Columbus, Ohio — A chilling new development in the brutal double homicide of dentist Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique, 39, has surfaced with the release of security footage from near their residence. The video shows a mysterious figure walking near their home just hours before their bodies were discovered, raising new questions in an already complex investigation.

The footage, while grainy, offers a brief but significant glimpse of a person walking through a nearby alley between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. — the time window police believe the murders occurred. The individual’s face is obscured, and their identity remains unknown, but the authorities are confident that someone out there may recognize the person based on their distinct walk and body posture.

The Discovery of the Bodies

The chilling sequence of events began on the morning of December 30, 2025. When Spencer Tepe, a respected dentist in Columbus, failed to show up for work and was unreachable, concerned coworkers and friends contacted the police. Authorities went to check on the couple, and inside their home, they found Spencer and Monique both shot dead, likely during the early morning hours. They had no apparent signs of forced entry, and there were no weapons found at the scene.

The case has left the community shaken, with many wondering if the killer was someone close to the couple or a stranger who carried out the attack under mysterious circumstances.

The Mysterious Footage: A Stranger in the Dark

On January 5, 2026, the Columbus Division of Police released footage from a neighborhood security camera showing a figure walking near the Tepe family’s home in the hours leading up to the murders. While the video quality is not ideal, the movement of the individual is clear enough to suggest a person who may have been walking with intent.

Police have described the figure as a person of interest, emphasizing that this is not yet a suspect. The blurry footage shows someone dressed in a dark hoodie, walking through a narrow alley just blocks from the Tepe residence. Despite the poor visibility, investigators believe that the timing of the figure’s presence could be crucial to piecing together the events leading to the double murder.

Authorities have not released any additional details about the individual or potential connections to the crime, but they have urged anyone with information to come forward.

Investigators’ Theory: Timing Is Key

The time frame captured in the video is key, according to investigators. The murders likely occurred between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m. on the morning of December 30. This was a critical window when the security footage shows the individual walking past the alley near the Tepe’s home.

Though the image is blurred and the person’s face is not visible, investigators are hopeful that someone who recognizes the unique gait or posture of the figure will be able to offer crucial insights. The person’s methodical walk could indicate someone familiar with the area, or potentially, someone who was preparing to commit a crime in the early hours of the morning.

Authorities are also working to expand the search for other security footage from the area, hoping to find additional evidence of the person’s movement before and after this time.

Unanswered Questions and Community Shock

While investigators work around the clock to piece together the puzzle, several key questions remain unanswered:

Who was this person walking near the crime scene?

Why was the individual in the area around the time of the murders?

Was this person a witness to the crime, or do they have a direct connection to the deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe?

Local residents have expressed a mix of disbelief and fear, as the idea of a stranger walking freely near the crime scene raises unsettling possibilities. Many have described Spencer and Monique as beloved figures in the community — a couple known for their generosity, good-nature, and commitment to their family. The fact that their deaths remain a mystery has left their neighbors in shock.

What’s Next for the Investigation?

As police continue their search for the mysterious figure in the video, they have urged the public to review any home security footage, social media posts, or other evidence from around the time of the murders. Even a small detail could provide the breakthrough they desperately need.

Investigators have stated that they are pursuing all possible leads, from exploring the potential for personal connections to uncovering whether this was the result of a random attack.

The case remains open, and police have promised that they will not rest until they have answers for the families of Spencer and Monique Tepe.

The Public’s Role in Solving the Case

While the police have kept many details about the case under wraps, they have continued to request the public’s assistance in identifying the person in the video. With the release of the footage, authorities are hoping that someone will recognize the distinctive walk or posture and come forward with information.

The investigation has garnered widespread attention in the Columbus area and beyond, with people offering tips and information through Crime Stoppers and other anonymous channels.

Though the family of Spencer and Monique Tepe has remained largely silent on the details of the investigation, they continue to ask for privacy during this difficult time while expressing their hopes that justice will be served.

The Push for Answers

Despite the terrifying uncertainty surrounding the case, many are holding out hope that one piece of evidence — whether it’s a lead on the identity of the person in the video or information about the timeline of the murders — could break open the case. The grainy security footage is just one piece of the puzzle, and police are focused on following every lead in order to bring justice to the Tepe family.

Authorities are urging anyone with knowledge or tips to reach out to the Columbus Police Department or Crime Stoppers to help solve this devastating crime.