A killer is still on the run a week after shooting a dentist and his wife with their kids nearby. This video could give clues

A person of interest walks on the night Spencer and Monique Tepe were killed near the home where they were shot, footage released by Columbus, Ohio, police shows.
Columbus Police

Whoever gunned down a young dentist and his wife is still on the loose a week after the grisly killings. But police hope newly released video of a “person of interest” and help from the public will help solve the crime shrouded in mystery.

Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, were found dead December 30 in their house in Columbus, Ohio. Their children, ages 4 and 1, were also inside and not physically harmed, police said.

Investigators did not find any obvious signs of forced entry or any firearm at the scene, CNN affiliate WSYX reported.

“Detectives believe the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Tepe occurred sometime between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m. on the morning of December 30th in the upstairs of their residence,” Columbus police said in a written statement. “Recovered video footage shows a person of interest walking in the alley near the (family’s) residence during that timeframe.”

Spencer and Monique Tepe married at their Columbus home on January 30, 2021.
Rob Misleh/YouTube

The footage shows a person wearing light-colored pants and a dark hoodie pulled over their head. The person keeps their head down as they trudge along a snow-lined alley in the dark.

The couple lived in Columbus’ fast-growing Weinland Park neighborhood, which had a troubled past but is now thriving, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

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Aside from the neighborhood surveillance footage released Monday evening, police have given scant details about the double-homicide investigation.

Columbus police have not answered CNN’s questions about whether detectives have zeroed in on a suspect or a possible motive; how the assailant got into the house; whether the couple was targeted; or whether there is any ongoing threat to the public.

“We want to thank the community for the tips we have received,” Columbus police said Monday evening. “We know there are questions and concerns surrounding this tragic incident. Detectives are working diligently to solve this case. We will continue to update you as the investigation progresses.”

Police search for suspect after dentist and wife found dead

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Colleagues in Spencer Tepe’s dental practice called 911 after he uncharacteristically didn’t show up to work December 30. One of Tepe’s friends soon went to the couple’s house and found a gruesome scene next to a bed, according to emergency dispatch audio.

“There’s … there’s a body,” the friend told 911. “Our friend wasn’t answering his phone. We just did a wellness check. We just came here. And he appears dead.”

Asked if Tepe had been ill, the friend responded, “No, no. I was just with him yesterday.”

The couple’s two children and dog are now in the care of relatives, the Tepes’ brother-in-law said.

Update on the Unsolved Double Homicide of Spencer and Monique Tepe: No New Breakthroughs as Investigation Continues

As of January 6, 2026, the double homicide of Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, in their Columbus, Ohio home remains unsolved, with Columbus police reporting no arrests, no named suspects, and no publicly disclosed motive. The couple was found shot to death on December 30, 2025, in their residence on the 1400 block of North Fourth Street in the Weinland Park neighborhood. Their two young children, aged 4 and 1, were discovered unharmed in the home, along with the family dog, and are now under the care of relatives.

The investigation has focused on the early morning hours of December 30, with authorities estimating the shootings occurred between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on the upper floor of the home. Three 9mm shell casings were recovered, but no firearm was found at the scene. There were no signs of forced entry, and nothing appeared to have been stolen, leading police to rule out murder-suicide early on. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office has confirmed the cause of death as gunshot wounds—Spencer suffering multiple shots, Monique at least one to the chest—but full autopsy and toxicology results are pending and may take 8-10 weeks.

On January 5, Columbus police released surveillance footage of a “person of interest”: a hooded figure, appearing male, wearing a dark jacket or hoodie and light-colored pants, walking slowly through a snowy alley near the Tepe home during the suspected time frame. The individual is seen with hands in pockets and head down. Authorities have appealed for tips identifying this person or any relevant doorbell or security camera footage from the area, noting they have received and are following up on community submissions. No additional details about forensics, such as DNA evidence, have been released publicly.

Neighbors in Weinland Park, a neighborhood undergoing revitalization near downtown Columbus, have expressed shock and fear. Several spoke to media outlets anonymously or on condition, describing the Tepes as friendly but private, often waving or chatting briefly. One neighbor across the street noted seeing Monique leave for errands routinely but heard nothing unusual that night. Others reported hearing no gunshots, despite occasional distant sounds in the urban area, and emphasized feeling safe prior to the incident. No residents interviewed reported witnessing suspicious activity, conversations, or visitors at the Tepe home in the hours leading up to the estimated time of death.

Claims circulating online or in social media discussions suggesting neighbors overheard a prolonged quiet conversation outside the couple’s door involving a nearby man have not been corroborated by any official police statements or credible news reports as of January 6. If such a witness account emerges and is verified, it could hypothetically suggest the perpetrator was someone known to the victims, allowing entry without force and potentially explaining the lack of disturbance to the children or dog. However, without confirmation, this remains speculative and unverified rumor.

The Tepes were remembered fondly by family, friends, and colleagues. Spencer, a dentist at Athens Dental Depot, was described as energetic, generous, and community-oriented, with degrees from Ohio State University and involvement in Big Brothers Big Sisters. Monique, with a background in childhood education, was praised as a warm, joyful mother and skilled baker who loved hosting gatherings. The couple, married in a small ceremony at their home in January 2021, were approaching their fifth anniversary and centered their lives around family, travel, and service.

Family statements, including one from Monique’s brother Rob Misleh, have expressed profound grief while urging patience with the investigation and gratitude for community support. A GoFundMe for the children’s future has raised significant funds, and memorials continue to grow outside the home.

Columbus police continue to seek information, particularly video from the bounded area around the residence between midnight December 29 and 9 a.m. December 30. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers or directly to the homicide unit. The department has emphasized confidence in their process, noting these investigations can take time to develop properly.

This case underscores the challenges of solving targeted homicides without immediate witnesses or clear motives. While the absence of forced entry and unharmed children point toward a possible personal connection, authorities have not indicated a broader community threat. As the new year begins, the Weinland Park neighborhood and broader Columbus community await answers in a tragedy that has left two young orphans and shattered a seemingly happy family.

The lack of rapid progress has fueled public speculation, but official sources stress relying on verified leads. Hypothetical scenarios, such as an extended interaction at the door, would align with theories of a known assailant but lack evidentiary support at this stage. Investigators appear to be methodically reviewing tips and footage, hoping for a breakthrough to bring justice to the Tepe family.