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8h ago

Hunterdon County Prosecutors Assume Control of Franklin Township Police Department

Citing serious concerns about local police operations, the county prosecutor’s office named Capt. Paul Approvato interim officer-in-charge to oversee the homicide probe.

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Dr. Lauren Semanchik and Tyler Webb were found dead; the police lieutenant accused of their murder was later found deceased in his SUV.

Overview

  • The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office has placed Franklin Township Police Chief Timothy Snyder and Sgt. Kevin Bollaro on administrative leave amid concerns over the department’s effectiveness.
  • Capt. Paul Approvato has been installed as interim officer-in-charge while the county assumes day-to-day control of the police department.
  • Officials have opened a public tip line and begun reviewing forensic and surveillance evidence in the probe of Lt. Ricardo Santos’s alleged killings of veterinarian Dr. Lauren Semanchik and volunteer firefighter Tyler Webb.
  • Semanchik’s family reported that she endured stalking by Santos since their breakup and faced obstacles when seeking a restraining order in May.
  • Local residents have organized memorials and fundraisers for the victims’ families and advocacy groups are calling for improved domestic violence protections.