanchik, 33, and her boyfriend, Tyler Webb, 29, were found shot to death outside the woman’s home in Franklin Township – a suburb of the New York City metro area.
Meanwhile, just seven miles away in nearby Piscataway, New Jersey State Trooper Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo Santos was found dead in a white Mercedes SUV outside of a park – from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, prosecutors said in a press release.
Law enforcement are now admittedly closing the book of formal justice – but 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.”
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But, authorities insist, the case is clear.
Semanchik, who worked at the Long Valley Animal Hospital, and Webb, a mechanic with the Pinewald Pioneer Fire Company, only “recently began dating,” according to the prosecutor’s office.
Semanchik had broken up with Santos in September 2024. Being dumped, however, did not end things for the state trooper.
“Semanchik alleged that Santos engaged in continued harassing and controlling behavior,” the press release reads. “As a result, it appeared to detectives that Santos may have been involved in the homicides.”
That investigative hint was already in hand when Santos’ body was found next to a semiautomatic handgun. Middlesex County officials determined the death to be a suicide, the prosecutor’s office said.
Detectives quickly learned Semanchik had a video recording system set up in her own vehicle. Footage obtained from the vehicle provided telltale evidence that led to the conclusion 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.,” the press release explains. “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.”
Next, at 6:11 p.m., a figure is seen on the footage “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 pulled up to the residence in his own vehicle, according to law enforcement. He would, of course, never leave.
Neighbors heard the violence unfold.
“We clearly heard shots,” one neighbor told Manhattan-based ABC flagship station WABC. “We knew pretty quickly it was a pistol, which is unusual, and then, we heard screams.”
That was Friday night.
“We cannot deny that they were – that she was terrified, and sounded like she was running,” the same neighbor told the TV station.
The neighbor said they called 911 after hearing the commotion. Ten minutes later, the neighbor said they saw a patrol car pass by – but no one followed up until the next day.
At 12:22 p.m., Franklin Township Police officers responded to the scene of the crime and found Semanchik and Webb dead in front of the house on Upper Kingtown Road.
Semanchik’s obituary remembers 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 recalls 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.
The families of both Semanchik and Webb are being provided for by way of a GoFundMe started by their respective co-workers.
