Police request photos as investigation into death of dentist, wife continues

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Police in Columbus, Ohio, are continuing to ask the public to share video and photo evidence related to an investigation into the deaths of dentist and his wife.

Spencer and Monique Tepe, both in their late 30s, were found dead with multiple gunshot wounds at a Weinland Park home on Tuesday, Dec. 30, according to Sgt. Joe Albert with the Columbus Division of Police. Watch previous coverage in the video player above.

Spencer Tepe was a dentist in Athens, according to a public biography. He graduated from Ohio State. A person who worked with Spencer Tepe called 911 on Tuesday morning after he didn’t show up to work. The caller said he could not get in contact with him or his wife.

“He’s been reliable, and we cannot get in touch with him, his wife, his family, anybody that lives in that house,” the caller said. “He is always on time, and he would contact us if there’s any issues …  we’re very, very concerned. And this is very out of character, and we can’t get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing.”

Police said Tuesday there were two children under the age of six found in the home. They were both unharmed and safe.

Investigators do not know the circumstances surrounding the incident, but say they do not believe it was a murder-suicide. On Tuesday, Albert said police had not located a firearm, and there were no clear signs of forced entry.

“Our family is devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of Spencer and Monique,” their family said in a statement. “They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others.”

The family described Spencer Tepe as a “devoted and proud father, a loving partner, and a friend to everyone he met.” He was a Bengals and Buckeyes fan, a member of the American Dental Association, and worked with Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Monique Tepe was a “loving, patient, and joyful mother whose warmth defined her,” the family said. She had a background in childhood education and loved to bake.

“Together, Spencer and Monique shared a beautiful, strong, and deeply happy relationship,” the family said. “They loved to travel, to laugh, and to build a life rooted in love. They were proud parents of two beautiful children and their beloved Goldendoodle, and they created a home filled with warmth, happiness, and connection. We are heartbroken beyond words. While no outcome can ever undo this loss, our family is committed to seeing this tragedy fully and fairly brought to justice, and to honoring Spencer and Monique by protecting the future of the children they loved so deeply.”

Police are asking that anyone who may have evidence from midnight to 9 a.m. on Tuesday in the area of Summit Street, North Grant Avenue, East 7th Avenue and East 11th Avenue to submit at this link. Those submitting evidence may remain anonymous and no account is required.

Tragic Double Homicide in Columbus: The Unsolved Killing of Dentist Spencer Tepe and Wife Monique

In the quiet Weinland Park neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, a community’s sense of security was shattered on December 30, 2025, when respected dentist Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, were found shot to death in their home on the 1400 block of North Fourth Street. The couple, who had exchanged vows in that very house in January 2021 and were just one month shy of their fifth wedding anniversary, left behind two young children—ages 1 and 4—who were discovered unharmed but crying inside the residence. As of January 5, 2026, the Columbus Division of Police continues to investigate the case as a double homicide, with no suspect identified, no arrests made, and no publicly disclosed motive. Authorities have explicitly ruled out a murder-suicide, citing the absence of a recovered firearm and no obvious signs of forced entry.

The discovery began with routine concern turning to alarm. Spencer Tepe, a graduate of The Ohio State University with degrees in Spanish and biology, as well as a Doctor of Dental Surgery earned in 2017, was known for his punctuality at Athens Dental Depot, located about 75 miles southeast of Columbus in Athens, Ohio. When he failed to arrive for work that Tuesday morning—a rarity for the dedicated professional—his employer, Dr. Mark Valrose, placed the first of several 911 calls around 9:03 a.m., requesting a welfare check. “He’s never late for work and always checks in,” Valrose reportedly told dispatchers.

Subsequent calls came from worried coworkers and friends, including one at 9:57 a.m. from a colleague outside the home who heard children crying inside but received no answer at the door. Minutes later, another caller—a family friend who entered the property—reported seeing Spencer’s body near a bed. Police arrived shortly after 10 a.m., confirming the grim scene: Spencer had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while Monique had at least one to the chest. Paramedics pronounced them dead at the scene. The children were safely removed and are now in the care of relatives.

