True Crime Society - The murder of Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique

Spencer Tepe (37) and his wife Monique (39) were found shot to death inside their home in Weinland Park, Ohio on December 30, 2025. Their two children were found inside the home, thankfully unharmed.

In terms of what we know about the couple, they married in 2021. Monique had been previously married between 2015 and 2017, and that marriage ended in divorce.

Spencer and Monique married in 2021. According to CNN, the couple got married in the backyard of the home where they would end up being murdered. Their fifth wedding anniversary would have been in January 2026.

Spencer was a graduate of Ohio State University and a member of the American Dental Association. His family said that he was a “devoted and proud father, a loving partner, and a friend to everyone he met.”

He was fluent in Spanish, a major fan of the Bengals and Buckeyes football teams and had a generous and energetic spirit, they said.

This information is from the bio on the Athens Dental Depot website, where Spencer worked.

Dr. Spencer Tepe attended The Ohio State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, while double majoring in Spanish. He continued his education at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2017.

Since graduating, Dr. Tepe has invested hundreds of hours in continuing education and focuses on comprehensive dentistry with a special interest in dental implant therapy. Dr. Tepe is passionate about delivering the highest quality of care and a comfortable experience while building meaningful relationships with his patients.

Outside of the office, Dr. Tepe enjoys golf, travel, and time with his family.

His wife Monique had a background in childhood education and “brought care and intention into everything she did,” their family said. She was described as a loving, patient and joyful mother “whose warmth defined her.”

The couple, their family said, were “extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and a deep connection to others.”

The couple had two children together, who were aged 4 and 1 at the time of the murders.

The family lived in Weinland Park, an area of Columbus, Ohio. Their home was around 75 miles from Spencer’s workplace – a solid commute. You can see their home here.

We have included this info from the listing of the home as it gives the reader an idea of the crime scene.

Amazing 2,552SF new build in Weinland Park! * * 15 YEAR 100% TAX ABATEMENT! * * This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom single family features exceptional architecture with open living spaces flooded by natural light. White quartz countertops, gray cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, modern gas fireplace, and hardwood floors throughout the living space! Second floor features three large bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and laundry. Lower level features a fourth bedroom, full bath, and large recreation room. Spacious fenced rear yard with paver patio and 2-car detached garage. Don’t miss this opportunity! Expected completion date is April 2020.

You can see the same fence featured in the house listing in the Tepe’s wedding photos.

The family had a Goldendoodle named Larry who was unharmed in the incident.

The owner of Athens Dental Depot – Dr Mark Valrose – has said that Spencer was a reliable employee, who rarely missed work.

According to the website, the practice is open:

Monday 9-5; Tuesday thru Thursday 8–4; Friday 8–3 or by appointment

It seems that Spencer was due to arrive prior to 9am, and when he did not show up and his employer could not get in touch with him or Monique, Dr Valrose called for a welfare check. We have read an online comment that indicated that Dr Valrose was actually on vacation and Spencer was due to arrive at the practice at 8am to get ready for the day. We cannot verify this but it would explain why a welfare call was made before the business actually opened.

Dr Valrose called 911 at around 8:58 a.m. and asked police to conduct a wellness check, telling the dispatcher: “He is always on time, and he would contact us if there were any issues,” according to the recording.

“I don’t know how else to say this, but we are very, very concerned. This is very out of character for him,” he continued. “We can’t get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing.”

At 9:22 a.m., an officer arrived at the home to perform the welfare check, but no one answered the door, WSYX reported, citing police records.

Around 30 minutes later, a friend and some of Spencer’s colleagues arrived at the home, but also did not get a response, the dispatch records showed. A man at the scene also called 911 at 9:56 a.m., saying he heard children crying inside.

“I can hear kids inside, and I swear I think I heard one yell,” the caller said, according to dispatch audio. “But we can’t get in. At this point, I don’t know if I need to break the door in to get in the house or what.”

Two minutes later, another colleague of Spencer called 911 to say they had been unable to reach him for about three hours, according to the recordings obtained by WSYX.

Around 10:03 a.m., a friend of Spencer’s who said the two last spoke the day before, was audibly distressed as he called 911: “There’s a body,” he reported.

