The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office has superseded the Franklin Township Police Department and will now oversee its daily operations following a double murder-suicide in the Pittstown section of the township.

Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson announced the move is effective immediately, citing serious concerns about the department’s effectiveness raised during the ongoing investigation.

State Trooper Ricardo Santos killed 33-year-old Lauren Semanchik and 29-year-old volunteer firefighter Tyler Webb before killing himself. Prosecutors had said Semanchik reported Santos was harassing her after they broke up in September.

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Capt. Paul Approvato of the Prosecutor’s Office will serve as interim officer-in-charge.

Franklin Police Chief Timothy Snyder and Sgt. Kevin Bollaro have been placed on administrative leave by the township’s governing body.

The investigations into both the homicides and the department remain active.