The shocking double homicide of Columbus dentist Dr. Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique Tepe continues to haunt the community, with investigators piecing together a timeline that offers few answers but plenty of questions. Found shot to death in their Weinland Park home on December 30, 2025, the couple left behind two young children who miraculously survived the ordeal unharmed. As the case remains open with no arrests, recent updates—including the release of surveillance footage—have intensified the search for truth in what authorities describe as a targeted killing.

A Normal Family in an Ordinary Neighborhood

Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, appeared to live an idyllic life. Spencer, a dedicated dentist at Athens Dental Depot, commuted from Columbus and was praised for his warmth, fluency in Spanish, and community involvement through programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters. A passionate Ohio State Buckeyes and Cincinnati Bengals fan, he was known for his infectious energy and generosity.

Monique, a former educator turned stay-at-home mom, was celebrated for her patience, joy, and baking talents. The couple, married in an intimate 2021 ceremony at their home amid the pandemic, were approaching their fifth anniversary. Their household included two children—a 4-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son—plus a beloved Goldendoodle, creating a picture of domestic happiness in the revitalizing Weinland Park area.

Neighbors described them as friendly yet private, ordinary in the best way. The home on North 4th Street held deep meaning: it was where they built their family and exchanged vows.

The Discovery: A Day of Growing Alarm

Trouble surfaced when Spencer failed to arrive for work—an anomaly for the punctual professional. His employer and colleagues, unable to reach him or Monique, placed frantic 911 calls starting around 9 a.m. Friends soon joined, peering through windows and hearing the heartbreaking sound of children crying inside.

Police conducted a welfare check shortly after, entering to find the couple deceased upstairs. Spencer had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, Monique one to the chest. Shell casings were present, but no firearm. The children, in a separate room, were physically safe but traumatized, now in relatives’ care.

No signs of forced entry added immediate intrigue, suggesting the killer gained access without struggle—perhaps known to the victims or invited inside.

Investigation: A Person of Interest and Lingering Questions

Columbus police swiftly ruled out murder-suicide, classifying the deaths as homicides. The estimated time of the shootings—between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.—narrowed the focus. On January 5, 2026, authorities released surveillance video of a person of interest: a figure in a dark hooded jacket and light pants walking in a nearby alley during that window.

The individual has not been identified, and police urge tips, including any doorbell or security footage from the surrounding blocks. No motive has been revealed, and the absence of theft or vandalism points to a personal or targeted act.

Family statements, delivered through Monique’s brother Rob Misleh, express devastation while committing to justice and protecting the children. “We are heartbroken beyond words,” they shared, honoring the couple’s love-filled life.

Community Grief and Calls for Justice

The Weinland Park neighborhood, once marked by challenges but now improving, reels from the violence. Memorials of flowers and notes accumulate outside the home, symbols of collective sorrow. Residents express fear over the unknown perpetrator, even as police assure no ongoing public threat.

This case’s intimacy—a family attacked in their sanctuary—amplifies the horror. The spared children underscore life’s fragility, fueling determination for answers.

As forensics, interviews, and tips continue, hope endures for resolution. The Tepes’ legacy of kindness lives on, a beacon amid darkness.

The investigation persists, with every lead pursued to honor a couple taken too soon.