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

[Mitch1]

Im not 100% I checked and thats what it said on Zillow, but someone else checked somewhere else and it gave a sept date, either way it’s pretty close in time, which is why I wonder if he even got notice of it. Where would it have been sent? An address from 2017? or a current one?

And if one believes he was responsible for the big uptick in the Google trend of someone searching their address on Nov 1st, that’s only a few days after that last date in the court records we see

 

[nhmemorymaker]

There’s no way to know what, if any, “filter” she had set on said dating app. Being attracted to intelligent and hard-working men isn’t a crime, and dating professional men doesn’t make her a gold-digger <modsnip>. Even if that was her goal, she certainly wouldn’t be the first — and male doctors certainly don’t go out of their way to dissuade beautiful young women from giving them attention or using their “prestige” and wealth, or the possible promise of it, from getting dates.

<modsnip: Removed personalizing comments> The fact that their marriage ended relatively soon, she left “abruptly”, and MM, y’know, came back years later to murder her and her new husband, leads me to believe the opposite: once they were married, MM dropped the facade, she saw and experienced who he truly was, and got out.

Obsessing over an ex-wife for such an extended period of time and executing her in her own home is not an indicator of a stable individual who was merely prone to verbal arguments. MM seems like a classic abusive male who believes women should be grateful to be with him, and deserve to be punished for leaving.

I do hope more people from MMs different environments do start talking. I know we here on WS are possibly more curious than most.... but the state of mind of this man is obviously going to be strong discussion points during a trial.

I really feel so badly for his parents. I feel that they are going to have to be interviewed and studied by prosecution and defense.... just feels painful.

And there is this blatent comparison to the suspect in the Brown University/Boston professor killings.
He had been a brilliant man. And he too, had estranged himself from his parents, and stolen from them.
I wonder if there is some medical description for this condition, this dynamic. ??????

 

[Sheila Terranova]

I do hope more people from MMs different environments do start talking. I know we here on WS are possibly more curious than most.... but the state of mind of this man is obviously going to be strong discussion points during a trial.

I really feel so badly for his parents. I feel that they are going to have to be interviewed and studied by prosecution and defense.... just feels painful.

And there is this blatent comparison to the suspect in the Brown University/Boston professor killings.
He had been a brilliant man. And he too, had estranged himself from his parents, and stolen from them.
I wonder if there is some medical description for this condition, this dynamic. ??????

Primary Psychopath?

 

[Pipersand]

I joined Websleuths because I want to understand what happened, and why, and whether - or how - this madness could have been prevented. I am thankful for all of your contributions, particularly those that share their specialized knowledge, and/or do such incredible research! I want to know more facts about this apparent killer, these beautiful victims, and what might have led to this horror. All of your perspectives and suppositions are appreciated, but I am left still having more questions than answers in this case.

And I know this won't be popular, but I am wanting to understand more - particularly about MM - without completely demonizing him yet. I have seen so many people who experience severe mental health issues who stabilize and are devastated - truly devastated - by what they have done. Yes, I believe some physicians who survive their residency and fellowship embrace a god complex. Its gruelling, and afterward, their clique may be unhealthy. Yes, I believe an abusive partner can effectively conceal their abuse until they can't. Yes, I believe only a monster can commit such brutal murders with a cold, jealous heart. Yes, I am so sorry for the babies and love ones left behind.

But I'm not yet ready to say Monique fled an abusive relationship with MM, nor that MM is a narcissist with severe abandonment issues. I just don't know. The facts (and rumors) seem to support both concepts but both may be fundamentally incorrect. I just want to know more and to understand how this could occur, and how it could be prevented in the future.

Thank you all again for your valued thoughts - please know that I (as others) read every entry and appreciate everything you write!

