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

[LifeIsAMystery]

It appears that Monique’s Facebook is already down.
Spencer is a dentist. Did Monique work? Perhaps they had a live-in sitter, or a general housemate. No signs of forced entry.

A social media post referred to her daughter attending “school” with the little girl, so probably daycare. Another mentions seeing Monique frequently when leaving for work at the same time.

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

Bit soon imo for a colleague to call police for a no show at work .

Was Spencer worried about something that he confided in the colleague which had alarmed the colleague to phone so quickly . Combined with brother saying he feels its a targeted attack ,tells me something was going on in the background previously

It would seem if he was shot 4 times ,the killer had some emotional ( rage ,anger ,grudge) connection to him . Could it be an attempted extortion or black mail that didn't result in monies being handed over etc

I feel monique was the casualty because she witnessed her husband being shot

Thank god for small mercy's and the kids lives were spared

I wonder were gunshots heard or was a silencer or muffler used , still noisy but less so

I think he was missing patient appointments and then neither could be reached. Bit different than a desk job where you would be getting to excels a bit later. Also he had a history of being punctual and communicating any issue re: arrival time. Jmooo. Looks like appointments started at 8 most days at the dental practice so call was when he was over an hour late and neither could be reached. They may have had a patient waiting for him and asking when he would arrive. Homepage

 

[Spectrix]

Bit soon imo for a colleague to call police for a no show at work .

Was Spencer worried about something that he confided in the colleague which had alarmed the colleague to phone so quickly . Combined with brother saying he feels its a targeted attack ,tells me something was going on in the background previously

It would seem if he was shot 4 times ,the killer had some emotional ( rage ,anger ,grudge) connection to him . Could it be an attempted extortion or black mail that didn't result in monies being handed over etc

I feel monique was the casualty because she witnessed her husband being shot

Thank god for small mercy's and the kids lives were spared

I wonder were gunshots heard or was a silencer or muffler used , still noisy but less so

There are three dentists that work at that dental clinic. The colleague dropping by Spencers home speaks volumes to me, not as being suspicious but that Spencer is reliable and dependable enough that if he doesn't show up for work or answer his phone, his colleagues know something is wrong and care enough to go and check on him and his kids.

I also think it's a targeted attack, just based on no reports of forced entry, or that the house was emptied of valuables like one would expect from a robbery.

 

[steeltowngirl]

Considering possible motives for a targeted attack.

Money/valuables - none taken? Might a dentist have drugs at home?
Revenge - disgruntled patient? Bad debt?
Threat - business deal in jeopardy, a crime might be exposed?
Jealousy - unknown, but seemingly happy couple
Power - acquaintance or rival feels inadequate?

 

[su5ie]

Considering possible motives for a targeted attack.

Money/valuables - none taken? Might a dentist have drugs at home?
Revenge - disgruntled patient? Bad debt?
Threat - business deal in jeopardy, a crime might be exposed?
Jealousy - unknown, but seemingly happy couple
Power - acquaintance or rival feels inadequate?

I feel going to someone's home is suggestive of personal history . No sign of forced entry. So did someone open the door to the assailant or where they already there in the home

From the quick action of the employee and brother saying his feelings are it was a targeted attack speaks to something going on that would result in the murder of this couple

Was the wife a stay at home mom or did she have a business of her own . The focus is on an assailant coming for Spencer but what if the target was monique?

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Another could be a random person who took offence thinking either of the couple looked at them "the wrong way"

Or road rage that escalated into them being followed home.

 

[su5ie]

Looking at the dental property, it would appear the practice would be in a location that would provide an easier way of killing the husband coming and going to work if he was the sole target and it was connected to his employment.

I wonder was the gun used registered to anyone in the home or with access to it

I would imagine LE will be investigating family as potential suspects and dental drugs as a possible motive

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

I feel going to someone's home is suggestive of personal history . No sign of forced entry. So did someone open the door to the assailant or where they already there in the home

From the quick action of the employee and brother saying his feelings are it was a targeted attack speaks to something going on that would result in the murder of this couple

Was the wife a stay at home mom or did she have a business of her own . The focus is on an assailant coming for Spencer but what if the target was monique?

The BIL’s social media post suggested nothing appearing to be missing (assume he means valuables still in home) thus not apparently a robbery, Jmooo.

