Tragic Killing in New Jersey Involves State Trooper
A state trooper from New Jersey, responsible for the governor’s safety, has been implicated in the shooting deaths of his ex-girlfriend and her new partner.
On Saturday, around 12:20 PM, authorities in Franklin Township responded to a report of an unconscious woman at a residence in Pittstown. The details were disclosed by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor on Monday.
Upon their arrival, officers discovered 33-year-old Lauren Seminczyk and her boyfriend, 29-year-old Tyler Webb, both victims of fatal gunshot wounds. Prosecutors described the situation as a series of “targeted attacks.”
Investigators quickly named Seminczyk’s former boyfriend, Lt. Col. Ricardo Santos, a 45-year-old New Jersey trooper, as the primary suspect and initiated a search for him.
Not long after, he was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside his 2008 White Mercedes in Piscataway, approximately 50 miles from the crime scene. A semi-automatic handgun, believed to be the murder weapon, was discovered next to him.
Additional inquiries revealed that Franklin Township police had earlier responded to a 911 call the night before at Seminczyk’s home.
It was also reported that Seminczyk had installed surveillance cameras in her car due to Santos’s claims of stalking. Footage showed her vehicle leaving the veterinary office in Long Valley at 5:25 PM on Friday.
The video captured Santos’s Mercedes closely following Seminczyk from her workplace to her home. She arrived at her residence around 10 minutes later, just before 6 PM, and moments later, someone was seen emerging from the nearby woods.
Approximately half an hour afterward, Webb’s vehicle pulled up next to Seminczyk’s.
Seminczyk’s father discovered the two bodies later that Saturday, noting that his daughter seemed to be attempting to escape when she was shot. Her sister, Deanna, shared, “She was shot in the back. She gave so much to others and deserved a better fate.”
The family described a troubling pattern of events that began in September 2024 after Seminczyk ended her brief relationship with Santos. Although they dated for just three months, he began to excessively pursue her, escalating to what they referred to as “harassment.”
Deanna Seminczyk stated, “She tried to block him countless times, but he’d call from restricted numbers and even showed up at her job.”
Additionally, it was reported that Santos had invasive tactics like installing recording devices in Seminczyk’s property and tampering with her gas tank.
Jan Ning Seminczyk, Lauren’s mother, expressed her frustration over law enforcement’s inaction regarding her daughter’s situation, mentioning attempts to secure restraining orders that were overlooked.
Santos had previously held a position supervising the security detail for Governor Phil Murphy, and a spokesperson for the governor’s office expressed shock over these events, emphasizing their deep sorrow.
Lauren Seminczyk was a cherished veterinarian at Long Valley Animal Hospital and was known for her deep commitment to animal welfare. A colleague initiated a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses and commemorate her memory.
People in the community remembered her as not just an exceptional veterinarian, but also as a remarkably kind and supportive individual.
Tyler Webb, a member of the Pinewald Pioneer Volunteer Fire Company, was honored for his service and dedication. The company remarked on the significant contributions he made during his tenure.
The situation is being investigated as an instance of domestic violence and a targeted double homicide, according to Hunterdon County Prosecutor Rene Robeson.
