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

[ttjo]

True, but wouldn't Spencer's family tell him to rein it in? It seems like everyone is more true crime savvy these days, it's just surprising he's not being careful

Maybe they don’t know what could potentially hurt the case? My mom ( sweetest woman) but she wouldn't have a clue , she would let me sing like a bird, putting everything out there. She’d say “you go get em… “
Lots of people aren’t aware, or so hurt they dont think of anything more, I think its the grief talking.

 

[kwins]

Does anyone else think it compromises the case (biasing potential jurors, etc.) for BIL to be sharing all this information pre-trial? Makes me think about that eye witness who saw OJ driving in his car after the murder being interviewed by a rag paper, and basically Marsha Clark removed her from the witness list. JMO

I hope Monique’s concerns were documented in writing or electronically, and those records are still available. Without that, any verbal discussions might be difficult to substantiate and be considered hearsay at this point. I can also see the defense asking why Monique never filed a police report or obtained a TPO.

If he indeed is the killer, I hope that he confesses after the preliminary hearing, to avoid an unnecessary and painful trial.

 

[faithx]

What does it mean when they said a preliminary link ?

My understanding is that NIBIN is the ballistic equivalent of the CODIS (DNA) and IAFIS/NGI (fingerprints) databases. NIBIN flags a preliminary match for ballistic evidence, such as fired cartridge casings. It has a high accuracy record. However, just like the aforementioned databases, a one-to-one definitive comparison still needs to be done to confirm the match.

NIBIN has been used in multiple high-profile cases in the past year, including connecting the 1991 Austin Yogurt Shop murders with the 1998 murder of Linda Rutledge (serial killer Robert Eugene Brashers was ultimately identified through DNA as the perpetrator in both cases). It also linked Ashlee Buzzard to the murder of her daughter Melodee Buzzard. Additionally, it identified the two different guns used in the Brown University/MIT professor shootings.

JMO

 

[kwins]

Has anyone seen anything official about what alibi he provided police?

I've been thinking about this too. I think he probably told CPD detectives that he was home in bed, lol, never thinking they would find his vehicle, let alone be able to associate it back to him.

If he is the killer, he screwed up on so many levels, to the point that I'm starting to think he wanted to get caught.

 

[su5ie]

I've been thinking about this too. I think he probably told CPD detectives that he was home in bed, lol, never thinking they would find his vehicle, let alone be able to associate it back to him.

If he is the killer, he screwed up on so many levels, to the point that I'm starting to think he wanted to get caught.

I think his alibi was his phone at the hospital where he worked ( allegedly and speculation)

 

[ttjo]

I think his alibi was his phone at the hospital where he worked ( allegedly and speculation)

I was wondering about what he worked during that time.

 

[knla]

Her memory and rejection of him must have haunted him badly. Both of her husbands look so happy with her in photos. He must have been too busy to realize that there are cameras all over now. On one YouTube video they mentioned that it was probable that he sexually assaulted her before or after he killed her, and that he probably shot the husband first for her to see.

 

[Knitpicker]

SBMFF

I don't think he could have done that easily since I believe he entered through the back, not the front. He was seen on video in the alley behind their house.

Do those houses have keypads on their back doors as well? If so, it wouldn't be a good idea to use the same code. Even if they did use the same code, since he came in through the back, and if he has used binoculars to get the code from the front, I'd think his first thought would be to enter through the front, not try the back to see if they used the same code back there.

Lastly, do those backyards have gates? I couldn't see one from the images in the wedding video. If not, then he had to either climb over a 6' tall fence, or get in through the garage which I don't see happening.

