In the serene Weinland Park neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, the tragic saga of Spencer Tepe, 37, a compassionate dentist, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, a devoted former educator and baker, took a heart-wrenching turn as family members broke their silence amid an ongoing investigation into their shocking deaths. Discovered on December 30, 2025, with multiple gunshot wounds in their North 4th Street home, the couple’s passing has left a community in mourning and authorities piecing together a puzzle of unanswered questions. The children, a 4-year-old girl and 1-year-old boy, were found unharmed downstairs, now under the care of relatives who are grappling with the impossible task of explaining the irreversible loss.

Family spokespeople, including Spencer’s brother-in-law, have expressed profound grief, noting the challenge of helping the young daughter process that she will never see her parents again. The child, staying with various family members, is being kept distracted through play and routines, having said little since the incident. The toddler, too young to remember, adds to the family’s heartache as they vow to provide stability. This comes as investigators confirm no signs of forced entry, suggesting the intruder may have been familiar with the home. The attack, occurring between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on the second floor, left three 9mm shell casings but no weapon, ruling out murder-suicide in favor of a targeted double homicide.

Adding layers of anguish, details emerged about a distress call found unsent on a phone at the scene—digits for 911 dialed but never connected, hinting at a desperate final attempt amid the chaos. Compounding the horror, kitchen surveillance CCTV footage captured the harrowing last 90 seconds of the tragedy, revealing unimaginable acts that have left even seasoned detectives stunned. While specifics remain guarded to protect the investigation, the video underscores the brutality of the assault, showing shadows and movements that paint a picture of terror in what was once a haven of family warmth.

Spencer was celebrated for his mentorship in Big Brothers Big Sisters, guiding youths like Hans Hernandez from childhood to engineering success. Monique’s baking brought joy to gatherings, strengthening bonds in their close-knit circle. A private vigil on January 6, 2026, allowed neighbors to honor their legacy as pillars of kindness. As tips pour into Columbus Police and Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, focus intensifies on a person of interest from external surveillance: a figure in a black hooded jacket and jeans, hands in pockets, pacing a nearby alley during the crime window. Grainy but pivotal, this footage has spurred numerous leads, with police urging more submissions.

Nine months prior, a 911 call from the home reported a domestic issue before abruptly ending, now under scrutiny for possible links, though clarified as involving a guest, not the couple. Motive eludes detectives—no robbery evident, no clear enemies—heightening community anxiety in a city that solved most 2025 homicides. Digital trails and interviews continue, but the absence of arrests fuels speculation: Was it personal vendetta, or something more sinister? The family pleads for justice, emphasizing the need to shield the children while seeking closure in this nightmare that shattered an ordinary life.