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

[Cassie P]

(sorry, I don't post often and not quite sure how quotes work)

This is so true. I had an ex-boyfriend decide to start contacting me 5 years after we broke up. We had not been in contact since then, and he just suddenly started sending threatening messages and leaving threatening voicemails. He sent pictures with a gun. It scared the **** out of me. But, I didn't block him and let them continue because I needed them for the proof to obtain a restraining order. I still have them all saved actually and this was a few years ago.

Luckily, they stopped and I haven't heard from him since. I moved last year, so hopefully he doesn't find me or ever do anything again, but this case just shows that I have no guarantee of that being the case. He could pop up at anytime in the future.

Excellent point. The woman needs proof of harassment to show to the police or a judge. So not always wise to block the messages.

 

[Justice101]

(sorry, I don't post often and not quite sure how quotes work)

This is so true. I had an ex-boyfriend decide to start contacting me 5 years after we broke up. We had not been in contact since then, and he just suddenly started sending threatening messages and leaving threatening voicemails. He sent pictures with a gun. It scared the **** out of me. But, I didn't block him and let them continue because I needed them for the proof to obtain a restraining order. I still have them all saved actually and this was a few years ago.

Luckily, they stopped and I haven't heard from him since. I moved last year, so hopefully he doesn't find me or ever do anything again, but this case just shows that I have no guarantee of that being the case. He could pop up at anytime in the future.

Speaking of a long time ago... I had an old girlfriend from when I was 19, contact me (thru email of all things) when I was 40 years old to tell me that she loved me even more and wanted us to get back together. Never mind that I had been happily married for 15 years since. I told her don't contact me ever again.

I immediately told my wife and she was mad as heck at the former girlfriend, but also appreciated that I had told her. The ex girlfriend's mother had had many psychiatric issue so that scared me a little that my ex GF had inherited some of that.

Point being.. sometimes people cannot let go.

 

[Puzzles8]

The obituary for Monique and Spencer, a nice biography and celebration of their life.

May they Rest In Peace

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/columbus-oh/spencer-and-monique-tepe-12689273

JMO

 

[acutename]

Even if she knew there was danger, yes what were her options? The police cannot save her from a man obsessed with hurting her. A restraining order does not mean anything if a killer is determined.

We can see MM was clever about skirting the law, covering up. So MT may not have had enough to go to the police. Even if she had evidence that he broke into her home, are the police going to extradite him from Illinois? How long will it take? Even if he is arrested he gets an attorney and is out on bail. Etc etc.

MT had a family to think of. Her husband had to get to work each day. One child going to preschool perhaps. Another child, an infant needing a high level of care. She cannot just uproot them and go into hiding and disrupt their routines. And where does she go anyway? Moving from hotel to hotel? Not a good long term solution. Stay with her family and put them in danger as well? Disrupt their lives too. Not a good long term solution either.

Even if she could convince her husband to move away, he would have to go through a credentialing process in another state. And they would be away from MT's family, her support system. And MM would find her anyway.

Also it was the holidays, a lot going on. She may have thought, let's just get through the holidays. Not hit the panic button, give everyone a nice Christmas. I will deal with this in January.

Perhaps she may not have realized that time was of the essence, her ex was dramatically out of control due to career setbacks and possible drug abuse. So perhaps she minimized it due to lack of good up to date information.

I am a retired mental health professional. I am trying to explain the typical thought processes of women who are being abused/stalked, etc. And how they do not have a lot of good options.

Another member of this forum who has been abused and stalked, put it very well. The victim must also go through mental gymnastics and a cost benefit ratio on every decision.

in hind sight: check and beef up the security system; get another dog; bars on the basement windows...but: she had to drive the kids around. She had to go about her life, and if MM was going to try to kill one or both of them, just better securing the house would not completely ensure their safety. I do wonder if she just recently found out he was working much closer to her. It occurs to me that he chose to sneak in at night and try to just continue his job and life- he did not drive cross country, confront them, hurt himself. He kind of had his obsession compartmentalized enough to try to hide everything.