Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife, Monique Tepe, 39, were found deceased from gunshot wounds in their Columbus, Ohio, home on Tuesday, December 30. Their two young children, aged 1 and 4, were discovered unharmed inside the residence. Authorities have classified the deaths as a double homicide and are actively investigating, with no suspects or motive publicly identified as of the latest reports.
Discovery and Initial Response
Concerns for the couple arose on Tuesday morning when Spencer Tepe, a dentist at Athens Dental Depot, did not report to work, an absence described as uncharacteristic. Dr. Mark Valrose, the owner of Athens Dental Depot, placed a 911 call for a welfare check at approximately 8:58 a.m. An officer responded to the residence, located in the 1400 block of N. 4th Street in the Weinland Park neighborhood, at 9:22 a.m. but received no answer at the door.
Approximately 30 minutes later, Tepe's colleagues and a friend arrived at the home. At 9:56 a.m., a man present at the scene called 911, reporting sounds of children crying inside but being unable to gain entry. Another colleague subsequently called 911, noting an approximate three-hour period of unresponsiveness from Tepe. At 10:03 a.m., a friend of Spencer Tepe contacted 911 to report finding a body. Columbus police officers then entered the residence and located Spencer and Monique Tepe deceased. The couple's children were found safe and have since been placed in the care of relatives.
Investigation Details
The Columbus Police Department is investigating the deaths as a double homicide. Investigators reported no obvious signs of forced entry into the home, and no firearm was recovered at the scene. This led authorities to rule out a murder-suicide scenario. Police records indicate the discovery of three 9-millimeter casings inside the residence.
As of the current reports, law enforcement has not identified a suspect or established a motive for the killings. No public warnings regarding a broader community threat have been issued. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office anticipates autopsy reports will be completed within eight to ten weeks. Authorities have requested public assistance with any information related to the case. Inquiries have also been made to police regarding potential footage from a crime camera situated near the Tepe residence.
Victim Information
Spencer Tepe, 37, was a dentist who practiced at Athens Dental Depot. He was a graduate of Ohio State University and a member of the American Dental Association. Relatives noted he was fluent in Spanish. Monique Tepe, 39, was a stay-at-home mother with a background in childhood education. The couple had married in their home and were scheduled to observe their fifth wedding anniversary the following month.
Community Response
Athens Dental Depot announced its closure for the remainder of the week following the deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe, releasing a statement expressing condolences to their families and loved ones. The Tepe family also released a statement, expressing their commitment to seeking justice.