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

[TMich6811]

IMO he’s walking casually and if I saw someone walking on the side of the rd like him it wouldn’t trigger a something is wrong response. I don’t think we can infer anything about his mental health or what occurred, simply that they aren’t panic walking

Eta - not referencing pigeon toed or stance or anything just that he seems calm and collected

 

[Muddy K]

I definitely think it's a male based on build. My initial reaction was that he was in his 30's, but the way his hand makes contact with his hood strikes me as more youthful for some reason.

I can see it that way, too, @MassGuy, and honestly, I'm of no opinion whether this individual had anything to do with it. Contrasted with the sometimes mannered, posturing way the Brown University shooter appeared as he walked away from his murderous rampage, this person looks to have not a care in the world apart from the cold and ice.

 

[N S Sherlock]

I am related to a locksmith and asked him to assess the photos. The particular Yale lock on front door has no audit trails and they are very easy to bypass.

He believes that if someone broke in, access was made through balcony door.

So what you’re saying is since it wasn’t cat burglars it was ninjas right?

 

[N S Sherlock]

Tried to run from assailants?

Oh really? They were actually found in the basement in a bedroom down there wow that sheds a whole different aspect on this.

 

[calmdownjudy]

I am related to a locksmith and asked him to assess the photos. The particular Yale lock on front door has no audit trails and they are very easy to bypass.

He believes that if someone broke in, access was made through balcony door.

But wouldn't that show signs of forced entry?

 

[ElishiaMarie]

Just by the demeanor this person is familiar with the area, cameras etc. I’m getting a younger vibe 20-30’s. Seems targeted as well.

 

[MassGuy]

I can see it that way, too, @MassGuy, and honestly, I'm of no opinion whether this individual had anything to do with it. Contrasted with the sometimes mannered, posturing way the Brown University shooter appeared as he walked away from his murderous rampage, this person looks to have not a care in the world apart from the cold and ice.

Because they’re releasing it and calling this person a POI, I really doubt it it’s based simply on his location and time.

If that is the case, then we typically see police state they want to talk to this person about what they may have witnessed.

Although even then (generally)it is because they suspect them.

 

[Gigglingtoes]

omg thanks for letting me know, i wasn't aware!

I just watched the episode and she said your handle and gave you props. Kinda cool.

 

[OhioGuy]

We have our garage camera setup to record everything but have notifications turned off. I'm looking at footage from that time now and it appears that a lot of the people walking down the alley have a similar gait, which leads me to believe that it's potentially related to the snow/ice.

Makes sense. I wonder if somebody has a recording (similar to what you have on your home) of the front of the Tepe’s and they’ve been able to verify that access wasn’t that way. Ie we know the victims were safe at X time and we’ve seen everything from then all the way til the wellness check, and we know nobody entered through the front door or went around the left or right side of the house toward the fence

Since you live in the immediate area, do you find it unusual that anyone, POI or not, would be in the alley on foot between 2 and 5am? My thought is yes, especially given the time of year. If this was closer to High St I wouldn’t blink an eye, but over here there’s no bars you’re walking back from at that time.

 

[dotr]

Police release person of interest video in murders of Spencer and Monique Tepe

WSYX ABC 6 is On Your Side, providing local news, first warning weather forecasts and alerts, traffic updates, consumer advocacy, and the latest information about sports, politics, law enforcement, community events, government waste, and much more, including ABC network news and entertainment...

abc6onyourside.com

'On Monday evening, police released a video showing a person of interest walking in the alley near the Tepe’s residence. Investigators said the killings occurred sometime between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m. on the morning of December 30 in the upstairs of their residence'

“I’ve counted more than two dozen cameras nearby, not including police cameras across the street,” said Lana Oriani, a local resident closely following the case. “That’s what makes this so shocking.”

Jan 5, 2026
'The Columbus Division of Police release the following statement on Monday, Jan. 5etectives believe the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Tepe occurred sometime between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m. on the morning of December 30th in the upstairs of their residence. Recovered video footage shows a person of interest walking in the alley near the Tepe’s residence during that timeframe.'

 

[OhioSleuth614]

Makes sense. I wonder if somebody has a recording (similar to what you have on your home) of the front of the Tepe’s and they’ve been able to verify that access wasn’t that way. Ie we know the victims were safe at X time and we’ve seen everything from then all the way til the wellness check, and we know nobody entered through the front door or went around the left or right side of the house toward the fence

Since you live in the immediate area, do you find it unusual that anyone, POI or not, would be in the alley on foot between 2 and 5am? My thought is yes, especially given the time of year. If this was closer to High St I wouldn’t blink an eye, but over here there’s no bars you’re walking back from at that time.

I'm struggling to figure out where that video even came from. The area looks vaguely familiar but it does not look like it was recorded in the alley directly behind their home.

Editing because I hit enter too fast:

I do find it odd that people would be walking through the alley at that hour, especially in the winter. However, after going back and looking at my Ring footage from the past few weeks, it’s actually more common than I would have guessed. It’s also worth noting that a lot of homes and duplexes in this area don’t have garages but have rear parking, so many residents use the alley and back door as their main entrance.

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

facing the front of the house. The police officer managed

IMO he’s walking casually and if I saw someone walking on the side of the rd like him it wouldn’t trigger a something is wrong response. I don’t think we can infer anything about his mental health or what occurred, simply that they aren’t panic walking

Eta - not referencing pigeon toed or stance or anything just that he seems calm and collected

Agree.

 

[N S Sherlock]

Just by the demeanor this person is familiar with the area, cameras etc. I’m getting a younger vibe 20-30’s. Seems targeted as well.

I agree.

 

[Gators North]

Does this remind anyone of the “Walking Man” outside of the Shermans’ house or is it just me? MOO

 

[dotr]

Wondering if the alley was a mix of snow and sludge and if the POI was walking in wet footwear? speculation.

 

[OhioGuy]

I'm struggling to figure out where that video even came from. The area looks vaguely familiar but it does not look like it was recorded in the alley directly behind their home.

I also couldn’t tell. Even if we don’t get official confirmation which garage this video was taken from, some of these sharp TikTok people should be able to piece it together quickly. The trash and recycling cans usually have the address stamped on the front of them so if you could see that on the cans directly across the alley said (example) 1000 Summit St you could surmise that the garage is for 1001 N. 4th St since the alley runs between the east side of Summit and west side of 4th

 

[sunflowermomma]

I wonder if nearby neighbors were out of town for Christmas through the new year and the perp felt confident walking around.

 

[Bigditch]

Does this remind anyone of the “Walking Man” outside of the Shermans’ house or is it just me? MOO

OMG was thinking exact same.

 

[Gators North]

OMG was thinking exact same.

Wow! Great minds think alike lol! MOO

 

[sunflowermomma]

Was there a more recent street view than 2015? I can't see the houses on google maps.