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

[Charlot123]

If he lost his license because he went off rail during/after the divorce, I bet he blamed Monique for that.

Not necessarily lost. Licenses expire if one doesn't renew them or pays for them. I think he trained in a different state.

 

[ivegotcha]

Source?

I am still looking for the source but I remember reading that the dog Larry was with Spencer before he met his wife. .... just having trouble finding it maybe others can chime in and assist you on finding your answer.

 

[acutename]

Have you ever been through a divorce? It is a life-altering experience, even with no kids involved. Their divorce might have appeared uneventful on paper, but no divorce is uneventful emotionally. I don”t know how their marriage ended, or who left whom, but people can harbor rage and resentment for years. Eight years is a long time to harbor a grudge, I understand that, but we do not have many details. Something recent might have happened to trigger him. M & S’s wedding video being freely available on YT might not have helped either. He was honestly my main suspect from day 1. It just made the most sense since it was called targeted, even 8 years after the divorce. I guess I have watched and read too much true crime. I bet LE looked into him hard right away.

wonder if they still had any common friends.... he was in IL but they all went to school in OH.

 

[Voidz]

Why would the ex not take the opportunity to carry this out against Monique when Spencer was at work? Why both?

 

[OhioGuy]

Yeah, I generally say my home security is designed to keep out opportunistic bad actors. It’s realistically impossible to prevent someone from getting in if they are intent on doing so. The only question is how much attention they’ll attract in the process and how long they’ll have to do what they intend to do. Murder in particular is quick. It’s disconcerting.

I joke that the biggest weakness in my home security is the fact I order food delivery regularly. I’ve had both a neighbor and my landlord corner me into an unwanted conversation when I’ve gone to my door to grab food lol.

So I’m not at all surprised he was able to get in with no signs of forced entry. I’m just curious which method he used, and whether he did a practice run to test out some of these options.

Reasonably likelypossibilities I see:
-Picked the lock using methods researched in advance. Very possible. As a surgeon, he likely had the skills to figure this out and accomplish it.
-Got in through an unlocked or weakly locked window or balcony door, which aren’t uncommon, with the backup plan of just smashing a window if needed. Simple and reliable.
-Guessed the code. I don’t believe this could have been his sole plan the night of the murders, but he could have tried in advance and got lucky, or tried it with the intent of smashing a window if it didn’t work. The house was bought before they got married, so that rules out wedding anniversary and kids birthdays. I think he’d be left with trying a combination of M and S’s birthdays, or any code he knew that M used regularly when they were together.

Has there been any reliable info on whether an alarm went off? I looked into Simplisafe once, and got deterred by reviews that the alarm would erroneously go off. Maybe they didn’t set it at night and only used it when out of town.

I agree that picking the lock is most likely. Guessing the code is still possible though, codes can be changed without much time or effort. It’s also possible the keypads that were on the doors when it was built were upgraded by the victims at some point and they would (presumably) pick their own codes at that point vs sticking with the manufacturer presets.

Window is unlikely to me as from the exterior you’d need to damage the screen to do so and you can’t shut a window and return the screen from outside. My experience only, though.

 

[armchairagatha]

I wonder if he tried to win her back. He was settled now, making good money as a vascular surgeon (much more than a general dentist like Spencer), had his own place in a nice area in Chicago. But Monique probably turned him down (I saw some comments saying she said he was delusional). She wasn't going to leave her new, happy family for him no matter how much money he made or what fancy doctor he was. Maybe that is what drove him over the edge - not just the original divorce, but her recent spurning of him. The original divorce may have never been final in his mind. He may have always thought he could win her back once he was settled and making good money. Once he realized that was never happening, the Tepes were doomed. MOO.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

You mean, when they remarried?

Yes! I corrected.
Thanks,

 

[ivegotcha]

Source?

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 BIL posted online that “Larry” the golden doodle belonged to Spencer before he and Monique were married.

The BIL said that he and Spencer traveled together to Boston, MA to get the two golden doodle puppies who were litter mates.

BIL’s golden doodle passed away at 6 years old from an illness and Spencer’s dog “Larry” is currently 10 years old.

 

[warp3dwing]

I agree that picking the lock is most likely. Guessing the code is still possible though, codes can be changed without much time or effort. It’s also possible the keypads that were on the doors when it was built were upgraded by the victims at some point and they would (presumably) pick their own codes at that point vs sticking with the manufacturer presets.

Window is unlikely to me as from the exterior you’d need to damage the screen to do so and you can’t shut a window and return the screen from outside. My experience only, though.

Wouldn’t picking the lock and opening the door trigger the alarm system? I’m not too familiar with how these systems work.

 

[Sevenwilliams]

FLOCK CAMERAS THE GREATEST LAW ENFORCMENT TOOL OF ALL TIME.

