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

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.

Courtesy of Rob Misleh

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.”

No Evidence Supports Claims of Family Dog Barking at Suspect in Spencer and Monique Tepe Murder Investigation

As of January 7, 2026, the ongoing investigation into the double homicide of Columbus dentist Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, has yielded no arrests, no named suspects, and no publicly confirmed motive. Recent online rumors alleging that the family’s Goldendoodle barked aggressively at one person during the probe—behavior described as “highly unusual” and noted by experts—appear to be unsubstantiated, with no mentions in credible news reports or official statements.

The couple was discovered shot to death upstairs in their Weinland Park home on North 4th Street on December 30, 2025, following welfare checks prompted by Spencer’s unusual absence from Athens Dental Depot. Their two children—a 4-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son—were found unharmed inside, along with the family Goldendoodle (named Larry in some family tributes). The dog, like the children, is now in the care of relatives.

Columbus Police believe the shootings occurred between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on December 30. No signs of forced entry were reported, no weapon was recovered, and authorities have ruled out murder-suicide. On January 5, police released surveillance footage of a “person of interest”—a hooded figure in light pants and a dark jacket walking slowly through a snowy alley behind the home during the suspected time of the crime. Brother-in-law Rob Misleh, the family’s spokesperson, described the figure as “suspicious-looking” but noted it could be someone innocuous, like a person walking home from a bar.

The family has repeatedly emphasized the couple’s loving life. “Spencer and Monique shared a beautiful, strong, and deeply happy relationship,” their statement read. “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.” Spencer was remembered as energetic, generous, and community-oriented; Monique as warm, patient, and an excellent baker.

A makeshift memorial of flowers, candles, and messages continues to grow outside the home, where the Tepes married in an intimate 2021 ceremony. A GoFundMe for the children has raised over $170,000. Misleh has spoken of the family’s devastation while focusing on the kids’ wellbeing, noting they are “in loving hands” and as unaware as possible.

Police urge tips via Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, particularly regarding the person of interest or additional footage. While online speculation—including prior unsubstantiated claims of missing items or group chat revelations—persists, authorities and family stress reliance on verified information.

The absence of any reported unusual dog behavior in coverage from outlets like CNN, The Columbus Dispatch, ABC6, and People suggests this latest detail may stem from misinformation. As the case remains active, the community awaits breakthroughs in a tragedy that has left profound grief.