Police release video showing person of interest in killing of Ohio dentist and his wife

Investigators believe Spencer Tepe, a dentist in Athens, and his wife, Monique Tepe, were killed in their home during the 3-hour window when the video was recorded

Authorities investigating the apparent shooting deaths of a dentist and his wife in Ohio released security video Monday of a person of interest in the case.

Columbus police said the video was recorded between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Dec. 30 in an alley next to the Columbus home of Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39.

In a statement, the police department said investigators believe the couple were killed on the top floor of their home during that three-hour window.

The brief video shows a person walking in the alley wearing light-colored pants and a hooded dark jacket.

The department asked the public for information about the identity of the person and said detectives are following up on numerous tips.

Authorities discovered the Tepes’ bodies after several 911 calls from colleagues and loved ones on the morning of Dec. 30. Among the callers was a friend who reported having found Spencer Tepe’s body next to his bed.

The couple appeared to have been shot, according to an incident report.

The Franklin County coroner’s office told NBC Chicago on Monday that the pair died in an apparent homicide by gunshot wounds, adding that the case is not finalized and that additional reports are pending.

Three 9 mm shell casings were found in the family’s home, a preliminary investigative report shows. The couple’s two young children were in the house unharmed.

Authorities have not identified a possible motive. The police department previously said it does not believe the killings were a murder-suicide.

Spencer Tepe worked at a dental practice in Athens, Ohio, where he focused on comprehensive dentistry and implant therapy, according to a company biography.

The Tepe family has described the pair as “extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others.”

“Our family is devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of Spencer and Monique,” the family said in a statement.

Unsolved Double Homicide: The Mysterious Deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe in Columbus, Ohio

On December 30, 2025, the quiet Weinland Park neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, was shattered by a tragic discovery. Dr. Spencer Tepe, a 37-year-old dentist, and his wife, Monique Tepe, 39, were found shot to death in their home on the 1400 block of North Fourth Street. The couple’s two young children—a 4-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy—were found unharmed inside the residence, along with the family dog, a Goldendoodle. As of early January 2026, nearly a week after the bodies were discovered, the case remains unsolved, with no suspects identified and no clear motive established. Columbus police are treating the incident as a double homicide, explicitly ruling out murder-suicide.

The discovery began with concern from Spencer’s workplace. Spencer, who worked at Athens Dental Depot about 75 miles southeast of Columbus, was uncharacteristically absent from his shift that morning. Colleagues described him as reliable, someone who “never missed work” and always communicated if plans changed. Starting around 9 a.m., multiple 911 calls were placed by co-workers and friends expressing worry that neither Spencer nor Monique was answering their phones. One caller, the owner of the dental practice, emphasized Spencer’s dependability. By 10 a.m., a friend arrived at the home and reported seeing Spencer’s body through a window. Police responded shortly after, entering the residence and pronouncing the couple dead at the scene from apparent gunshot wounds.

Preliminary reports indicate Spencer suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while Monique was shot at least once in the chest. Three 9mm shell casings were recovered from the home, but no firearm was found. There were no obvious signs of forced entry, adding to the mystery surrounding how the perpetrator gained access. The killings are believed to have occurred on the upper floor of the home between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on December 30.

Spencer and Monique Tepe were described by family and friends as a loving, joyful couple deeply devoted to their children and community. They had married in January 2021 in an intimate ceremony at their Columbus home, just one month shy of their fifth anniversary at the time of their deaths. Video from the wedding shows them exchanging heartfelt vows, laughing and embracing amid cheers from loved ones. Spencer, a graduate of The Ohio State University with degrees in biology, Spanish, and dental surgery, was fluent in Spanish and committed to community service, including volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters. He was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Bengals and Ohio State Buckeyes, known for his energetic personality, generosity, and warmth.

Monique, with a background in childhood education, was remembered as a patient, joyful mother and excellent baker who brought people together. The couple loved traveling, hosting gatherings, and building a life centered on family. In a statement released through Monique’s brother, Rob Misleh, the family expressed profound devastation: “They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others… Together, Spencer and Monique shared a beautiful, strong, and deeply happy relationship.” The children are now in the care of relatives, and a GoFundMe has been established to support their future.

The investigation has progressed slowly, with police releasing limited details to the public. On January 5, 2026, authorities shared surveillance footage of a “person of interest”—a hooded figure in light-colored pants and a dark jacket—walking slowly through a snowy alley near the Tepe home during the suspected time of the murders. The video, captured between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., shows the individual moving in the vicinity of the residence. Police have urged anyone recognizing the person or with relevant surveillance footage from the area to come forward, noting they are receiving and following up on community tips.

No arrests have been made, and investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive. The absence of forced entry raises questions about whether the couple knew their killer or if the perpetrator had another means of access. Reports confirm no items appear to have been stolen, and there is no indication of a broader threat to the community. Neighbors in Weinland Park, a revitalizing urban area near downtown Columbus, expressed shock, describing the couple as friendly but private. Some noted feeling rattled, though the neighborhood had previously felt safe.

The Franklin County Coroner’s Office has confirmed the deaths as homicides by gunshot wounds, though full autopsy and toxicology reports are pending and could take 8-10 weeks. Columbus police continue to appeal for information, asking residents with doorbell cameras or other recordings from the early morning hours of December 30 to contact the homicide unit or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers anonymously.

This case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the randomness and senselessness of the violence. The Tepe family has vowed to seek justice while focusing on honoring Spencer and Monique’s memory through support for their children. As the community mourns and police pursue leads, the question lingers: Who would target this seemingly idyllic family in their own home?

The lack of a recovered weapon, combined with the unharmed children left at the scene, has fueled speculation about a targeted attack rather than a random home invasion. However, without forensic details released—such as potential DNA evidence or other traces—any theories remain hypothetical. Rumors circulating on social media and in local discussions about specific clues, like traces on entry points, have not been corroborated by official sources.

As the investigation continues into 2026, the hope is that public tips and ongoing detective work will bring closure to a grieving family and a baffled community. The Tepes’ story serves as a poignant reminder of lives cut short, leaving behind young orphans and unanswered questions in a case that, for now, defies easy explanation.