 

[Sundog]

I was thinking about how he was able to get in and I can't imagine they had windows unlocked. I saw that they were out of town for Christmas time and visiting I believe it was her sister. If they were away for any number of days, wouldn't they ensure things were locked up good and with the weather that was happening, I don't imagine they put the windows up recently. Tehre was snow/ice on the ground.

If she was having any recent issues with her ex, then wouldn't they also be extra careful due to that?

I am also not imagining they would pick a number code that her ex would be able to guess.

This is so sad because if he didn't gain access, then they could still be alive right now.

If Spencer and Monique were gone around Christmas-time, then if the ex was visiting friends or family in the area for the Christmas break from his work, then he would have had plenty of time to scope out the house and environment before they returned. Possibly he found a way to gain access while they were gone. We don't know if he was staying with his family or friends in Zanesville or elsewhere in the Columbus area since he had studied at Ohio State and lived there for many years. He also could have rented a hotel room for a week while on Christmas break.

 

[Charlot123]

View attachment 636314Does anyone else think it looks like he could have hypertrophy in his jaw due to anabolic steroid use, or a swollen (moon) face due to corticosteroid use? Or weight gain due to use of other medications? I’m wondering whether his mental state could have been altered due to presence of medications—his face looks so seriously different from his wedding photo from years ago, when hers looked largely the same.

No excuses for the perp—just looks to me like his facial features have been markedly altered and wonder if steroids (anabolic or cortisones) or antipsychotics could be a factor …

With Cushing syndrome, the

View attachment 636314Does anyone else think it looks like he could have hypertrophy in his jaw due to anabolic steroid use, or a swollen (moon) face due to corticosteroid use? Or weight gain due to use of other medications? I’m wondering whether his mental state could have been altered due to presence of medications—his face looks so seriously different from his wedding photo from years ago, when hers looked largely the same.

No excuses for the perp—just looks to me like his facial features have been markedly altered and wonder if steroids (anabolic or cortisones) or antipsychotics could be a factor …

With Cushing disease, the face looks different and the skin color, too.

With anabolic steroids, I don't know.

There is benign "idiopathic" hypertrophy of masseter muscle.

Or, hypertrophy of sialis glands that looks like "hamster face" that may be caused by drinking.

I would guess, nr. 3.

I mean, we know that he is a double killer, hence he looks creepy. But what if we didnt? Just a face like many others, tbh. It is the context that makes us creeped out.

 

[MesquiteO21]

wonder if he had been bothering her... or watching her marriage video every night

Her birthday was in October, per her obituary, and google search trends indicated their address spiked on November 1. Do we know how she spent that birthday or any social media posts she made?

moo

 

[ssarahbg]

My theory….the ex likely had narcissistic and controlling tendencies. Hence the 7 month marriage that she was very quick to end in the swiftest way possible. If this is true, he probably painted a very different picture of himself when she first met him. Once they were married, his true colors came out and she booked it out of there. Maybe he spun a story to coworkers/family after the divorce that she was the problem. Not too long after, she meets a nice man, has a family, and is living the picture perfect life on full display (the ultimate slap in the face to him). If this is true of the ex, he would see it as the ultimate ego blow and betrayal and no longer able to spin his web of lies to others around him that she is to blame for the downfall of their marriage. Likely, just a festering wound all these years continuing to focus his negative energy obsessing on this. Any additional non related mishaps in his life could have easily been what pushed him over the edge. Just my take.

 

[OhioGuy]

Wouldn’t picking the lock and opening the door trigger the alarm system? I’m not too familiar with how these systems work.

I’m not either. We’re about 200 pages deep on this thread so I might’ve missed it, is it confirmed they had a security system? In a former home of mine there was an ADT sign there so we just left it up, but didn’t actually have ADT. I know when I go over to check on pets of vacationing family I have to disarm their system, but I think when they’re in the house it’s not set.

However this guy got in, he did so quietly and relatively quickly without setting off alarms or leaving any obvious signs of disturbance.

 

[MesquiteO21]

I didn't think it would be the ex either.
jmo

For me, and I’m guessing a lot of people too, the ex didn’t make a lot of sense just given how long ago they divorced. Most people can’t imagine red hot feelings that lead to murder lasting that long. Insane. Hell of a midlife crisis.

moo

 

[MesquiteO21]

I’m not either. We’re about 200 pages deep on this thread so I might’ve missed it, is it confirmed they had a security system? In a former home of mine there was an ADT sign there so we just left it up, but didn’t actually have ADT. I know when I go over to check on pets of vacationing family I have to disarm their system, but I think when they’re in the house it’s not set.

However this guy got in, he did so quietly and relatively quickly without setting off alarms or leaving any obvious signs of disturbance.