There obviously isn't one with the neighbor on the corner as there's some sort of shed or something on that side. Lastly, if the gate is on the other side of the garage, there's no path to it, which I'd think they'd have done since they have dirt/grass there. Like how they did leading from the patio to the garage. There's a paved path there. That makes me think there isn't a gate in those fences. JMO

View attachment 637417
View attachment 637418

My understanding is that you would park your car in the garage, go through the door from the garage and then enter the house from the back door. I have seen a few photos of the fence and I don’t believe there is a gate, and perhaps that thin strip of grass beyond the cement backyard is artificial - or you would have to mow your own grass bc a landscaper could not get in.
Edit.- the back fence. Perhaps there was a side one. Seems doubtful with hardly and grass /landscaping there,

 

[Gemmie]

My understanding is that you would park your car in the garage, go through the door from the garage and then enter the house from the back door. I have seen a few photos of the fence and I don’t believe there is a gate, and perhaps that thin strip of grass beyond the cement backyard is artificial - or you would have to mow your own grass bc a landscaper could not get in.
Edit.- the back fence. Perhaps there was a side one. Seems doubtful with hardly and grass /landscaping there,

There can't be a side gate because they would go into the backyards of their next door neighbors.

 

[ttjo]

There can't be a side gate because they would go into the backyards of their next door neighbors.

What about this ( link below) its the closest thing I could find to a gate. ( old post below, before we knew they went to the wrong address)
Post in thread 'ARREST MADE - EX-HUSBAND OH - Spencer and Monique Tepe found shot to death at home 2 children unharmed, Columbus, 30 December 2025'
ARREST MADE - EX-HUSBAND OH - Spencer and Monique Tepe found shot to death at home 2 children unharmed, Columbus, 30 December 2025

 

[Gemmie]

Is this a gate or no? What else could it be? its the only part of the fence that has hinges. How else would the police officer get to the back door ? (unless he jumped the fence?? Which I highly doubt)
It has to be a gate. ??
From https://www.redfin.com/OH/Columbus/1411-N-4th-St-43201/home/75719986

Whoop whoop!!! @ttjo to the rescue!!!

That's most definitely a gate. Very odd that the builders didn't build a path to it like they did to the garage door.

Thank you!

 

[ttjo]

Whoop whoop!!! @ttjo to the rescue!!!

That's most definitely a gate. Very odd that the builders didn't build a path to it like they did to the garage door.

Thank you!

Well not really, Im just nosey. lol
I was just thinking of easement purposes , meter readers, ( if they have that there) or emergencies how would you get out if there was a pwr failure or a fire. maybe not a standard bldg code to have a gate but you cant block access if there are easements.

 

[cujenn81]

What if it was about “ unfairness”. Or “ perceived unfairness”
I dont know what happened in his early life, but some of his adulthood events appear to have a common theme.
Allegedly estranged from family?
He didnt get over his divorce, we think that b/c the Tepes were his target’
2 malpractice suits that he was included on but perceives that as unfair or maybe even a nuisance, because he wasn't the one that did the harm.
All those tickets , easier to-pay than to fight, but b/c of demerits. His license is suspended
He made it all the way through med school, had to be disciplined, responsible etc, no doubt has an ego but maybe he perceives all these events as injustice/ unfairness . Enough of that builds , and it can create rage. It’s all holding him back in his eyes.
Theres lots of studies on the psychology of fairness, it sounds minor but it isn't..

There’s definitely a pattern of evasion here with his avoidance and lack of response to the lawsuits and by failing to pay traffic tickets or appear in court to attest them. Do we know when his driver’s license was suspended? I’ve half-wondered if he didn’t bother to deal with the lawsuits because he’d already decided he was going to murder Monique and Spencer and assumed he’d get caught, so he figured what’s the point.

Edited to correct typo.

 

[Seattle1]

Suspected murder weapon used in Ohio couple's slaying found in suspect's Chicago home

Police said Wednesday that the suspected murder weapon used in the slayings of an Ohio couple was found in the suspect's home in Chicago following his arrest over the weekend.

www.cbsnews.com

1/14/26

Police said Wednesday that the suspected murder weapon used in the slayings of an Ohio couple was found in the suspect's home in Chicago following his arrest over the weekend.

[...]

Columbus police said they found multiple weapons inside his condo in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago, including the gun they believe was used to kill the Tepes.

