Tragedy Strikes Ohio Community as Dentist and Wife Found Murdered in Their Home
The Columbus, Ohio community is reeling from the shocking deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe, a beloved local dentist and his wife, who were found murdered in their Weinland Park home on December 30. Police discovered the couple, aged 37 and 39 respectively, with fatal gunshot wounds after a friend performed a wellness check around 10 a.m. that morning. Most heartbreakingly, the couple’s children were found safe inside the home. Investigators have ruled out murder-suicide, noting there were no signs of forced entry and no weapon was recovered at the scene, suggesting the killer may have been someone known to the victims. Detectives believe the murders occurred in the early morning hours, between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
In a potentially related incident that has raised questions about safety in the neighborhood, a woman living just down the street from the Tepes placed a disturbing 911 call eleven days before the murders. At 2:31 a.m. on December 19, she reported someone “banging and knocking” on her door, telling the dispatcher, “So now they’re smashing on my door. I think they’re trying to get in. They’re banging on my doors.” When asked if she knew who was outside or could provide a description, the frightened resident answered no to both questions. Police dispatch logs indicate that “the problem left” by 2:44 a.m., but the incident occurred just a three-minute walk from the Tepes’ residence, creating an unsettling parallel to the timing of the murders less than two weeks later.
Columbus police have intensified their investigation, recently releasing surveillance footage showing a “person of interest” walking in an alley near the Tepes’ residence during the early morning hours when the murders are believed to have occurred. The video shows a man walking slowly through the alley, wearing what appears to be a dark coat and light-colored pants. This release comes alongside the heartbreaking 911 call from Spencer’s friend who discovered the bodies: “There’s a body,” the caller told dispatchers. “Our friend wasn’t answering his phone. We just did a wellness check. We just came here and he appears dead. He’s laying next to his bed, off of his bed in this blood. I can’t get closer to see more than that.”
The murders have devastated both the local community and the couple’s families, who released a statement expressing they are “heartbroken beyond words” over these “tragic and senseless” deaths. The family’s tribute painted a picture of two extraordinary people whose lives centered around love and connection to others. Spencer, an Ohio State University graduate, was remembered as “a devoted and proud father, a loving partner, and a friend to everyone he met,” with family members highlighting his intelligence, warmth, and welcoming nature. Monique was described with equal affection as a “loving, patient and joyful mother whose warmth defined her,” emphasizing how deeply cherished she was by those who knew her.
Adding another layer of tragedy to this case, Spencer’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh, revealed that the couple was just weeks away from celebrating their five-year wedding anniversary. The Tepes had married in 2021 and were building what appeared to be a beautiful life together before it was so violently cut short. This detail has only intensified the community’s grief, as friends and family grapple with not only the shock of the murders but also the future celebrations and milestones the couple will never experience. As police continue their investigation, the community remains vigilant and concerned about whether the perpetrator might strike again.
The case has drawn significant attention throughout Ohio and beyond, with investigators urging anyone with information to come forward. The lack of forced entry has led to speculation that the couple may have known their killer, though police have not officially confirmed this theory. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on bringing justice to Spencer and Monique Tepe, whose deaths have left a profound void in their community. Meanwhile, support has poured in for the couple’s children, who now face growing up without their parents. The Columbus Division of Police continues to pursue all leads while the community mourns two individuals remembered for their compassion, dedication to family, and positive impact on those around them.
