Police have released new video of a person of interest in the mysterious murders of an Ohio dentist and his wife.

Spencer and Monique Tepe were found shot to death in their Columbus home on Dec. 30, Columbus police said. Two small children were found safe inside, police said.

Authorities said they believe the couple was killed between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on their home’s second floor.

Detectives on Monday shared what they called “recovered video footage” of a person walking in an alley near the victims’ house during that 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. timeframe. The grainy video shows the person of interest in jeans and a black hooded jacket, apparently with their hands in their pockets.

“We know there are questions and concerns,” police said. The department said tips are coming in, and they are “working diligently to solve this case.”

Meanwhile, the relatives of Spencer and Monique Tepe are mourning and waiting for answers.

“Makes no sense as to how somebody could do this,” Monique Tepe’s brother, Rob Misleh, told ABC News’ “Good Morning America.” “What kind of person can take two parents away from such young children, and just two beautiful people away from this earth?”

The police ask that anyone who could help identify the person of interest call 614-645-2228. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.

Unfounded Rumors Circulate in Spencer and Monique Tepe Murder Case: No Confirmed Reports of Missing Bedside Item

As the investigation into the shocking double homicide of Columbus dentist Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, enters its second week, online speculation continues to swirl—with one persistent rumor claiming a “personal item usually kept by the bedside” is missing from the couple’s Weinland Park home. However, extensive reviews of major news reports, police statements, and family interviews as of January 7, 2026, reveal no verified mention of any specific missing bedside item.

The couple was found shot to death upstairs in their North 4th Street home on December 30, 2025, after coworkers raised alarms over Spencer’s absence from Athens Dental Depot. Their young children—aged 4 and 1—along with the family Goldendoodle, were unharmed inside the residence. Police quickly ruled out murder-suicide, noting no firearm recovered and no signs of forced entry.

Family spokesperson and brother-in-law Rob Misleh has stated publicly that “nothing was stolen and nothing was out of place,” aligning with reports indicating no apparent robbery motive. This has fueled theories of a targeted, personal attack—possibly by someone known to the couple—rather than a random burglary.

Columbus Police released surveillance footage on January 5 showing a “person of interest”: a hooded figure in light pants and a dark jacket walking slowly through a snowy alley behind the home between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.—the estimated time of the killings. Hundreds of tips have poured in, but no arrests or suspects have been named.

The absence of theft has shifted focus to potential personal motives. Online forums and social media buzz with unverified theories, including speculation about past relationships or professional disputes. Some Reddit threads mention Monique’s prior marriage, but no evidence links it to the crime. Claims of a missing bedside item—potentially implying something intimate or sentimental was taken—appear to stem from misinterpretations of early 911 calls describing Spencer’s body “next to his bed” or general discussions about the undisturbed scene.

Experts note that in non-robbery homicides with no forced entry, killers are often acquainted with victims. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem highlighted that investigators are likely examining the couple’s backgrounds, forensics, and access points. The Franklin County Coroner’s office confirmed gunshot wounds as the cause but awaits full autopsy details.

The Tepes were remembered as pillars of warmth and community. Spencer, an Ohio State graduate fluent in Spanish and involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters, was energetic and generous. Monique, with a childhood education background, was a devoted mother and skilled baker. They married in their home in 2021 and were weeks from their fifth anniversary.

A memorial of flowers, candles, and notes grows outside their home, where frantic welfare checks led to the grim discovery. A GoFundMe for the children has surpassed $170,000, underscoring community support.

Misleh has urged focus on verified facts, expressing frustration over speculation while prioritizing the children’s wellbeing. Police continue to seek tips via Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, emphasizing the person of interest footage.

In a case marked by heartbreaking normalcy—a loving family asleep in their home—the lack of clear motive keeps Columbus on edge. While rumors like the alleged missing item persist online, they remain unsubstantiated. The family seeks justice, hoping leads will bring closure to a tragedy that has shattered lives.