Apparent Causes of Death Revealed for Dentist, Wife Found Slain at Home with Crying Children Inside

The couple’s young children were found unharmed inside the home with Spencer and Monique Tepe’s bodies

Spencer Tepe and Monique Tepe.Credit : 

Courtesy of Rob Misleh

NEED TO KNOW

Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique Tepe were found dead inside their Ohio home on Dec. 30
Authorities are investigating their deaths as homicides
Investigators have not yet named a suspect or person of interest in the case

Authorities in Ohio have disclosed the apparent causes of death for a slain Ohio couple whose bodies were found in their home last week, but the official coroner’s report remains pending.

Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique Tepe were found slain in their Columbus home on Dec. 30 by police responding to calls for welfare checks on the couple. The Office of Coroner Nathaniel R. Overmire at the Franklin County Forensic Science Center tells PEOPLE the apparent causes of deaths for the couple were gunshot wounds.

In an incident report reviewed by PEOPLE, the Columbus Division of Police said 37-year-old Spencer and 39-year-old Monique were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Their deaths are being investigated as homicides, per the report.

An official cause of death is yet to be released, pending other details required for the coroner’s determination, such as toxicology reports, the coroner’s office tells PEOPLE.

Spencer Tepe and Monique Tepe.

Courtesy of Rob Misleh

Police previously said Spencer suffered several gunshot wounds and Monique was shot in the chest once, according to a report previously cited by WSYX. The coroner’s office declined to confirm this information and directed PEOPLE to Columbus police.

Investigators at the Columbus Division of Police did not respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

The investigation began after Spencer’s concerned coworker told police he did not show up for work, which was uncharacteristic of him, WSYX previously reported.

“We can’t get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing,” Dr. Mark Valrose told police.

A friend of Spencer’s who had also arrived to check on the couple told 911 dispatchers that he could hear the couple’s children crying inside the house.

“I can hear kids inside, and I think I heard one yell,” the caller said, according to dispatch audio. “But we can’t get in.”

Spencer and Monique were known among loved ones for their warmth, kindness and dedication to building a life “rooted in love,” their family said in a statement following their killings.

“They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others,” read part of the statement shared with PEOPLE by Spencer’s brother-in-law Rob Misleh.

“We are heartbroken beyond words,” read the statement, adding that the family is “committed to seeing this tragedy fully and fairly brought to justice.”