New Details Uncovered Following the Deaths of Ohio Dentist Spencer Tepe and His Wife Monique

One week after their deaths, new details have emerged in the case of a Columbus couple found dead in their home, including video evidence and public tips.

Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique, 39, were discovered on December 30, 2025, during a welfare check after family and friends grew concerned when they couldn't reach them.

Since then, police have released surveillance footage showing a person of interest, a family member has created a donation campaign to support the couple's children, and online speculation has continued to grow as the case remains open.

Cause of Death Revealed

According to People, the Office of Coroner Nathaniel R. Overmire at the Franklin County Forensic Science Center stated that the apparent cause of death for both was gunshot wounds.

However, the official cause has not been released, as toxicology testing and additional forensic analysis are still underway. Their deaths are being investigated as homicides.

A previous report from WSYX stated that Spencer had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and Monique had been shot once in the chest. The coroner's office declined to confirm these details and referred further questions to Columbus police.

Spencer, a respected dentist, and Monique were beloved members of their community. Their deaths have left neighbors and loved ones devastated.

Family Launches Fundraiser to Support Children

A GoFundMe campaign, launched by Spencer's cousin Audrey Mackie, describes the family's heartbreak. Mackie called the couple "extraordinary people" who lived with "love, joy, and deep connection to others."

She wrote that Monique had an "infectious smile," while Spencer was "the soul of every gathering." The couple shared two young children. Funds raised will help support their family during this time of loss.

Police Release Chilling Surveillance Footage

Columbus police released surveillance footage showing a person of interest walking through a snow-covered alley near the couple's home between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m. on December 30 of last year.

The individual appears to be wearing a dark hooded jacket and dark pants, walking away from the camera with their head down and hands either in their pockets or held close to their sides.

Investigators believe the murders happened during that window. They are urging anyone with information to contact them. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers.

"We know there are questions and concerns surrounding this tragic incident," police said in a statement. "Detectives are working diligently to solve this case."

Online Speculation Erupts as Case Remains Open

The video has drawn widespread attention online, sparking speculation and debate across social media.

On Facebook, one user wrote, "No forced entry. Doubtful they would leave their doors unlocked. Had to be someone they knew or had access to their house." Another said the person in the video looked like a woman.

One person simply named Monique's ex as a possible suspect. Someone else asked, "Has the ex husband [sic] been ruled out?" A different viewer suggested infidelity, saying one of the victims might have been involved in a love triangle.

A separate commenter raised the idea that someone with access to the home, like a person with a key or the security code, could be responsible.

On Instagram, some echoed similar theories. "It [sic] someone close to the family," one commenter said.

A second shared that there was no forced entry, suggesting the couple may have opened the door to someone they knew or possibly left it unlocked. They also pointed out that nothing appeared to be stolen, no weapon was found at the scene, and the children were unharmed. Drawing from other true crime cases, they believed the killer was likely someone familiar to the victims.

Another added, "This is so sad/ and people will be mad I say this, but this was personal. The detectives need to be looking into people close to the family, exes, and business partners. 💯 RIP."

Before investigators released new details, the first signs that something was wrong came from a missed routine.

As previously reported, Columbus police received the first call at 9:03 a.m. on December 30 of last year, after a colleague requested a well-being check on Spencer, who had not arrived at work and could not be reached by phone, according to records obtained by The Columbus Dispatch.

For those who knew Spencer's habits, the silence alone was enough to raise concern.

A Missed Routine That Prompted the First Check

Spencer worked at Athens Dental Depot, which opens at 8 a.m., on Tuesdays. The caller told dispatchers it was entirely out of character for him to miss work without notice.

"He is always on time and he would contact us if there was any issue whatsoever," the colleague said in the call to the police. "I just don't know how else to say this." An officer arrived at the home on the 1400 block of North 4th Street around 9:22 a.m., found no response at the door, and left.

When Concern Turned Into Alarm

As the morning progressed and Spencer remained unreachable, the concern that began at his workplace spread beyond it. By 9:57 a.m., another call came in, this time from a man at the residence who reported hearing children inside the house. At 10 a.m., another coworker called the police, saying she was worried about the dentist's well-being and was heading to the residence.

At 10:05 am, a friend called the police from the home. He said he went there because Spencer was not answering the phone. According to dispatcher recordings, the caller said he could see a body inside the house, lying near a bed. "There is a body inside," the caller stated.

Police returned to the home, located two young children inside, and executed a search warrant at the residence. What they found next would confirm the worst fears raised by the earlier calls.

Who Was Found Inside the Home

Authorities later confirmed that Spencer, 37, and his wife, Monique Tepe, 39, were found dead inside their Weinland Park home. Spencer had been shot multiple times, according to a police radio run log obtained by The Dispatch.

A police dispatcher report also referenced a "41A," a code used for robbery reports. Police said there were no indications of a murder-suicide but declined to release further details. As of December 31, 2025, Columbus police had not returned The Dispatch's follow-up calls.

As investigators worked to piece together what happened, attention also turned to the lives interrupted by the violence.

Who Spencer and Monique Were

Spencer's staff profile reportedly listed him as a dentist at the dental depot in Athens, Ohio. He earned bachelor's degrees in Spanish and biology from The Ohio State University and completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery there in 2017.

"Outside of the office, Dr. Tepe enjoys golf, travel, and time with his family," the profile reportedly stated. The dental office closed on Friday to mourn his death.

What Investigators Have Ruled Out

While many questions remain unanswered, police have publicly addressed a few key points. In a report by WKYC, investigators said they have ruled out a murder-suicide, have not publicly named any suspects, and are treating the case as a homicide. Police have not confirmed whether a robbery occurred, nor have they explained how the suspect may have entered the home.

According to a New York Post report, investigators believe the suspect may have been captured on a police camera mounted on a utility pole near the intersection of Fourth Street and East Eighth Avenue, just a few hundred feet from the home. The report said there were no signs of forced entry, and the suspect quickly fled the area. Police have not confirmed the footage publicly.

Neighbors Describe a Shaken Block

As details continue to emerge, residents nearby began grappling with the reality that the violence occurred so close to home. Residents nearby told The Dispatch the neighborhood is typically quiet.

Andrew Pla, who lived next door, said he was away when the shooting occurred and described feeling unsettled upon learning what happened.

Across the street, Ethan Garcia said he often saw Monique leaving for work in the mornings and described the news as deeply concerning.

Family Speaks as Community Grieves

For those closest to the couple, the shock quickly gave way to grief. A family member described shock, anger, and despair as investigators continue their work. Rob Misleh said:

"They were so warm. Their place in Columbus was just where everybody gathered. They always had people over, always having fun, just great people. They're just amazing parents and their kids are beautiful, but they, they did such a great job, and you know we have a huge community that now will obviously step in and help raise these children."

Mark Valrose, the owner of Athens Dental Depot, also stated, "He will be deeply missed by our team and the many patients he cared for over the years."

An Online Detail Drawing Attention

As the investigation unfolded, an online claim began circulating. On X, a handle claimed that someone had searched Monique's name online roughly 12 hours before the killings.

Police have not commented on the claim or confirmed whether it is relevant to the investigation. Days after the shooting, key questions remain unanswered: who entered the home, why, and whether the children witnessed anything that could help investigators.

For now, police say the case remains active, and the community is left grappling with the sudden loss of two lives, and the silence surrounding how it all happened.

In the end, what began as a colleague's quiet worry, a missed shift, and an unanswered phone left behind far larger questions than answers. Until more details emerge, the case remains defined not only by what is known, but also by what is missing and by the lingering unease that something so devastating could have unfolded from a moment that first seemed merely out of character.