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

[ErinC]

Moo...working at dog kennels n dog daycare. Doodles do not make staff happy.. basically they are stupid n hyper. Please cut fur over eyes...cause they cannot see. They are really really friendly.. not a guard or protection dog. There are always exceptions of course....moo

There are absolutely exceptions, but this was also my experience with my SIL's now-deceased golden doodle. The dog was dumber than cement, and while there was a decent chance of its injuring an intruder by knocking the person down in an attempt to get pettins, it would then lead the intruder to the jewelry and electronics, happily wagging all the way. They are LOUD, which is really all you need to fend off the average burglar, but they're not so much for the protection gig. We currently own a guardian breed who would eat any prowler that broke in or die trying, but doodles just aren't for that. I'd almost prefer a standard poodle, which is very smart and more likely to know there's a problem. MOO OMO I have not personally owned a doodle.

 

[getthefax]

The 2-5 am time range doesn't necessarily represent the time of the attack. May just be LE attempting to confirm the comings and goings of people who have already been interviewed.

The Timeline of 2-5am may have been issued based on findings from the ME, regarding approximate TOD.

Not positive but that could be part of it.

EBM for typo

 

[acutename]

Rear door also appears to have a digital lock?

The Yale on front door has a key override. Unfortunately, no audit trails on that particular lock. You cannot pick this Yale lock with a wire because it’s motor driven. But still easy to gain access.

I believe that if the door was not opened by the victims, access would have been through the back door which may have been left unlocked. Or someone had an override key or an access code.

Who would have had keys to this property? Maintenance people, cleaners, furniture stagers, people they trusted such as family.

I am also concerned about the basement windows being a point of entry. A lot of people apparently leave them unlocked as they view them as a fire escape/ emergency exit, not an entry point.

wondered also about the basement window- most in urban areas I have seen have grates- they can attract people and because of the well, lots of time to toy with the window unobserved. wonder if ST was downstairs because something noisy was happening at that window. Still think that most burglars once seen, would take the opportunity to run, not continue in and shoot victims. IMO.

 

[getthefax]

Doors with key pads automatically lock behind you when they close. It would be easy for someone to exit a door with a key pad and have it be locked afterward.

BSBMFF

Mine does not. I must manually lock it.

Edited by me FF

 

[lg2019]

“A person who worked with Spencer Tepe called 911 on Tuesday morning after he didn’t show up to work. The caller said he could not get in contact with him or his wife.

“He’s been reliable, and we cannot get in touch with him, his wife, his family, anybody that lives in that house,” the caller said. “

Police request photos as investigation into death of dentist, wife continues

Monique Tepe was a “loving, patient, and joyful mother whose warmth defined her,” the family said.

www.newsnationnow.com

I find it odd that he said “anybody that lives in that house”.

Did they have someone living with them?

 

[Charlot123]

Imo was Dr. awakened to be beside his bed? I think he knew the person. Then the person had the gaul to seek out a sleeping wife in another bedroom. Sounds very personal to me. BTW Dr’s usually just call in pain meds. They don’t keep them in their homes. Remember nothing was touched in the home. I still think some nut had an obsession with the Dr.

My feeling is that the person had to take out the man, the strongest, the defender first. Then the killer killed the woman. I would not be so sure who the person was obsessed with but they knew who slept in what room.

 

[Speculaytor]

As a dental professional id like to end for once and for all any speculation that it is strange or unusual in any way for Dr Tepe's employer to react this quickly. Main clinical staff including doctors and hygenists simply do not miss work with no warning . It just doesnt happen. ( If it did youd be fired immediately!) Sure things happen, people get sick or stuck in traffic, but they always call and make other staff aware so patient care can be coordinated appropriately.

The combination of the doctor not showing up, being unreachable, having his housemate (wife) also unreachable, and knowing there are vulnerable children in the home would trigger a wellness check within an hour from any dental clinic ive been part of.

In fact, we called a wellness check for a coworker when she and her housemate were unreachable and she no call/ no showed to work. We were also starting to majorly worry and decided to make the call at about the 1 hour mark about carbon monoxide or something unforseen.

Anyone else who has worked in such a clinic is welcome to chime in. I cant imagine no immediate concern and call for a doctor who simply hasnt shown up and has no reachable emergency contacts. It would be stranger to me if no one had reacted immediately.

I hope this puts this suspicion to bed for people. It simply isnt an issue.

