OH - Spencer and Monique Tepe found shot to death at home 2 children unharmed, Columbus, 30 December 2025 *ex-husband arrested*

[lawyerlurker]

Someone posted it on a local Columbus online site.

At the time I wondered what the custody dispute might be about. One thing comes to mind why an ex would sue for custody when there are no living children.
Edit to add: At the time of the custody dispute issue, could there have been eggs/embryos in dispute?

Apologies if this has already been discussed; I’m responding before fully catching up!

A paralegal in Franklin County confirmed that divorce cases are automatically reopened after 8 years and it wasn’t anything of note (he didn’t file anything, etc.). But I’m sure he was notified of the temporary reopening which probably got him thinking about Monique.

Something I found interesting is that i) she paid for both of her own rings (in her affidavit of property, she claimed separate property of the rings and wrote, under the column of ‘why do you claim this as a separate property’ that she paid for the rings; and ii) the parties paid for a retired judge to oversee the final hearing and expedite the case which allowed the divorce to be finalized just 6 weeks after the initial divorce was filed

Also he just bought his condo in Chicago on July 23, 2025, wonder how long he was planning this for

ETA: oops, replied to the wrong comment

 

[KMouse]

When the murders gained media attention I assume his friends and family must have gotten in touch with him. I sure would love to know what MM's response was.

 

[stmichael]

Columbus utilizes ShotSpotter in certain areas; this close to downtown I’m sure they have it. Whether it would pick up gunshots from inside a residence, I’m not sure.

It would not be able to triangulate a gunshot fired indoors.

 

[Voidz]

He probably knew the dog if it’s 10 years old - may have lived with him before they divorced. That’s why he probably didn’t fear it.

 

[stmichael]

It was probably a slow build… his resentment grew and grew. He felt wronged by her. He is not mentally well, clearly.

Well some people wait 50 years to cold-bloodily murder a guy that bullied them in High School.

50-year grudge leads to S.D. killing, life prison term

Carl Ericsson, 73, admitted he recently killed a man over a grudge dating back to high school

www.cbsnews.com

Humans can be so messed up.

 

[OhioGuy]

He probably knew the dog if it’s 10 years old - may have lived with him before they divorced. That’s why he probably didn’t fear it.

The dog was Spencer’s initially, I believe.

 

[stmichael]

I’m not a lawyer, it looks to me like it was for a restraining order against him.

It has been reported that they both had a court ordered mutual RO.

The stated reason for the divorce was "incompatibility," and a standard mutual restraining order was issued.

Michael McKee, Monique Tepe's marriage details emerge after Spencer Tepe murder

Records show they married on August 22, 2015, and separated in March 2016. Formal divorce proceedings began in May 2017.

www.hindustantimes.com

 

[TMich6811]

I have a nanit baby video monitor and it picks up everything very accurately. I absolutely would be able to pinpoint a time for a gunshot in the other room or conversations. I’m guessing they had several versions of similar to review

 

[acutename]

Exactly like the Brown shooter and the MIT professor, his ex classmate. Their lives had diverged so much over the years, even though they had started as equals once upon a time. But now, one had everything and the other had nothing. Except envy, jealousy and rage.

these folks need to read the desiderata every day

 

[Starrlight]

could have been there before spying... and he is smart- could have studied up on locks. he some how did not disturb the dog (gave it meat? a drug?)... also he could have been drunk when he decided to do this...

From the photos of their home online. Links are a few pages back. IMO

 

[ScooterTooter]

His fingerprints are likely in the system from when he went to Medical School in Ohio. I know for Nursing programs, you are required to be finger printed. It is likely the same for medical school.

 

[ivegotcha]

View attachment 636428

He probably knew the dog if it’s 10 years old - may have lived with him before they divorced. That’s why he probably didn’t fear it.