 

[stmarysmead]

I joined Websleuths because I want to understand what happened, and why, and whether - or how - this madness could have been prevented. I am thankful for all of your contributions, particularly those that share their specialized knowledge, and/or do such incredible research! I want to know more facts about this apparent killer, these beautiful victims, and what might have led to this horror. All of your perspectives and suppositions are appreciated, but I am left still having more questions than answers in this case.

And I know this won't be popular, but I am wanting to understand more - particularly about MM - without completely demonizing him yet. I have seen so many people who experience severe mental health issues who stabilize and are devastated - truly devastated - by what they have done. Yes, I believe some physicians who survive their residency and fellowship embrace a god complex. Its gruelling, and afterward, their clique may be unhealthy. Yes, I believe an abusive partner can effectively conceal their abuse until they can't. Yes, I believe only a monster can commit such brutal murders with a cold, jealous heart. Yes, I am so sorry for the babies and love ones left behind.

But I'm not yet ready to say Monique fled an abusive relationship with MM, nor that MM is a narcissist with severe abandonment issues. I just don't know. The facts (and rumors) seem to support both concepts but both may be fundamentally incorrect. I just want to know more and to understand how this could occur, and how it could be prevented in the future.

Thank you all again for your valued thoughts - please know that I (as others) read every entry and appreciate everything you write!

I feel the same and thank you for posting this.

 

[Moonchime]

And oddly no one seems to consider that maybe Spencer picked her.

I've thought that Spencer must have told Monique that she had the most beautiful smile that he'd ever seen. Why couldn't they have had their Happily Ever After?

 

[ssarahbg]

Maybe something happened after he bought the new house. Some additional bad news which caused him to spiral out of control.

He probably delusional thought this would win her back and obviously it did not work. Like look now, I am surgeon and bought a nice home. Just speculating.

 

[academyrd]

I joined Websleuths because I want to understand what happened, and why, and whether - or how - this madness could have been prevented. I am thankful for all of your contributions, particularly those that share their specialized knowledge, and/or do such incredible research! I want to know more facts about this apparent killer, these beautiful victims, and what might have led to this horror. All of your perspectives and suppositions are appreciated, but I am left still having more questions than answers in this case.

And I know this won't be popular, but I am wanting to understand more - particularly about MM - without completely demonizing him yet. I have seen so many people who experience severe mental health issues who stabilize and are devastated - truly devastated - by what they have done. Yes, I believe some physicians who survive their residency and fellowship embrace a god complex. Its gruelling, and afterward, their clique may be unhealthy. Yes, I believe an abusive partner can effectively conceal their abuse until they can't. Yes, I believe only a monster can commit such brutal murders with a cold, jealous heart. Yes, I am so sorry for the babies and love ones left behind.

But I'm not yet ready to say Monique fled an abusive relationship with MM, nor that MM is a narcissist with severe abandonment issues. I just don't know. The facts (and rumors) seem to support both concepts but both may be fundamentally incorrect. I just want to know more and to understand how this could occur, and how it could be prevented in the future.

Thank you all again for your valued thoughts - please know that I (as others) read every entry and appreciate everything you write!

Guess what. It’s perfectly appropriate to demonize the person who committed the demonic act of going into someone else’s house and murdering them while they slept down the hall from their 2 young kids.

I mean, just think about what he actually did. He broke into a house, crept up the stairs and shot two innocent people to death in the middle of the night. He is a demon and deserves to be demonized. Too bad he won’t get the DP.

 

[Cassie P]

Was it the only file that had the clerical error or were there others? Like it was a software thing? If it was the only one, that would seem odd/coincidental.
We dont even know if he was notified of that, he seemed to be moving around , (malpractice server couldnt find him)
Besides, If it wasnt a software glitch I wouldnt want the person who made that error to feel like they had any part.

I don't know the real story, seems like there were several ideas about the files.

