In the same Columbus home where they were wed and raising their two young children, Spencer and Monique Tepe were found shot to death on the morning of December 30 – while their kids, just 1 and 4, were trapped inside with their bodies.
Now, police say a “person of interest” was caught on surveillance footage moving through the alley behind the couple’s home around the time they were killed.
Spencer Tepe, 37, was a dentist at Athens Dental Depot, where he’d earned a reputation for being reliable, professional, and deeply committed to his patients. The Big Brother mentor held degrees in Spanish and Biology from The Ohio State University, where he also completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2017.
His wife Monique, 39, was described by family as “warm” and inspiring, and the two were raising their children in the same Columbus home where they had once exchanged vows almost five years ago.
‘Very concerning’
On the morning of Dec. 30, colleagues quickly grew alarmed when the 37-year-old dentist, who had never missed a shift without notice, didn’t arrive at work.
The clinic’s owner, Dr. Mark Valrose, called police from his vacation in Florida just before 9 a.m., saying it was completely unlike Spencer to miss a shift or fail to call ahead.
“He is always on time, and he would contact us if there were any issues,” Valrose told the dispatchers, according to ABC 6. “I don’t know how else to say this, but we are very, very concerned. This is very out of character for him. We can’t get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing.”
‘Body inside’
At 9:22 a.m., officers arrived at the home on North 4th Street, but when no one answered the door, they left.
People reports that as concern spread, several coworkers drove to the home to make sure Spencer and his wife were okay. At 9:57 a.m., one friend called police again after standing outside the house and hearing children crying inside but getting no response at the door.
Moments later, the caller made a shocking discovery after peeking through the window: “There is a body inside,” the caller desperately told dispatchers, per ABC 6. “Our friend wasn’t answering his phone. We just did a wellness check. We just came here, and he appears dead.”
When police returned to the house and entered the residence, they found both Spencer and Monique deceased.
A radio log obtained through public records confirmed that Spencer had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while Monique had taken at least one bullet to the chest. Police believe they were killed between 2 a.m. and 5 am. Dec. 30.
Kids are ‘unaware’
The two young children were found physically unharmed, along with the family’s dog – all three who are staying with a relative, according to Rob Misleh, who is married to Spencer’s sister Maddie.
In an interview with NewsNation, Misleh said that the kids are “in loving hands,” but are “unaware.”
“We have had them for the past couple of days…they were just as happy and, unfortunately, unaware as they ever could be,” Misleh told the outlet. “But they’re in loving hands, and even more people are coming by their side to make sure that they’re taken care of.”
He shared that he doesn’t think the kids saw what happened to their mom and dad.
“As far as I know, I don’t think that they were. I don’t think that they saw what happened,” he said, adding, “or at least I want to believe that with my heart.”
Shaken by shootings
Loved ones are reeling from the heartbreak of what they describe as a “tragic and senseless” loss, remembering Spencer and Monique as “extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others.”
“Their presence was as big as their hearts! Monique’s charm and infectious smile lit up every room. She was warm with a strength that inspired everyone around her,” writes Spencer’s cousin, Audrey Mackie, in a GoFundMe campaign organized to financially support the children. “Spencer was the soul of every gathering – grand in personality, yet calm, steady, and kind. Together, they were truly remarkable inside and out. They were a solid pair with a bright future.”
“They were the proud parents of two beautiful children, and every day they showed up with unwavering love and devotion to their family.”
‘Unbelievable and shocking’
On Jan. 5, police released surveillance footage of a person of interest seen walking through an alley near the Tepe home around the time of the murders. While investigators believe the individual may have information, they haven’t confirmed if the person is a suspect.
“I do think, you know, (it’s a) suspicious-looking person there. It also very well could be… somebody walking home drunk from a bar,” Misleh told NewsNation after viewing the surveillance clip.
No arrests have been made, no weapon was found, and there were no signs of forced entry. Police have ruled out murder-suicide and continue to investigate the case as a double homicide, with no motive or suspect publicly identified as of Jan. 7.
“They were always smiling, they were always laughing. So, it’s really just unbelievable and shocking to all of us when we found out. Still, a week later, it doesn’t, still doesn’t feel real. I can’t believe I’m, like, here talking about this,” Misleh said.
Ret in peace Monique and Spencer Tepe. Please share your condolences to the loved ones in the comment section below and then share this story so others can do the same.
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