I think it is completely weird that people think it is weird that they were worried and called. My employer would be calling me within 5 minutes of being late, and begin calling my emergency list within 15- 30 minutes if I had not called in, or they had not heard from me.

Any professional who sees clients, or is responsible for other people, cannot just not show up for work. I couldn't believe the ignorance of the 911 dispatcher on that call. Maybe service workers, a hairdresser, a waitress, cashier, janitor etc could get away with not showing up, but to think a small office of professionals, who know each other well, would NOT be alarmed is the stranger thing to me.

 

[Ghostwheel]

“A person who worked with Spencer Tepe called 911 on Tuesday morning after he didn’t show up to work. The caller said he could not get in contact with him or his wife.

“He’s been reliable, and we cannot get in touch with him, his wife, his family, anybody that lives in that house,” the caller said. “

Police request photos as investigation into death of dentist, wife continues

Monique Tepe was a “loving, patient, and joyful mother whose warmth defined her,” the family said.

www.newsnationnow.com

I find it odd that he said “anybody that lives in that house”.

Did they have someone living with them?

A four year old can answer a phone, imo. At least I could at 4 years old. I would assume they just said that to point out that no one answered any phone. JMO, though.

 

[Fromeaster]

Another of my theories is that the dentist had a stalker, some former patient. A person with a mental disability. During the holidays, such people get even worse, especially since they are lonely and rejected. The date of the crime seems symbolic to me, I will take away the new year and their lives from them.

 

[Gemmie]

View attachment 634775

https://www.redfin.com/OH/Columbus/1411-N-4th-St-43201/home/75719986

Doors with key pads automatically lock behind you when they close.

SBMFF

Not all key pads will lock when they close. It depends on how you set it up which makes a whole lot sense. People should be able to set the default to what works best for them.

Locking with a smart keypad depends on the setup. Some lock automatically, while others need a button press. Some want your code again.

How to Lock Keypad Door | myQ

Discover Amazon Key for Garage. Get packages conveniently delivered inside your garage, real-time notifications and more with this myQ-Amazon collaboration.

www.myq.com

 

[Ghostwheel]

I think it is completely weird that people think it is weird that they were worried and called. My employer would be calling me within 5 minutes of being late, and begin calling my emergency list within 15- 30 minutes if I had not called in, or they had not heard from me.

Any professional who sees clients, or is responsible for other people, cannot just not show up for work. I couldn't believe the ignorance of the 911 dispatcher on that call. Maybe service workers, a hairdresser, a waitress, cashier, janitor etc could get away with not showing up, but to think a small office of professionals, who know each other well, would NOT be alarmed is the stranger thing to me.

Iin truth, we all have different experiences in life. My supervisor would also send out a check if I didn't show up. (in fact, that is how a person who commited suicide was found in our company). It depends on the rules of the company, how close people are at work, etc. Some places I have worked at were "Didn't show up? Fired." Others are like where I work now.

But weird to check on someone who always shows up and didn't show up? Not to me. But for those who don't understand, it's not uncommon, just may not be your experience. MOO, as always.

 

[Covert Operative]

I think it is completely weird that people think it is weird that they were worried and called. My employer would be calling me within 5 minutes of being late, and begin calling my emergency list within 15- 30 minutes if I had not called in, or they had not heard from me.

Any professional who sees clients, or is responsible for other people, cannot just not show up for work. I couldn't believe the ignorance of the 911 dispatcher on that call. Maybe service workers, a hairdresser, a waitress, cashier, janitor etc could get away with not showing up, but to think a small office of professionals, who know each other well, would NOT be alarmed is the stranger thing to me.

It may be that he always got there early also, so when he was later than normal it caused concern. There may have been patients in the chairs waiting.

 

[mom2tee]

I find it odd that he said “anybody that lives in that house”.

Did they have someone living with them?

That stuck out to me as well.

 

[Covert Operative]

Iin truth, we all have different experiences in life. My supervisor would also send out a check if I didn't show up. (in fact, that is how a person who commited suicide was found in our company). It depends on the rules of the company, how close people are at work, etc. Some places I have worked at were "Didn't show up? Fired." Others are like where I work now.

But weird to check on someone who always shows up and didn't show up? Not to me. But for those who don't understand, it's not uncommon, just may not be your experience. MOO, as always.

He may have gotten to work early everyday also, so being late did raise a flag.