 

[ssarahbg]

Good point. If the charges were upgraded after the arrest, it seems reasonable to think that something was found at the home which was incriminating evidence meriting additional charges.

again, I believe there was some recording from the baby monitors. The newer ones have this ability and store it on the cloud. They are very sensitive to noises/movements,

 

[nerosleuth]

During the 6:00 PM newscast tonight on WSYX-TV in Columbus, WSYX is reporting that the process server for a lawyer in Nevada couldn't serve the Nevada lawsuit papers on MM.

It turns out that MM gave his employer in Nevada a fake address and the phone number MM gave them was a phone number for a fax machine.

The Nevada lawyer also said that he didn't know that MM had been arrested until he was contacted by WSYX-TV.

 

[Cassie P]

I do hope more people from MMs different environments do start talking. I know we here on WS are possibly more curious than most.... but the state of mind of this man is obviously going to be strong discussion points during a trial.

I really feel so badly for his parents. I feel that they are going to have to be interviewed and studied by prosecution and defense.... just feels painful.

And there is this blatent comparison to the suspect in the Brown University/Boston professor killings.
He had been a brilliant man. And he too, had estranged himself from his parents, and stolen from them.
I wonder if there is some medical description for this condition, this dynamic. ??????

We don't know the specific psych diagnoses at this point. We can make some guesses of course, but more information is needed. I think we can assume that the court will order a psych evaluation. This could involve a series of clinical interviews, psych testing, review of legal, health, psych, medical, employment, academic history. Childhood medical and behavioral; history.

Sometimes a review of police interviews with family, friends, employers etc. Crime scene evidence may be reviewed as well.

 

[Arkay]

During the 6:00 PM newscast tonight on WSYX-TV in Columbus, WSYX is reporting that the process server for a lawyer in Nevada couldn't serve the Nevada lawsuit papers on MM.

It turns out that MM gave his employer in Nevada a fake address and the phone number MM gave them was a phone number for a fax machine.

The Nevada lawyer also said that he didn't know that MM had been arrested until he was contacted by WSYX-TV.

Wow, that’s berserk.

He could have had such a good life.

Instead he messed himself up——malpractice suits, false info to employers, and ultimately murdering two innocent people and leaving two little ones as orphans.

Such a waste.

JMO

 

[PipeyRella]

During the 6:00 PM newscast tonight on WSYX-TV in Columbus, WSYX is reporting that the process server for a lawyer in Nevada couldn't serve the Nevada lawsuit papers on MM.

It turns out that MM gave his employer in Nevada a fake address and the phone number MM gave them was a phone number for a fax machine.

The Nevada lawyer also said that he didn't know that MM had been arrested until he was contacted by WSYX-TV.

Here's the court document explaining the events attempting to serve MM in further detail. I posted it many pages back but this thread moves so fast, things tend to get buried. That must must have been shocking for the lawyer (and likely the process server as well) to find this out.

 

[Sheila Terranova]

During the 6:00 PM newscast tonight on WSYX-TV in Columbus, WSYX is reporting that the process server for a lawyer in Nevada couldn't serve the Nevada lawsuit papers on MM.

It turns out that MM gave his employer in Nevada a fake address and the phone number MM gave them was a phone number for a fax machine.

The Nevada lawyer also said that he didn't know that MM had been arrested until he was contacted by WSYX-TV.

What is the Nevada connection please? He presently lives in Chicago but formerly lived and practiced in Vegas? And had two malpractice suits?

 

[PipeyRella]

What is the Nevada connection please? He presently lives in Chicago but formerly lived and practiced in Vegas? And had two malpractice suits?

yes, you're correct. Seems he bought a home in 2022 in Las Vegas and was practicing there, possibly until sometime in 2025. His Nevada license expired June 2025 and wasn't renewed. Sounds like there were at least 2 malpractice suits against him (which, after reading them, he was not at direct fault for either case but was a supervising surgeon or overseeing provider in some way for both cases). They were unable to serve him for the case as recently as October 2025 when he gave a false address and phone number. His colleague, also implicated in the malpractice suit, told the process serve MM just "disappeared". One of the cases is supposed to go to trial July 2027.