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

Looking at the dental property, it would appear the practice would be in a location that would provide an easier way of killing the husband coming and going to work if he was the sole target and it was connected to his employment.

I wonder was the gun used registered to anyone in the home or with access to it

I would imagine LE will be investigating family as potential suspects and dental drugs as a possible motive

Agree. Hope their Ring camera will have useful footage.

 

[su5ie]

The BIL’s social media post suggested nothing appearing to be missing (assume he means valuables still in home) thus not apparently a robbery, Jmooo.

Yes no forced entry or monetary motive apparent as of yet , not killing kids suggests the assailant either knew they were sleeping and left them or someone who cared about the kids and didn't wish to hurt them physically

I do think the perp is someone known to them and someone Spencer was worried about

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

Yes no forced entry or monetary motive apparent as of yet , not killing kids suggests the assailant either knew they were sleeping and left them or someone who cared about the kids and didn't wish to hurt them physically

I do think the perp is someone known to them and someone Spencer was worried about

I think it’s possible the killer did not know there were kids present if they were on 2nd floor and murders were in basement.

 

[Lisbeth_S]

Regarding the lack of forced entry, as someone else noted earlier, they appeared to have an electronic lock on the front door.
Those can be a bit dodgy at times in my experience. I had a family member just a few days ago telling me how their electronic lock (a fairly new one) unlocks by itself and they find the door randomly cracked open without anyone having gone near it.
This is just to say they may not always be as secure as they seem.
On the other hand most of them also have an alarm that sounds quite loud if one even looks at them the wrong way.

Do we know a time of death yet?
It could be that someone simply knocked at the door with an excuse and made their way in under the threat of a firearm (unless they died in the middle of the night).

But they question as to motive remains...

 

[Bigditch]

The bedroom basement window in the backyard, fits what you're suggesting. It would be easy from that elevation to see directly into the room, IMO. Maybe they didn't have a window covering in order to let more light in the room.

View attachment 634281

View attachment 634282

Guest room?

 

[Bigditch]

I located the police camera on Google street view, and overlaid it onto a satellite image. It shows a tree on the sidewalk near the residence is likely blocking the camera view of the front door.
With any luck the assailant was stupid enough to park nearby or walk past the camera on their way to / from the crime scene.
I do apologise for my rudimentary MS paint style overlay

View attachment 634290

Very cool.

 

[Bigditch]

Considering possible motives for a targeted attack.

Money/valuables - none taken? Might a dentist have drugs at home?
Revenge - disgruntled patient? Bad debt?
Threat - business deal in jeopardy, a crime might be exposed?
Jealousy - unknown, but seemingly happy couple
Power - acquaintance or rival feels inadequate?

Might have a prescription pad at home.

 

[steeltowngirl]

It could be that someone simply knocked at the door with an excuse and made their way in under the threat of a firearm (unless they died in the middle of the night).

Good thought. There was a case of a home invasion where the assailants posed as UPS delivery drivers.

I’ve read a number of social media comments that describe the neighborhood as gentrified. Some comments seemed to have an edge of hostility about gentrification. Perhaps someone from the area had a grudge against the local ‘up and comers’, viewing them as privileged. Not a top theory for me, though.

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

Good thought. There was a case of a home invasion where the assailants posed as UPS delivery drivers.

I’ve read a number of social media comments that describe the neighborhood as gentrified. Some comments seemed to have an edge of hostility about gentrification. Perhaps someone from the area had a grudge against the local ‘up and comers’, viewing them as privileged. Not a top theory for me, though.

I could see a knock at the door but then how did they end up in the basement bedroom?

 

[Knox]

Looking at the homes on either side, they are so close together! No one heard 3-4 gunshots? Silencer?

There is an alley behind the home, I would say that’s likely how the killer accessed.

IMO this is going to be someone who knew them, not a random killing.

 

[maamager]

Media info

 

[maamager]

Looking at the homes on either side, they are so close together! No one heard 3-4 gunshots? Silencer?

There is an alley behind the home, I would say that’s likely how the killer accessed.

IMO this is going to be someone who knew them, not a random killing.

the police were all over the side streets and alleys! can confirm. i am still in the neighborhood and its slowed down but still some activity

eta: the police are looking for something — whether they know what that is or if they’re assuming best practices… idk and jmo