 

[Ghostwheel]

Reminding everyone again
ModNote,

There is a continuing reference to a docket that belongs to divorce proceeding from Monique's previous husband. The previous husband is not a POI, so sleuthing on him is not allowed. Please refrain from referring to any court documents containing the previous husbands name/ address/anything related to his privacy unless they appear in an article relating to the case. At this time, there is nothing indicating anything regarding that divorce proceeding has anything to do with this case.

Thank you all very much for your consideration!

 

[warp3dwing]

View attachment 634775

https://www.redfin.com/OH/Columbus/1411-N-4th-St-43201/home/75719986

SBMFF

Not all key pads will lock when they close. It depends on how you set it up which makes a whole lot sense. People should be able to set the default to what works best for them.

Locking with a smart keypad depends on the setup. Some lock automatically, while others need a button press. Some want your code again.

How to Lock Keypad Door | myQ

Discover Amazon Key for Garage. Get packages conveniently delivered inside your garage, real-time notifications and more with this myQ-Amazon collaboration.

www.myq.com

I’ve been reading up on smart locks. I’m not sure which ones the Tepes had (maybe Yale Assure?), but it seems like the modern ones can connect to smart home systems, and can be unlocked via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Of course, for someone to remotely open the Tepes’ door, they’d need unfettered access to one of their Google accounts, or something similar. Unlikely, but possible if one of their accounts was compromised. Not likely to be a stranger, if so.

 

[Voidz]

I am a retired mental health professional with 40 years clinical experience. I thought the employer's tone in the initial 911 call and behavior of the staff were odd when someone in the clinic was late to work, even a punctual employee.

I have worked in clinics where staff was late and we didn't call the police right away with alarm in our voices and drive an hour and a half away to do a wellness check.

Add to this the family comments about the murders are targeted.

There may be a backstory we don't know about.

I think Su5ie raised the question and I had been thinking along the same lines. The question has to be asked and considered about a possible back story co-workers were aware of.

That’s a really good point - I didn’t take into account the travel time to conduct the welfare check.

Have we confirmed if the person made the call to the police regarding the body was a close friend who was nearby, or a work colleague?

 

[OhioGuy]

I think it is completely weird that people think it is weird that they were worried and called. My employer would be calling me within 5 minutes of being late, and begin calling my emergency list within 15- 30 minutes if I had not called in, or they had not heard from me.

Any professional who sees clients, or is responsible for other people, cannot just not show up for work. I couldn't believe the ignorance of the 911 dispatcher on that call. Maybe service workers, a hairdresser, a waitress, cashier, janitor etc could get away with not showing up, but to think a small office of professionals, who know each other well, would NOT be alarmed is the stranger thing to me.

Absolutely. Of course we all have different thresholds for what causes us to push the panic button, but in this scenario mine would be (all speculation of course)

805am: call/text “hey doc, you close?”
815: follow up as well as reach out to emergency contact. Since it’s a small practice, I wonder if they already had a personal relationship with the wife to the point where sending a “hey, Spencer isn’t in yet. Just checking in” text wouldn't be as drastic as, let’s say, calling some single guy’s mom because she’s his emergency contact

By the time the initial 911 call came in at 903, I figure they’ve been repeating the above every so often for an hour. If he was the aforementioned single guy living by himself, I’d be more inclined to write it off as no big deal and keep trying his phone every so often. Not being able to reach a second party that you know shares a home with this person raises the concern pretty significantly.

922 the cops report nothing suspicious during well check. By the time the 957 “we can hear kids inside” 911 call comes in, you’ve been trying to reach either of them for 90+ minutes unsuccessfully. It’s plausible that you’ve done the degrees of separation thing and person A contacted B who contacted C who lives locally and “even though the cops said it’s silent a couple minutes ago, I just got here and both their cars are here.” At that point, it’s code red panic.

 

[Bigditch]

As far as I know, no specific locations have been given. IMO the speculation that they were not in the same place comes from the friend only reporting seeing Spencer, and from the idea that the primary bedrooms were upstairs, and one would not be able to look into those windows unless one came prepared with a ladder or a drone. JMO, I own a two story ladder, but I wouldn't load it up just to go check on someone; I'm not going to break into their second floor if I can't get them to answer the door.

The houses do appear close enough to see in each other's windows.

 

[Voidz]

If only the dispatcher had done their job properly and not been rude as hell and dismissive to the callers - and determined there were babies in that house during these calls.