 

[Maat99]

It turns out that MM gave his employer in Nevada a fake address and the phone number MM gave them was a phone number for a fax machine.

This is bizarre. I can’t imagine why any professional much less a surgeon would behave this way. Plus as we all know, a quick google search can track him down pretty quickly. I read the overview of the malpractice lawsuit and it didn’t seem like a “try to disappear and escape justice” kind of situation. I would love to hear from his fellow physicians in his Nevada practice. Jmo.

 

[PipeyRella]

This is bizarre. I can’t imagine why any professional much less a surgeon would behave this way. Plus as we all know, a quick google search can track him down pretty quickly. I read the overview of the malpractice lawsuit and it didn’t seem like a “try to disappear and escape justice” kind of situation. I would love to hear from his fellow physicians in his Nevada practice. Jmo.

Completely agree. A malpractice suit is not the end of the world. It can be extremely stressful and time consuming but it won't end your career nor will it change your colleague's or patient's perception of you... especially in MM's case as he was not the direct provider. (Unverified/hearsay- people who have worked with him recently have said he was an amazing surgeon and enjoyed working with him even if he was quiet and kept to himself and didn't share anything about his personal life). JMO sounds more like this could have been close to the final straw for his underlying issues and resentment vs disappearing from justice.

 

[ssarahbg]

I know you didn't mean this to come across as victim-blaming, but I've seen this line of argument all over social media about Monique, and I don't see how it isn't (accidental, in your post...but intentional in many others) victim-blaming.

In my opinion at least, it's pretty obvious what happened. Monique met a guy in college who seemed charming and on a good track. She fell in love and married him, only for him to do what so many narcissistic personalities do as soon as they have their victims firmly within their grasps: move her away from her friends and family and turn controlling and violent once he has her isolated.

Once Monique finally escaped, she just so happened to meet an actual nice guy on a dating app. Why anyone would make the gigantic leap that she would filter based on "doctor" on dating apps is absolutely lost on me. That thought literally never even entered my mind, and I have a hard time seeing how it isn't rooted in some subconscious attempt to try and make Monique somehow responsible for what happened to her and Spencer. So she married a med school student and a dentist -- who cares? The accusations that she was somehow a clout/paycheck chaser or whatever are so, so weird to me.

My college roommate had an extremely similar situation to Monique, but luckily she was successful in getting away. She dated a guy (pre-med, ironically) in college who seemed nice and charming to everyone, but eventually showed his dark side to her. He let his mask slip once or twice in front of me, and I'm not lying when I say I'm still scared of him, all these years later. He isolated her and became abusive on a very similar timeline to MM and Monique. My roommate was one of the lucky ones who got away. But too many women end up like Monique instead.

Can we retire the "she married two doctors?!?!?!!?!?!??!???!" discussion and instead focus on how she did everything she could to get away from an abusive relationship, but, like so many women, sadly couldn't escape a man who set his sights on getting his revenge?

This is one of the most heartbreaking cases I've heard of, and I hate that Monique is somehow being portrayed in a negative light, no matter how well-intentioned. JMO

Many people struggle to understand how someone ends up like this. They are professionals at hiding their true selves to the outside world and are great chameleons. When the coercive control begins, it never starts with a bang. It is like the frog in the pot of water. Slowly the heat is turned up so the heat goes unnoticed until the frog is left trapped in a boiling pot. In the meantime, the frog is continuously told that the water isn't hot and it's all in their imagination.

This has always been the best way to describe how people end up in abusive relationships. its a slow process of tearing the person down while slowly turning up the heat until they have control where they want it.

 

[MesquiteO21]

With MM having no prior record, I’m sure he’s not acquainted with the Franklin County Jail which is known to be one of the roughest jails in the state with the most unpleasant living conditions. I can’t think of a better place for him.

Dang really? Is it up there with Rikers?

moo