Homicide investigators in Columbus, Ohio, are moving cautiously as they probe the brutal killings of a prominent local dentist and his wife, releasing limited information while appealing to the public for help.
Chilling Discovery and a Mysterious Figure
On December 30, 2025, police conducting a welfare check made a grim discovery at the downtown east side home of Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique, 39. Both had been fatally shot between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. that morning. Their two young children, a one-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl, were found unharmed inside the residence alongside the family dog.
Late Tuesday, Columbus Police took a significant step by releasing closed-circuit television footage of a person of interest captured walking in an alley near the Tepe home around the time of the murders. The individual, whose face is not visible, is seen wearing a dark hoodie and lighter-coloured pants, with hands in pockets.
"We have received and are continuing to receive numerous tips from the community, which our detectives are following up on," police stated on social media, urging anyone who recognizes the person to come forward. Authorities have been careful to note this individual is not considered a suspect at this time.
A Couple's Life Cut Short
The murders have shattered a family described as devoted and community-oriented. Spencer and Monique Tepe were reportedly a couple whose lives revolved around family, faith, and their community. They had exchanged vows in the very home where they were killed and were raising their young family there. Their deaths came just one month before what would have been their fifth wedding anniversary.
"We are heartbroken beyond words," the Tepe family said in a statement. "While no outcome can ever undo this loss, our family is committed to seeing this tragedy fully and fairly brought to justice, and to honouring Spencer and Monique by protecting the future of the children they loved so deeply."
A friend of Spencer Tepe, Dr. Mark Valcrow, expressed deep concern in a 911 call, telling a dispatcher the dentist had seemed fine the day before and that being out of touch was "very out of character for him."
Investigative Challenges and Unanswered Questions
The crime scene presented detectives with puzzling details. Police reported no weapons were found and there was no sign of forced entry, suggesting the victims may have known their assailant. The absence of an apparent robbery also points investigators toward a more personal motive.
Adding a layer of complexity, Fox News obtained a 911 call placed from the Tepe home on April 15 at 2:45 a.m. An unidentified woman, believed to be Monique Tepe, is heard telling an operator through tears, "Me and my man got into it." She clarified there had been no violence and police were no longer needed. The relevance of this prior incident to the murders remains unclear.
Columbus police have declined to answer key questions to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, including whether a suspect or motive has been identified, how the killer entered the home, if the couple was targeted, or if there is any threat to the public.
The investigation into the shocking deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe continues as detectives work to piece together the final hours of the couple's lives and identify who is responsible.
