Investigators say the trooper stalked his ex-girlfriend, veterinarian Lauren Semanchik, followed her to her Franklin Township home, murdered Semanchik and her boyfriend, and then killed himself last week.
The family of Semanchik is preparing for her final farewell this weekend, but her sister feels the Franklin Township Police let them down and did very little to prevent this tragedy. They say a bright light has been taken away.
"My sister was the definition of compassion and empathy, and she just wanted everybody to feel loved," said Semanchik's sister Allison Semanchik.
The shooting was reported to police last Friday evening by neighbors that heard screaming and gun shots.
When police officers arrived at the scene, they did not find anything.
"He did not get out of his car, he did not go up to a single door of that residence," Allison Semanchik said.
A neighbor also told reporters that the patrolling officer never got out of the car and refused to go door to door to pinpoint where the gunfire and screams took place.
It was not until the next day that the bodies of Semanchik and her boyfriend, Tyler Webb, were discovered outside the house. Both the victims suffered gunshot wounds. Now, the family says the police department failed the victims.
"Why do you have this job? You are deliberately ignoring your duty and a cry for help," Allison Semanchik said.
The family told police about a possible suspect, but added the authorities hesitated because that suspect was New Jersey State Trooper Ricardo Jorge Santos. He had fled the scene and took his own life at a park in Middlesex County.
Santos and Semanchik dated until last September, but he apparently kept harassing the 33-year-old veterinarian.
"If she didn't respond to some extent, it just wouldn't stop. And ultimately when she did finally block his number, because he wouldn't stop calling her on Mother's Day, he keyed her car," Allison Semanchik said.
Video from her car shows Santos followed her home from work on Friday and he lingered in the woods near her house.
Webb came to the house, and tried to run before being gunned down.
Allison Semanchik feels this could have been prevented if Franklin Township officers took the case seriously.
"I don't care if it's one of your brothers in blue, why did you not take her more seriously?" she said.
Lauren Semanchikhad been encouraged to get a restraining order, but she did not. She didn't think it would protect her since Santos was a state trooper.
If you or someone you know is in need of help, call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" TO 88788.
If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the new three-digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.
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