Columbus police are urgently looking for a suspect after Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, were found shot dead in their Weinland Park home on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. There were no signs of forced entry or a weapon at the scene, and their two young children were found unharmed inside the house. Authorities have ruled out murder-suicide and called the case a double homicide, which has led to a public request for information.
Around 9 a.m., Spencer’s boss at Athens Dental Depot, Dr. Mark Valrose, called 911 to report that the on-time dentist had not shown up for work. Colleagues went to the N. 4th Street house and heard children crying and maybe even a yell, but no one answered. This led to another frantic 911 call that found Spencer’s body. The police got there not long after 10 a.m. and confirmed that Spencer had been shot multiple times and Monique at least once in the chest.
Detectives didn’t find a gun or any signs of a break-in, which makes them wonder how the killer got in or if the couple knew the attacker. The couple had been married since 2021 and were about to celebrate their fifth anniversary. They lived in a wealthy neighborhood, which made the motive even more mysterious. If you have information, please call the Homicide Unit at (614) 645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS.
What the Community Did
Athens Dental Depot closed for the week and put up a heartfelt tribute to Spencer, a beloved coworker who will be missed by patients and staff. A memorial of roses and sunflowers is growing outside the house, showing how shocked the community is by the tragic death. As of January 2, 2026, no information about the suspect has come to light, so the manhunt is still on.