 

[kwins]

There can't be a side gate because they would go into the backyards of their next door neighbors.

I can't find a photo anymore, but I recall there was a gait on the right side of the house.

My understanding is that you would park your car in the garage, go through the door from the garage and then enter the house from the back door. I have seen a few photos of the fence and I don’t believe there is a gate, and perhaps that thin strip of grass beyond the cement backyard is artificial - or you would have to mow your own grass bc a landscaper could not get in.
Edit.- the back fence. Perhaps there was a side one. Seems doubtful with hardly and grass /landscaping there,

There is a gate, it's located on the right side of the house; however, the killer didn't need a gate to enter the backyard, because the fence has horizontal stringer rails between the posts on each side of the fence. Very easy for someone to climb. Especially someone athletic.

 

[kwins]

There’s definitely a pattern of evasion here with his avoidance and lack of response to the lawsuits and by failing to pay traffic tickets or appear in court to attest them. Do we know when his driver’s license was suspended? I’ve half-wondered if he didn’t bother to deal with the lawsuits because he’d already decided he was going to murder Monique and Spencer and assumed he’d get caught, so he figured what’s the point.

Edited to correct typo.

There is an interesting footnote on this order pg. 2 dated 2025-08-06

 

[ttjo]

There’s definitely a pattern of evasion here with his avoidance and lack of response to the lawsuits and by failing to pay traffic tickets or appear in court to attest them. Do we know when his driver’s license was suspended? I’ve half-wondered if didn’t bother to deal with the lawsuits because he’d already decided he was going to murder Monique and Spencer and assumed he’d get caught, so he figured what‘a the point.

Im not sure of the suspension dates, those 3 tickets were over a span of time ( I think 3 years and theyre old)
Not saying that the tickets were a catalyst, just more incidents /nuisance events. The point is he doesn’t seem to follow rules and consequences seem like a nuisance to him)
I’d post but I have to run out theyre the first 3 docs scroll till you see a bunch of PDF’s. theyre the ones in the pic, , it was in that comprehensive list that @arielilane posted yesterday.

Post in thread 'ARREST MADE - EX-HUSBAND OH - Spencer and Monique Tepe found shot to death at home 2 children unharmed, Columbus, 30 December 2025'

ARREST MADE - EX-HUSBAND OH - Spencer and Monique Tepe found shot to death at home 2 children unharmed, Columbus, 30 December 2025

 

[Gemmie]

There is an interesting footnote on this order pg. 2 dated 2025-08-06

What does "A suggestion of death was filed as to Dr. McKee. (ECF No. 121.)" mean?

I searched the doc for the word death and what I pasted above was the only instance of it the word.

 

[kwins]

What does "A suggestion of death was filed as to Dr. McKee. (ECF No. 121.)" mean?

I searched the doc for the word death and what I pasted above was the only instance of it the word.

The ECF No 121 just means it's the 121st entry on an electronic case file.

 

[gremlin444]

I think some of the confusion about where MM was recently living/where he was working/where his guns were may be due to some reporters using "Chicago" as if Rockford is just a Chicago suburb, ie oversimplification. Where I live, a few streets away from the actual Chicago boundary line, is a Chicago suburb--but Rockford is about 90 miles east of Chicago and a 90 minute drive(depending on time of day). So, I feel like there are more than a few reporters who are unfamiliar with Rockford/Illinois who assume it is just a suburb.

But some of the confusion also comes from him being arrested in Rockford, working at a medical practice/center/hospital in Rockford, but owning a fairly recently purchased condo in Chicago. Was he commuting daily with a round trip of 3 hours? Was he only coming in person to Rockford for surgeries a few days a week and handling other office business via Zoom from Chicago? Or did he rent an studio apartment out there where he stayed some of the time?

At this point so much of the reporting that is being done, even from Chicago outlets, is just basing itself off of the initial reporting (which was inaccurate in some ways), so it's hard to feel confident in the accuracy of location details in current articles.