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

[ChatteringBirds]

Is there a wish they had had an alarm system because somehow that would have prevented this?

I don't think that's fair, because it may easily not have prevented this, we don't know. And those systems can be annoying, giving false alarms, etc.
They are really a personal choice.

 

[Speculaytor]

Not gentrified at all. They put a few nice properties up in the middle of rough neighborhoods.

My brother lived on 9th ave, around the corner from there, a few years back. They moved because their house and cars got broken into dozens of times.

I keep thinking burglary gone bad, they got spooked and took off, but there is no evidence of this, or of anything really. They have shell casings, might they be able to determine the type of gun?

 

[MSU24]

Is there a wish they had had an alarm system because somehow that would have prevented this?

I don't think that's fair, because it may easily not have prevented this, we don't know. And those systems can be annoying, giving false alarms, etc.
They are really a personal choice.

Eh, knowing someone entered your home when you're asleep on the 3rd floor is better than not knowing, especially when you live in a neighborhood with break-ins happening too often. There is a home security sign in front of the house, but it's possible they didn't think the expense was worth it or forgot to turn it on.

 

[ttjo]

Is there a wish they had had an alarm system because somehow that would have prevented this?

I don't think that's fair, because it may easily not have prevented this, we don't know. And those systems can be annoying, giving false alarms, etc.
They are really a personal choice.

There is a sign on the front lawn that indicates a security company, but not sure if its being used.
Maybe they have those ring alerts on the windows, many people have that now. You get an alert sent to your phone, when its opened or breached somehow.

Were they found in the basement bedroom?
If so why were they there? Were they actually sleeping in that room? Just cause there was a bed doesn’t mean that they were,
could an alert have sent one of them down? And hearing gunshots sent the other one down?
The no sign of forced entry kind of throws that off.
I still don't think it was random but time will tell I hope.

 

[Kemug]

Another thing I've wondered about - it has been mentioned a couple of times about the neighbours not hearing anything. Just saying, but if I were the architect behind those 4 newish homes, all so close together, I believe I would have included double brick outer walls, and double glazed windows. Does anyone know if this was the case?

 

[Ghostwheel]

If this was addressed many pages ago, please let me know. Is it normal in that area to have to make 3 911 calls from people who are concerned about their boss/friend being AWOL? From what I have read, it's like LE knocked on the door and because the dead people didn't answer, they walked away.

So do you actually HAVE to see a deceased person or a person who looks like they are in severe trouble to get more than knock on the door and walk away in that area? Because that isn't the case where I live, so IMO it seems so odd that a welfare check doesn't actually check on anyone's welfare where they lived.

 

[Voidz]

Is there a wish they had had an alarm system because somehow that would have prevented this?

I don't think that's fair, because it may easily not have prevented this, we don't know. And those systems can be annoying, giving false alarms, etc.
They are really a personal choice.

An alarm system is a fantastic deterrent - if the alarm is blaring they are going to leave as fast as possible instead of stealing stuff or taking the time to shoot people in cold blood. Plus the alarm can activate a monitoring company to come and check the disturbance. In these situations, time is of the essence. A well maintained alarm system is important, that’s my 5 cents.

 

[MSU24]

I keep thinking burglary gone bad, they got spooked and took off, but there is no evidence of this, or of anything really. They have shell casings, might they be able to determine the type of gun?

Sure but if it was a well planned out targeted attack or hit, the gun is at the bottom of a random river or buried in a forest by now. I think they can get touch DNA off of shell casings though if the person didn't wear gloves while loading it.

 

[Speculaytor]

Is there a wish they had had an alarm system because somehow that would have prevented this?

I don't think that's fair, because it may easily not have prevented this, we don't know. And those systems can be annoying, giving false alarms, etc.
They are really a personal choice.

I would think in an area that has burglaries, you would have an alarm system, which would provide info if it had been armed, then disarmed to let someone in? It might indicate that they knew the person. Many people feel safe with just the ring cameras. I hope the street cameras were able to pick up something that they can release to the public for help.

 

[Kemug]

Sure but if it was a well planned out targeted attack or hit, the gun is at the bottom of a random river or buried in a forest by now. I think they can get touch DNA off of shell casings though if the person didn't wear gloves while loading it.

I watch too many crime shows, but isn't there something about bullet and casing marks (striations?) that can possibly be matched to previous shootings? Which can sometimes give a lead to the perp.

 

[MSU24]

If this was addressed many pages ago, please let me know. Is it normal in that area to have to make 3 911 calls from people who are concerned about their boss/friend being AWOL? From what I have read, it's like LE knocked on the door and because the dead people didn't answer, they walked away.