“Our friend wasn’t answering his phone … we just came here and he appears dead,” the friend said.

After the couple were found, Spencer’s brother-in-law Rob Misleh expressed the shock and anger that the family were feeling.

“We’re all still in shock and obviously angry and just trying to put pieces together,” he said.

Rob also spoke about how he remembered the couple “You never saw them without a smile on their face. They were so warm. Their place in Columbus was just where everybody gathered. They always had people over. Always having fun. Just great people.”

He also spoke about how devoted Spencer and Monique were to their children.

“Oh my God, yes. They lived for their children. You know, Spencer was an avid golfer. Mo was an avid runner. And, you know, they they still did those things. They put those aside when, when the kids are born and their lives became about their children and, you know, sharing their children with, with all of us and, and just loving them.”

A family member – who we assume to be Rob based on the user name – made this post on social media.

Rob has also spoken to NewsNation and said that he does not believe the children witnessed the murders. He believes the children likely didn’t see anything at the crime scene and were “just as happy” as ever.

According to police, no firearm or weapon was found at the home. There was also no sign of forced entry.

The Columbus PD issued an appeal for information.

“The Columbus Division of Police Homicide Unit is asking that anyone who may have video, photographs, or other digital evidence related to this incident, including suspicious individuals or vehicles.

Police are specifically asking for any evidence from Dec. 30 between midnight and 9 a.m. in the area bordered by Summit Street (East Boundary) to N. Grant Avenue (West Boundary) and E. 7th Avenue (South Boundary) to E. 11th Avenue (North Boundary).

On January 5, police released CCTV of a possible suspect in the case and they also released a narrower timeline of when they believe the murders occurred.

The timeline narrowed from between midnight and 9 a.m. Dec. 30 to between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Police are still requesting any video be from the area bounded by Summit Street, North Grant Avenue, East 7th Avenue and East 11th Avenue.

Brother in law Rob has spoken again about the possible suspect. This quote is from TMZ:

He described the unidentified individual as “suspicious-looking” but surmised the person could have simply been “walking home drunk from a bar.”

On January 6, preliminary causes of death for Spencer and Monique were released.

The Office of Coroner Nathaniel R. Overmire at the Franklin County Forensic Science Center tells PEOPLE the apparent causes of deaths for the couple were gunshot wounds.

Their deaths are being investigated as homicides, per the report.

An official cause of death is yet to be released, pending other details required for the coroner’s determination, such as toxicology reports, the coroner’s office tells PEOPLE.

Police previously said Spencer suffered several gunshot wounds and Monique was shot in the chest once, according to a report previously cited by WSYX. The coroner’s office declined to confirm this information and directed PEOPLE to Columbus police.

Also on January 6, media reports were published that indicate a woman had called 911 from the Tepe address months before the murders. The dispatcher described the call as being related to a ‘domestic dispute.’

After hanging up initially, the caller told the 911 operator, “me and my man got into it,” according to newly obtained records.

The call was placed on April 15 at 2:45 a.m., according to records. The woman could be heard crying throughout the call before telling police she no longer needed officers to come.

Columbus officials didn’t include a name for the caller in the dispatch logs.

Operator: “Hi, this is 911. We just got a hang-up call. Is everything OK?”

Female voice: “Yeah, I’m sorry. I’m OK.”

Operator: “Are you sure?”

Female voice: “Yeah, yeah, I’m OK, sorry.”

Operator: “Well, it sounds like you’re crying. Do you need police, paramedics or anything?”

Female voice: “No, no. No, I’m OK. I promise. I’m just emotional. [inaudible]”

Operator: “Well, can I ask what had you called 911 in the first place?”

Female voice: “Because me and my man got into it, but I’m OK, I promise.”

Operator: “Did anything ever get physical?”

Female voice: [Crying] “No.”

Operator: “You guys were just arguing, nobody hit each other?”

Female voice: “M’hm, yes.”

Operator: “Well, I have the information here. I can go ahead and tell the officers to cancel heading over to your address…If anything changes, call us back.”

Female voice: “Yes, yes, yes, I’m sorry…OK, I’m sorry.”

There has been much discussion about the call online.