I thought the dog belonged to Spencer

 

[warp3dwing]

I thought the public CCTV video was at 2 am? Can anyone clarify that? I think the door code automatically un-arms the system when entered correctly and door opened. He would have had to have known the code. They did have mutual friends, if he visited for the holidays, could he have heard it or seen it written somewhere. I do not think for one minute anyone else was involved or would have helped by giving him the code. What if Monique let him in for some reason, maybe he was crying, cold, acting drunk? I think that is so highly unlikely, but the lack of forced entry. Did they often leave their backdoor unlocked and that was shared knowledge? I find that hard to believe also, they had an alarm system.

Ah, you're right. After a quick search, I don't think the 3:00 am time has been officially declared by LE.

Yeah, I don't think they'd open the door for the suspect. If he was at the back door, that means he jumped the fence or otherwise broke in to the yard in the dead of night, then casually knocked? Too sus. Especially if it comes out that the Tepes were worried about this guy.

 

[stmichael]

I have a nanit baby video monitor and it picks up everything very accurately. I absolutely would be able to pinpoint a time for a gunshot in the other room or conversations. I’m guessing they had several versions of similar to review

I agree. But from my experience many homeowners don't always use what they have - don't always arm alarm, forget to recharge Ring camera, unplug the baby monitor. I'm with you, I was papa bear and my security errs on the side of overkill.

But I'm surprised they did not seem to list any of these indicators in the arresting complaint. No camera footage from the home, the alarm seemed to not get called in etc. Now the Ring doorbell cam on the front door was way up the stairs and would only motion detect if someone was right on top of it, but yeah I'd expect more security on that house in this day and age, and given the history of the neighborhood.

It really seems that this case relied on the neighbor's camera footage and the trail of other footage that linked him to his own car with his own plates. Thankfully, he was stupid enough or just too filled with rage to cover that. I'm sure more details of the above will emerge.

 

[planet]

This is so weird. And surprising....the last person I would have thought of doing it.

Never got over divorce? I dont get it. Why?

Men who are possessive, controlling, and jealous, and who can't manage their anger and resentment at losing a spouse who they think of as "theirs," may resort to homicide or murder-suicide. "If I can't have her, no one can."

We have an epidemic of violence directed at women (and their children, and sometimes their spouses), killed every year by their ex-boyfriends and spouses.

Guy Turcotte comes to mind. His actions were different. But they similarly suggest jealous rage directed at his children to punish his wife and steal her joy.

Guy Turcotte killings - Wikipedia Guy Turcotte killings - Wikipedia

 

[warp3dwing]

I have a nanit baby video monitor and it picks up everything very accurately. I absolutely would be able to pinpoint a time for a gunshot in the other room or conversations. I’m guessing they had several versions of similar to review

Oh wow, that could be forensic gold if true.

 

[acutename]

Can you even imagine what that woman will be thinking when she learns the news?

I wonder if she looks like Monique

 

[Starrlight]

Apologies if this has already been discussed; I’m responding before fully catching up!

A paralegal in Franklin County confirmed that divorce cases are automatically reopened after 8 years and it wasn’t anything of note (he didn’t file anything, etc.). But I’m sure he was notified of the temporary reopening which probably got him thinking about Monique.

Something I found interesting is that i) she paid for both of her own rings (in her affidavit of property, she claimed separate property of the rings and wrote, under the column of ‘why do you claim this as a separate property’ that she paid for the rings; and ii) the parties paid for a retired judge to oversee the final hearing and expedite the case which allowed the divorce to be finalized just 6 weeks after the initial divorce was filed

Also he just bought his condo in Chicago on July 23, 2025, wonder how long he was planning this for

ETA: oops, replied to the wrong comment

Why would divorce cases be automatically opened after 8 years?

 

[LittleSeaTree]

I'm sorry to say this but if he really wanted to hurt Monique he would have killed her children. I'm grateful he didn't. So what's going on here? IMO

Most likely that he couldn’t handle Monique and Spencer being together?

 

[skyedaze]

Is the ex the guy in the video? Do we know? We mneed to see that affidavit. I wonder how he got in?