There’s a local YouTuber (truth & transparency) that went to the house and she showed that there was a “simplisafe” sign in their yard, which is a home security company

moo

 

[BlaiseFinlay]

A practicing surgeon does not have the time to do an onsite surveillance on an Ex several states away. It would have to be online unless he spent the Christmas week in the area. But I wonder if he and Monique who were both OSU grads did not still have mutual friends in the area. Did they keep him updated about her life?. Was he visiting one of them?

I read somewhere that they had dated for a long time prior to the short marriage. If true.he must have seemed like a pretty normal guy. They broke up right as he started his residency in VA. It took her 3 years to remarry so it’s not like she left him for the current husband. And he may have broken HER heart.

He went on to do very well…in an intensive setting…where there isn’t much time to even sleep. You have rounds, you have Call,and all the pressures of mastering the program under supervision. You have to also study for Boards to get yr license and then look for a job.

Finally, you are the vascular surgeon you wanted to be. You are making real money. And you decide to go to Ohio and murder your Ex from 8 years ago.

This is so weird to me.

Disclaimer: None of this is offered as any sort of defense of him, and none of it is in any way criticism of her. And this is all speculation.

I can easily see a move to Virginia for residency being a catalyst for their relationship turning more abusive. You have the fact she’s his wife now, which could make him more possessive or controlling. You have him going through a very stressful and exhausting stage of his career. And you have her living in a new city, which would be difficult for anyone. She’d be even more lonely with him working resident hours, and it would be reasonable for her to go out to try and meet new friends. For a jealous, controlling, and abusive partner, I can easily see how those circumstances would create the perfect storm to bring out his worst.

Then she leaves, and you have the anger and resentment. He has all of his hopes and dreams for the future tied to her. Some men can take their role of provider very seriously, to the point that it’s their reason for working. So he might have thought he was doing all of this for her and their future family. Overnight he loses the person he loves (or highly values as a possession), he loses his companion, he loses the children he thought they would have (even if he gets another partner, *their* children are gone), and he loses his motivation for dealing with the grueling demands of being a resident. That’s a lot to lose. And he likely blames her for not only leaving, but also for everything she did that caused him to be angry during their short marriage. And it affects his pride and reputation among his friends, family, and colleagues. It’s embarrassing. That can certainly be the source for anger and resentment.

8 years later, you have a career, but you’ve had struggles over those 8 years, both professional it sounds like, and personal to the extent we know he wanted to be married and isn’t. He doesn’t have the wife and kids that he thought he was doing this for.

And as someone who herself is successful professionally but single, it’s not lost on me how often people express that finding love and having a family is the most important thing. That those who have found love and have a family are richer than anyone who hasn’t.

Meanwhile, the person who you feel ruined your life is now living “your” life with someone else. And you get to see this play out in front of your eyes, through social media posts. You now have all the jealousy from seeing “your” woman with another man. You have all the sadness from missing her. And you have all the anger from blaming her for ruining the life you should have had.

So while the initial emotions will be expected to have faded and gotten easier to live with over 8 years, for some they never go away. And in the meantime, your underlying circumstances are changing resulting in an unraveling of your prior ability to cope with those emotions (if the posts about him selling a condo for a 6 figure loss is true, that’s quite noteworthy). And over those years, you’ve lost some of the things you told yourself that helped you in those early years. “She’ll never find a man like me” or “She’ll be nothing without me” turned out to not be true, as you see her living a picture-perfect life with another doctor. And now you’ve lost the hope you’ve had for what your own post-divorce life would look like. A young, attractive doctor on the brink of a lucrative career could reasonably be quite optimistic.

Then while you’re already struggling with all that, you receive a notification from the court about a hearing in your divorce case. It brings you back to all the anger you had while going through it at the time. The filing turns out to be a mistake, but the damage has been done. That 8-year-old anger has been brought back to the surface.

So, the emotions are not inexplicable to me. But of course, the decision to murder is inexplicable.

Source: 1) Many conversations in my past with an abusive partner that gave me insight into how their mind works, and 2) my own challenges processing emotions from a breakup (with a different partner) that was over 4 years ago.

 

[OhioGuy]

There’s a local YouTuber (truth & transparency) that went to the house and she showed that there was a “simplisafe” sign in their yard, which is a home security company

moo

Right, but what we don’t know is if the system was functional. Sometimes the signs are just to give the illusion of security ala a fake camera. Also possible they only armed it to keep tabs when they were out of town vs having it set 24/7 and disarming it every time you let the dog out.

 

[Megnut]

Utterly reckless. He couldn't have known whether the littles might have been asleep between their parents.

Which tells me he didn't care who he killed so long as he killed M and her new husband. IMO he'd have killed anything or anyone in his way.

There should be extra charges for orphaning babies --

Just such an utterly unnecessary crime.

Can't help but notice he opted to spare his own life. God complex.


What he did, evil.

He IS the monster in the night.

JMO