Blog by K. Lo

When the System Fails – The Case of Lauren Semanchik

Centering Lauren’s Humanity

On August 1, 2025, a devastating murder-suicide took the lives of veterinarian Lauren Semanchik and her boyfriend, Tyler Webb. The suspect was her ex, Ricardo Santos—a New Jersey State Police trooper. In the days before her death, Lauren reached out to law enforcement, seeking guidance and protection. Her voicemail request—for help navigating a restraining order—went unanswered. Her voice, calm yet pained, illustrates all too clearly what happens when systems fail survivors at the most critical moments.

Lauren did what she was taught to do: she reached out for help. Yet, the systems meant to protect her remained silent.

Factual Context & Timeline

• May 19, 2025: Lauren reported vandalism to her vehicle in Washington Township. Police noted her concerns and contacted her ex, but no additional safety planning or restraining order guidance was offered.
• May 20, 2025: Lauren called Franklin Township Police, asking about filing a restraining order. She specifically mentioned her discomfort because her ex was a state trooper. She left a voicemail that was never returned.
• August 1, 2025: Lauren and her partner were killed in what authorities have identified as a murder-suicide carried out by her ex.
• Following the tragedy, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office took over Franklin Township Police, placing its chief and a sergeant on leave pending investigation.

Missteps in Handling Lauren’s Call

In New Jersey, survivors of domestic violence have the right to apply for a temporary restraining order (TRO) directly at their local police department or hospital, any time outside of business hours. Officers are legally obligated to contacting a judge to issue an emergency TRO after hours. New Jersey also has domestic violence response teams whose members are community members that are trained domestic violence advocates. Hunterdon County, along with most other counties in New Jersey have domestic violence programs that provide crisis response advocacy to survivors at any time of the day or night. Police departments, at the very least, should be providing the survivor with the hotline phone number to said domestic violence crisis program.

No survivor should ever be instructed to leave a voicemail. Ever. When Lauren left her May 20th message asking about a restraining order, she was met with silence instead of assistance. That inaction is not only a tragic failure of compassion—it is a violation of the very procedures designed to protect survivors of domestic violence.

Where the Systems Broke Down

1. Communication & Responsiveness
   Survivors’ calls for help must be answered—especially when there are clear warning signs of escalation. The unanswered voicemail represents a complete systems breakdown.
2. Conflicts of Interest
   When the alleged abuser is a law enforcement officer, heightened safeguards and proactive safety planning are essential. Those protocols appear to have been absent here.
3. Interagency Coordination
   Lauren’s calls to different police agencies were not connected. There should have been seamless information-sharing and survivor-centered responses across jurisdictions.
4. Survivor-Centered Policy Enforcement
   Trauma-informed training and survivor-led accountability mechanisms must not be optional—they must be enforced.

Honoring Lauren’s Courage

Lauren’s voicemail is haunting in its simplicity:

“I was looking to file a police report or potentially even a restraining order… So I am especially uncomfortable… if you could give me a call back when you have a moment.”

Her courage to seek protection, despite fear and intimidation, should not be remembered only as a plea ignored. It should serve as a call to action for systemic change. Lauren did everything correct. Lauren did everything that was expected of her and then some. Yet, Lauren’s life was still tragically taken. Lauren’s family must still live without their loved one.

Call to Action: Accountability & Reform

• Enforce Procedures: Ensure that all police departments are following restraining order protocols consistently.
• Independent Oversight: Create survivor-led task forces to audit responses and recommend reforms.
• Mandatory Training: Require domestic violence and trauma-informed response training for all law enforcement, with additional safeguards when an officer is the alleged abuser.
• Community Advocacy: Encourage survivors and allies to demand accountability from local agencies and to support legislation that strengthens protections.

Closing

Lauren’s story is a sobering reminder that policies on paper mean nothing if they are not acted upon in practice. Survivors cannot afford unanswered calls or delayed responses—because their safety depends on immediate action. We honor Lauren by insisting on accountability, by demanding reforms that put survivors first, and by refusing to accept silence where there should be protection. If change is not made, then Lauren’s tragedy risks being repeated—and that is a cost our communities cannot bear.

Personal Note from the Author

As someone who has served survivors of gender-based violence for over a decade, I write this not only as an advocate but also as a survivor. My professional journey has taken me from frontline advocacy to founding L.I.F.E. Recovery, Training, & Coaching, where I now facilitate trainings, provide coaching, and serve as an expert witness in cases involving domestic and sexual violence, trauma recovery, coercive control, and substance use.

I founded my business because I believe that gender-based violence will continue to be pervasive as long as we continue to create silos. The focus of my business is to disrupt those silos and bring the conversation of domestic violence to where they are not happening or are ignored. Systems must be held accountable, and survivors deserve culturally humble, trauma-informed support at every stage of their journey. My work is rooted in lived experience, academic study, and years of service alongside resilient individuals who continue to fight for safety, dignity, and justice. This case, and so many like it, reinforce why advocacy and reform cannot wait.

For more information, please visit life-recovery.net or reach out to [email protected].

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please contact the National Network to End Domestic Violence at: 1800-799-SAFE (7233)

For more information on what New Jersey is doing to combat domestic violence, please go to: NJCEDV.org