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.

 

[Caylee Advocate]

Exactly why women don't plan their wedding on the same day as the OSU/Mich game. I think this is one reason OSU decided to hold that game on the same date every year. So women in Columbus know when to plan their wedding and delivery dates.

Those games (OSU-XICHIGAN) are not played on same date, same day though.... the Saturday after Thanksgiving. IIRC there have been a couple of hiccups with that though. When they went to a 12 game schedule is when it began.

 

[Elisaa444]

Nancy Grace is reporting Monique was shot multiple times.
I'm trying to find the affidavit to read what she's referencing because I had not heard this, but I may have missed it bc I haven't had time to follow this case recently.

moo, moo

 

[ttjo]

Nancy Grace is reporting Monique was shot multiple times.
I'm trying to find the affidavit to read what she's referencing because I had not heard this, but I may have missed it bc I haven't had time to follow this case recently.

moo, moo

I saw that too, I dont know ? They said there were 3 shell casings found so? She also says he went into the house, but I dont know that to be true either. I think she was just saying “ he did not sit there for 3 hours in that empty backyard ( she was looking at old pics too,)” he went in the house. “

 

[academyrd]

Nancy Grace is reporting Monique was shot multiple times.
I'm trying to find the affidavit to read what she's referencing because I had not heard this, but I may have missed it bc I haven't had time to follow this case recently.

moo, moo

She’s just saying stuff. She has no idea

 

[ttjo]

She’s just saying stuff. She has no idea

Well if you look at the backyard pics from when it was built, its just a big empty square, so you can assume he didnt sit there for hours, but the yard has changed since then’
She said there is no gate , but i think there is.
She said the camera that captured it couldn’t see into the yard, and because no camera actually saw him go into the house thats why they’re only saying “ the yard “ but she thinks he did go in.
I posted a pic of the neighbour's house and circled a camera that points in the direction of the Tepe home,But was it working.? If it was it could have captured a lot. hard to tell if its too far fwd and only captures the side of the house. .
I wonder if they hid a key? And if he found it and went and got one cut.

 

[Cassie P]

Those games (OSU-XICHIGAN) are not played on same date, same day though.... the Saturday after Thanksgiving. IIRC there have been a couple of hiccups with that though. When they went to a 12 game schedule is when it began.

This is what I meant. Same day each year. Saturday after Thanksgiving. Everyone knows when the OSU/Michigan games takes place each year.

 

[Cassie P]

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.

But if she was trying not to worry her husband and family, going in this direction would have scared them? And if she just realized in early December that her ex was a problem, perhaps she thought she could get through the holidays and start taking action in Jan along the lines you suggest. Perhaps she did not want to be seen as freaking out over the holidays.

Women who are being abused and/or stalked try to stay low key, not upset others. Not worry their families. Women with young children want to protect them. Allow them to live a normal life. Not take away the magic of their first early years Christmas because of their own drama?

Also she could have not understood the real danger yet. Events were unfolding, perhaps she was still trying to figure it out and handle it on her own.

Yes of course. She knew she had to take the kids to various places, go to the store, shop, go out with husband and friend. She didn't have 24/7 security guards to protect her.

The measures you describe would have slowed down a killer but not stopped him in the long run. If he was determined to kill her, he would have done it one way or the other.

 

[Cassie P]

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.

Yes the killer seemed to think he could drive to Ohio, commit a double murder, then resume his life like nothing happened. He thought the license plates trickeryand leaving his phone behind would fool the police.

He was smart but an amateur. You can see this happen with amateur, first time criminals. They set up the crime based on books and movies they have seen. Using cheap tricks and gimmicks. Not based on how LE really works. Or how a professional or experienced killer would do the job.

 

[Cassie P]

Well if you look at the backyard pics from when it was built, its just a big empty square, so you can assume he didnt sit there for hours, but the yard has changed since then’
She said there is no gate , but i think there is.
She said the camera that captured it couldn’t see into the yard, and because no camera actually saw him go into the house thats why they’re only saying “ the yard “ but she thinks he did go in.
I posted a pic of the neighbour's house and circled a camera that points in the direction of the Tepe home,But was it working.? If it was it could have captured a lot. hard to tell if its too far fwd and only captures the side of the house. .
I wonder if they hid a key? And if he found it and went and got one cut.

Since they had been married and lived together, it is possible he would know where MT would hide and outdoor key.

 

[Cassie P]

Well if you look at the backyard pics from when it was built, its just a big empty square, so you can assume he didnt sit there for hours, but the yard has changed since then’
She said there is no gate , but i think there is.
She said the camera that captured it couldn’t see into the yard, and because no camera actually saw him go into the house thats why they’re only saying “ the yard “ but she thinks he did go in.
I posted a pic of the neighbour's house and circled a camera that points in the direction of the Tepe home,But was it working.? If it was it could have captured a lot. hard to tell if its too far fwd and only captures the side of the house. .
I wonder if they hid a key? And if he found it and went and got one cut.

I agree, high probability he didn't sit out in the yard for hours contemplating his navel.

He was there to lay the groundwork for the murder. He was gathering information, figuring entrance, exit, parking, etc.

Breaking a basement window, finding a key. Getting the layout of the house.

Perhaps planting surveillance equipment which stalkers love to do.

Leaving evidence for MT to find that only she would recognize and understand the meaning of. Playing mind games.

 

[nerosleuth]

I agree, high probability he didn't sit out in the yard for hours contemplating his navel.

He was there to lay the groundwork for the murder. He was gathering information, figuring entrance, exit, parking, etc.

Breaking a basement window, finding a key. Getting the layout of the house.

Perhaps planting surveillance equipment which stalkers love to do.

His actions screams prior calculation and design in his planning of committing premeditated murder.

 

[Gemmie]

She’s just saying stuff. She has no idea

I might add... As per usual.