A respected dentist and his wife were tragically gunned down in their upscale Ohio home, while their two young children were inside, according to authorities. The horrific incident occurred in Columbus, where the bodies of Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife, Monique Tepe, 39, were discovered following a welfare check by police. This shocking event has left the community in mourning and raised numerous questions as the killer remains on the loose.
The Columbus police reported that the welfare check took place at their residence located in the 1400 block of N. 4th Street. Upon arrival, officers found the couple's bodies, while the two small children were unharmed in the home. Authorities noted that there were no obvious signs of forced entry, and no firearm was recovered at the scene, as reported by CNN affiliate WSYX.
Detectives are treating the case as a double homicide rather than a murder-suicide, a direction that was not surprising to CNN Senior National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem. She explained, “If there’s no gun, there would have been no way to do murder-suicide.” The presence of the children, who were found safe, further supported this investigation route.
Spencer Tepe was employed at Athens Dental Depot, where the practice's owner, Dr. Mark Valrose, expressed deep concern when Tepe failed to show up for work on Tuesday morning. Valrose described him as someone who was always punctual and would inform the office of any issues. “This is very out of character for him,” Valrose stated during a 911 call, highlighting the worry surrounding both Spencer and Monique's well-being.
When police arrived at the scene at 9:22 a.m., they received no response. Concerned colleagues also drove to the Tepes’ home, with one friend reporting that they heard children crying from inside but could not get anyone to answer the door. A distressed caller subsequently alerted police around 9:56 a.m., stating, “I can hear kids inside, and I think I heard one yell.” Just moments later, another caller reported discovering a body.
Juliette Kayyem suggested that the investigation might revolve around two possible scenarios: either a stranger committing a random act of violence or a more targeted attack. To determine a motive, investigators will delve into forensics, assess potential entry points of the killer, and investigate whether any belongings were stolen from the home. They will also look into the couple's history to identify if there were any threats to the family.
Kayyem emphasized that such a crime is “exceptionally rare.” She noted that the absence of forced entry or burglary indicators suggests that the perpetrator may have had knowledge of the couple or their residence. “National data suggests how uncommon this is, as well as the likelihood that there may be someone who knew them involved in this incident,” she said.
Athens Dental Depot has announced its closure for the rest of the week in light of this tragic event. The practice shared a heartfelt message on Facebook, stating, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the sudden passing of our dear colleague and friend, Dr. Spencer Tepe, as well as his wife Monique. He will be deeply missed by our team and the many patients he cared for over the years. Our thoughts and sincerest condolences are with their families and loved ones during this very difficult time.”
This tragic incident has not only shaken the local community but also serves as a reminder of the necessity for vigilance and community support in times of crisis. As the investigation continues, authorities are calling on anyone with information to come forward to assist in bringing justice for the Tepe family.