The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office has taken control of Franklin Township's Police Department amid a double murder-suicide investigation involving a state trooper.

The prosecutor's office cited serious concerns with the department's operations and also placed the township's police chief and a sergeant on administrative leave.

New Jersey State Police Lieutenant Ricardo Santos is said to have killed his 33-year-old ex-girlfriend, Lauren Szymanski, and the man she had been dating, 29-year-old Tyler Webb, before taking his own life.

Santos, who was once assigned to protect top state officials, including Governor Murphy, had reportedly stalked and harassed Szymanski for months after their breakup.

Her family says she went to local police for help but got little response.

In separate statements this week, both the Attorney General's Office and a spokesperson for Governor Murphy said they're waiting for results of the investigation before commenting further, but called the situation devastating and a senseless tragedy.

The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office will oversee operations until further notice.

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