So do you actually HAVE to see a deceased person or a person who looks like they are in severe trouble to get more than knock on the door and walk away in that area? Because that isn't the case where I live, so IMO it seems so odd that a welfare check doesn't actually check on anyone's welfare where they lived.

They went to the front and back of the house. Both doors were locked and we think both victims were on the 3rd floor, so there's not much more they can do without a search warrant.

The more concerning thing is, how fast would getting a warrant be if they had heard the crying kids with no answer on top of the 911 calls for a wellness check? Did they hear the kids crying and if so, were they actually in the process of getting one when the friend called back and said he was going to break in or what?

 

[ttjo]

They went to the front and back of the house. Both doors were locked and we think both victims were on the 3rd floor, so there's not much more they can do without a search warrant.

The more concerning thing is, how fast would getting a warrant be if they had heard the crying kids with no answer on top of the 911 calls for a wellness check? Did they hear the kids crying and if so, were they actually in the process of getting one when the friend called back and said he was going to break in or what?

Ok so they were found on the 3rd floor? Does anyone know for sure?

 

[Kemug]

BTW, how is Tepe pronounced?

 

[MSU24]

Ok so they were found on the 3rd floor?

I don't think anyone knows with 100% certainty yet but if you listen to the 911 call, the friend says he's considering breaking in, dispatch said they're going to send police back to the house and he calls back shortly thereafter to say he can see a body on the floor. You can hear the children crying and I really don't think you would hear them on the phone if he was looking through a window on the 1st floor, outside of the house.

 

[Ghostwheel]

They went to the front and back of the house. Both doors were locked and we think both victims were on the 3rd floor, so there's not much more they can do without a search warrant.

The more concerning thing is, how fast would getting a warrant be if they had heard the crying kids with no answer on top of the 911 calls for a wellness check? Did they hear the kids crying and if so, were they actually in the process of getting one when the friend called back and said he was going to break in or what?

Well, that is interesting. Was that in one of the articles? Just say yes and I will go search. If both doors were locked then ingress and egress had to be elsewhere OR someone took the time to close and lock a door or close a self locking door when they left. AND there couldn't have been a broken or open window where LE could see it or no warrant would have been needed.

Can you break into a door and still be able to close and lock it on the way out, leaving no idication that LE could see when knocking on the doors? Could LE have missed a broken or open window?

The time of death will be important, IMO.

 

[MSU24]

Another day of no "we're looking to question this dark clothed individual" or "we're looking for this car, if you recognize it, please contact the police". With the amount of cameras around, there have to be images/video of a suspect and I really think if they needed the public's help, they would have put more information out by now.

 

[Knox]

I watch too many crime shows, but isn't there something about bullet and casing marks (striations?) that can possibly be matched to previous shootings? Which can sometimes give a lead to the perp.

Yes!!

National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), a national database in the US used by law enforcement to compare ballistic evidence from crime scenes.

I heard of NIBIN recently in another case, where they matched the bullets from another crime scene. Brain bubble, can't remember which one.

 

[ttjo]

strange, No sign of forced entry so I dont know if he ended up breaking in? He said he couldn’t get closer and he also said “ I can’t look” Police went to front and back door and saw nothing but maybe they didnt check the windows?
I didnt hear anyone mention anyrthing on the first 2 911 calls about them having 2 kids (babies essentially) that may have raised more of an alarm. ( for the first police officer that checked)

 

[MSU24]

Well, that is interesting. Was that in one of the articles? Just say yes and I will go search. If both doors were locked then ingress and egress had to be elsewhere OR someone took the time to close and lock a door or close a self locking door when they left. AND there couldn't have been a broken or open window where LE could see it or no warrant would have been needed.

Can you break into a door and still be able to close and lock it on the way out, leaving no idication that LE could see when knocking on the doors? Could LE have missed a broken or open window?

The time of death will be important, IMO.

Yes.

5:20 of the video I just linked about the police knocking on both doors. Right after, the friend says he's tried to get in and can't, and is considering breaking the door in.

No, breaking a door in basically means ripping it off the frame. Either the latch and/or hinges would be broken off the door frame.

 

[Speculaytor]

Stats 2025: Source: getsafeandsound.com

Peak Vulnerability Window: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM accounts for 65% of all residential break ins.

Research consistently shows that approximately 50% of burglars know their victims or live within proximity to targeted properties. Many burglars live within a two-mile radius of their targets.

Seasonal variations significantly impact burglary frequency. Summer months experience 10-15% higher rates.

The average break-in lasts just 8-12 minutes in total, with the actual entry phase completed in under 60 seconds.

• Front doors: 34% of all break-ins
• First-floor windows: 23% of incidents
• Back doors: 22% of entries
• Garage access: 9% of break-ins