Officers discovered 33-year-old Lauren Semanchik and 29-year-old Tyler Webb shot to death in Semanchik's home on Upper Kingtown Road on Saturday afternoon.
New Jersey State Trooper Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo Jorge Santos was later found dead of an apparent suicide in a vehicle in Johnson Park in Piscataway.
Authorities say Semanchik ended her relationship with Santos in September 2024, but she has since accused him of harassing and controlling behavior. Officials say that Semanchik had recently started dating Webb.
Semanchik was a veterinarian at Long Valley Animal Hospital.
"Not only was Lauren a phenomenal veterinarian, she was one of the kindest souls you could ever encounter and a friend to us all," a practice manager at the vet office said.
Webb was remembered in a social media post by the Pinewald Pioneer Fire Company, where he volunteered.
"Tyler served our department with dedication and honor. He held the positions of Chief Engineer, Past Lieutenant, and Past Trustee during his time with the company. His contributions to our company and community will never be forgotten," the department wrote in the post.
Santos once served on Governor Phil Murphy's security detail.
The trooper served in the New Jersey State Police's executive protection unit, which guards the governor. He was most recently assigned to the agency's dignitary protection unit, which guards high-ranking state officials.
"We are shocked and devastated by this horrific tragedy," a spokesperson for Murphy said in a statement. "Due to the law enforcement investigation currently underway, we will refrain from further comment at this time."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Detective Sergeant David Petelle or Detective Quayshaun Brooks at (908)788-1129. Information may also be provided through the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-321-0010. All anonymous reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
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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