Columbus police have released a detailed timeline, seeking public assistance with any photos, videos, or information from the surrounding area between midnight and 9 a.m. on December 30. The focus is on the neighborhood bounded by Summit Street to the east, North Grant Avenue to the west, East 7th Avenue to the south, and East 11th Avenue to the north. A city crime camera is located nearby at the intersection of 4th Street and East Eighth Avenue, though no details on relevant footage have been shared publicly.

Neighbors, speaking to outlets like The Columbus Dispatch, described the Tepes as friendly but unassuming. One next-door resident, away at the time, noted they occasionally held packages for him. Another across the street saw Monique regularly but knew the family only in passing. The area, while urban, was considered relatively safe prior to the incident, leaving residents rattled and fearful of a random or targeted attack.

The Tepe family, through Monique’s brother and Spencer’s brother-in-law Rob Misleh, issued a poignant statement expressing devastation: “Our family is devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of Spencer and Monique. They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others.” Spencer was remembered as a “devoted and proud father, a loving partner, and a friend to everyone he met”—intelligent, warm, fluent in Spanish, a passionate fan of the Cincinnati Bengals and Ohio State Buckeyes, and involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Monique, with a background in childhood education, was hailed as a “loving, patient, and joyful mother whose warmth defined her,” an excellent baker who brought people together with kindness.

“Together, Spencer and Monique shared a beautiful, strong, and deeply happy relationship,” the statement continued. “They loved to travel, to laugh, and to build a life rooted in love.” The family vowed to seek justice and protect the children the couple “loved so deeply.” Athens Dental Depot mourned Spencer as a cherished colleague, closing temporarily in his honor.

As the investigation enters its second week, police have not issued community warnings of an ongoing threat but urge vigilance. Tips can be submitted anonymously to the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at (614) 645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-8477.

While verified reporting from major outlets—including ABC News, CNN, NBC News, CBS News, Fox News, People magazine, The Columbus Dispatch, and local affiliates like WSYX and WBNS—confirms the facts of the double homicide and ongoing probe, social media and unverified online claims have circulated sensational details. Some posts allege neighbors witnessed a “perpetrator” on CCTV around 9 a.m., possibly during an argument involving a brother-in-law, suggesting a dramatic shift in the investigation. However, no reputable news sources have corroborated these specifics, including any identified perpetrator, argument footage, or involvement of family members like Rob Misleh beyond his public statements of grief. Police timelines and requests for evidence focus on overnight hours into early morning, with welfare checks beginning around 9 a.m.—no mentions of contemporaneous sightings or disputes.

Such claims appear to stem from misinformation, speculation, or conflation with unrelated cases, common in high-profile tragedies amplified online. Hypothetically, if new evidence like neighbor testimony or CCTV emerged pointing to a specific individual or altercation, it could indeed alter the case trajectory—potentially identifying a suspect or motive tied to personal relationships. But without substantiation from law enforcement or credible journalism, these remain unsubstantiated rumors that risk compounding the family’s pain and misleading the public.

The killings of Spencer and Monique Tepe highlight the profound impact of gun violence, even in seemingly secure homes. In a neighborhood where residents once felt safe, the unsolved nature of the crime lingers as a stark reminder of vulnerability. As autopsies (expected to take 8-10 weeks) and forensics proceed, the community has rallied with memorials of flowers and sunflowers outside the home. City officials, including Council President Shannon Hardin, expressed shock, underscoring the rarity of such violence in the area.

This case joins a broader narrative of unsolved homicides challenging communities nationwide, where families await closure amid grief. The Tepes’ story—one of love, service, and sudden loss—resonates deeply, urging renewed focus on justice and support for survivors, especially the young orphans at the heart of it all.