A quiet Columbus, Ohio neighborhood is now the center of a desperate search for a killer. Spencer and Monique Tepe, a young couple just weeks shy of their fifth wedding anniversary, were found dead in their home Tuesday morning, victims of a brutal shooting.
The discovery wasn’t made by police initially, but by growing concern. Spencer, a dentist, failed to arrive at work, an anomaly that immediately alarmed his employer, Mark Valrose, who made the first 911 call requesting a wellness check. Valrose described Spencer as unfailingly punctual and reliable, making his absence deeply unsettling.
Officers responded to the Tepe residence and attempted to make contact, knocking repeatedly on both front and back doors. Silence. The growing unease prompted a friend of Spencer’s to also visit, and he reported hearing a child’s cry from within the house, escalating the urgency.
What officers found inside was a horrific scene. Spencer had been shot multiple times, Monique at least once in the chest. Despite the tragedy, two young children were found safe within the home, their lives spared from the violence that claimed their parents.
Investigators quickly ruled out a murder-suicide, and the absence of a weapon at the scene, coupled with no signs of forced entry, deepened the mystery. Police are now meticulously reviewing surveillance footage from the surrounding area, requesting video from residents between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
A chilling detail emerged from 911 calls: a bystander reported seeing a body near the bed, lying in a pool of blood, while a baby’s cries echoed from inside. Bullet casings discovered at the scene confirmed the violent nature of the attack.
The family, devastated by the loss, released a statement describing Spencer and Monique as “extraordinary people” whose lives were filled with love and connection. Spencer, a graduate of The Ohio State University, was remembered as a devoted father, loving partner, and a friend to all.
He was also actively involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters, demonstrating a commitment to mentoring and supporting young people. Monique was described as a loving and joyful mother, her warmth a defining characteristic.
The couple’s upcoming fifth anniversary, scheduled for next month, now represents a heartbreaking reminder of a future stolen. Their wedding in 2021 had promised a lifetime of happiness, a promise tragically cut short.
As the investigation continues, Columbus police are appealing to the public for any information that might lead to the arrest of the person responsible for this senseless act of violence, leaving a family and a community reeling in grief.
