> At a Glance
> – Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, were found shot to death in their Columbus home on Dec. 30.
> – Their two young children were inside the house but were not harmed.
> – Police have not identified a suspect or made any arrests.
> – Why it matters: The brutal double homicide has shaken the local community as investigators search for answers.
More than a week after Spencer and Monique Tepe were discovered dead in their Columbus residence, detectives continue to hunt for the killer while relatives struggle to understand why the couple was targeted.
The Discovery
Friends and co-workers grew alarmed when Spencer, a dentist at Athens Dental Depot, failed to arrive for work and Monique stopped answering calls. Colleagues told a 911 dispatcher that his absence was “out of character” and added, “we can’t get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing.”
A neighbor who could hear the couple’s children playing inside placed a second emergency call, saying he had no way to get into the locked house. Around 10 a.m. a final caller reported seeing a body and blood:
> “There’s blood. He’s laying next to his bed, off of his bed, and there’s blood. I can’t get closer to see more than that.”
Officers found both spouses fatally shot; the Franklin County coroner’s office later confirmed homicide by gunshot wounds and noted that three 9 mm shell casings were recovered inside the home.
Investigation So Far
Police quickly ruled out murder-suicide but have released few additional details. Surveillance footage recorded between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Dec. 30 shows a person of interest walking in an alley behind the house. The figure is wearing a hooded jacket and pants; investigators believe the homicides occurred during that same pre-dawn window.
| Evidence Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Caliber recovered | 9 mm |
| Shell casings | 3 found inside home |
| Time window | 2 a.m. – 5 a.m., Dec. 30 |
| Children present | Two, unharmed |
No motive has been disclosed and no arrests have been made.
Remembering the Tepes
Relatives describe the couple as inseparable. They married in their living room and were one month shy of their fifth wedding anniversary. Spencer, fluent in Spanish, was known for community outreach, while Monique’s passion for childhood education and baking made her a favorite among neighborhood families.
Audrey Mackie, Spencer’s cousin, said the deaths feel like a nightmare:
> “I have never experienced anything close to this type of tragedy. It’s heartbreaking. The whole entire family is just really torn up. They were fantastic people.”
The family statement echoed that sentiment:
> “Together, Spencer and Monique shared a beautiful, strong, and deeply happy relationship. They loved to travel, to laugh, and to build a life rooted in love.”
Key Takeaways
- A double homicide remains unsolved more than a week after the Dec. 30 killings.
- Two young children were inside the home but were physically unharmed.
- Surveillance video shows a hooded individual near the property during the estimated time of the murders.
- Police have not released a suspect name or possible motive.
As detectives urge anyone with information to come forward, friends and relatives cling to memories of the couple’s warmth and the joyful home they created for their children and Goldendoodle.
