Families of double murder-suicide victims in Franklin Township file lawsuit
ROSELAND, New Jersey (WABC) -- The families of a young woman and her boyfriend who were brutally murdered by a state trooper inside a home in Franklin Township, New Jersey, are now filing a lawsuit, saying the violence could have been prevented by police.
Attorneys for the Semanchik family say Franklin Township Police never returned Lauren Semanchik's call, which was a plea for help.
"Lauren did everything right. She was concise, she was detailed, she was calm," said her mother, Jennine Semanchik.
She says not only did her daughter tell police that her ex-boyfriend, New Jersey State Trooper Ricardo Santos, was stalking and harassing her, she also told another state trooper who worked with Santos, who was part of Governor Phil Murphy's security detail. Despite her pleas, the family says no one in law enforcement did anything.
"Franklin Township Police Department had the absolute obligation to contact the state police, and at that point, the state police would be obligated to take control and to make sure that all revolvers, all service weapons, any other firearms that were licensed to Trooper Santos would be removed, and then put on administrative leave," said the Semanchik family's attorney, David Mazie.
The family announced a notice of a lawsuit against the police department, and state police.
Lauren Semanchik and her boyfriend Tyler Webb were shot to death on Friday, August 1, outside her Upper Kingtown Road home after Santos had followed her home. Neighbors frantically called 911 at the sound of the gunshots.
According to reports, one police car drove down the road that Friday evening, but never went to the house, or even checked with those on the street who called.
Semanchik and Webb's bodies were discovered outside by her father more than 17 hours later.
"She was failed by every single law enforcement agency that she went to for help," Jennine Semanchik said.
As a result of the handling of this tragedy, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office assumed control of the Franklin Township Police Department as it investigates.
The family wants everyone that they believe could have prevented the murders to be held accountable.
"The 'Blue Wall of Silence' is where police officers protect their own, even when there are allegations against one of them, they look the other way," Mazie said.
Webb's family has also signed on to the lawsuit. It is expected to be filed within the next six months.
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