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

[stmichael]

The bedroom door did have to be broken down. It was locked. That was the quickest way to get in at that time.

As for the back door to the house, I believe it has been posted, on this thread somewhere, that the back door was either ajar, or that someone had a code to get in. I have never seen that anywhere in MSM, so can't confirm it.

This is pure speculation. In carefully perusing all sources for this case I have not seen one official mention of the door being broken down or that any door was ajar. None. Please provide a link.

There was the 911 call where one of their friends said they can't get in and told the 911 operator they didn't know if they should break the door down etc. We have no idea if they did.

There is also the followup 911 call that states they see Spencer laying next to his bed in a pool of blood, but they can't get any closer to see more. We have no idea or no concrete source as to where they were or how they saw this. There's been speculation of a ladder, the friend having access to the house, etc. Nothing confirmed or cited at all.

These are genuinely curious and key components of this case that have not been confirmed yet or elaborated.

 

[flippyflappy]

You make great points! It also reminds me, many dental procedures like extractions, crowns and root canals are paid mostly up front, require insurance approval and involve more than one visit or are hours long. I'm also sure insurance requires things to be done in a certain manner/time period. Also, people fear the dentist, it's hard for patients to jump from dentist to dentist and I think insurance companies require the dentist who started the work on a claim to be the one who finishes it unless it's a referral? I'm really not sure, but at any rate, I can see why the people in the office were so concerned. Maybe it points to guilt but maybe not.

I've mentioned this before, but literally NOTHING else can happen is the dentist is not there. They can't even bill for cleaning teeth if he's not there as everything is billed under the dentist's license in most states. So not only were they waiting on his procedure patients, but the entire office couldn't function without him. Which is like thousands of dollars. I'm sure it was chaos between patients and staff as the inches ticked by. Patients probably angry about their wasted time and the staff panicking that they are all there to work and can't do so. They had to know immediately something as very wrong.

 

[alexwood]

This is pure speculation. In carefully perusing all sources for this case I have not seen one official mention of the door being broken down or that any door was ajar. None. Please provide a link.

There was the 911 call where one of their friends said they can't get in and told the 911 operator they didn't know if they should break the door down etc. We have no idea if they did.

There is also the followup 911 call that states they see Spencer laying next to his bed in a pool of blood, but they can't get any closer to see more. We have no idea or no concrete source as to where they were or how they saw this. There's been speculation of a ladder, the friend having access to the house, etc. Nothing confirmed or cited at all.

These are genuinely curious and key components of this case that have not been confirmed yet or elaborated.

This is true. We know very little.

 

[Mayor Perk]

After today's press conference, I'm not at all confident a quick arrest is coming anytime soon. I hope I'm wrong but I am starting to think this is a longtime vendetta or feud that maybe the Tepe's weren't even fully aware of. It's starting to remind me of Liz Barraza's murder.

 

[PGHJW]

A lot of people in various forums are latching on to the words from the police tonight as "they don't have anything!"

Honestly, that's a bunch of sick wishful thinking from folks who are following this for the wrong reasons. I don't have to describe those people.

Basically nothing has still been said and as we get deeper into this that only cements it to me more that there is a ton going on.

People will always look out for what they want, even if it's entertainment at the expense of finding justice for murder victims.

 

[stmichael]

Just getting rid of the gun would not change the rest of the forensic evidence pointing to how the crime was committed. So if someone tried to stage the crime to protect the Tepes only by removing the weapon, it would be easily discovered once forensic data came in.

If the police believe it is a M/S why ask the public for help, why release a POI video, etc.

This would people please listen to the many posts explaining this. M/S would be easily excluded even without a gun.

They would test victims for Gun Shot Residue. If either fired a weapon (and someone removed it later from the crime scene in this far-fetched scenario) they would have GSR on their hands.

They would get trajectory rods, a laser, etc and reconstruct where the shots entered and exited, what angle and approx. distance they were fired. Blood spatter and blood pooling. If they know that Spencer and Monique were both shot in bed (exit wounds and blood spatter into the mattress) and laying prone while shot how would that be a M/S??? They know all this. This is 1970s level basic crime scene forensics.

 

[ttjo]

And I think there are only 3 dentists in that office according to their website, one was on vacation and the other is MIA, that left one dentist . I can see the mayhem that might cause.

 

[Izzylizzy]

I agree with you.

I don’t think it was weird to call for a wellness check. They only asked for someone to check on them.

Several fam members of mine work in the dental field. They are extremely close. Recently, the dentist called me (I have never met or spoken with them) to check in on my fam member who was hospitalized. They had just spoken to the fam member the night before and knew they were going to be in the hospital. I did not see it as an overreach, they just work closely together. The person has only worked there one year and they already act like family. Without a doubt, if my family member had not show up to work, they would call me and/or send someone to check on her- even police.

Many states prohibit what dental hygienist and other staff can do unless a dentist is physically present. I do not know all of the laws of the state or how many dentists were present, but dental practices rely often on the entire team. It would be a noticeable disruption for a dentist to just no show.

I'm curious how much having patients waiting for ST by 9am and the rest of his day's schedule played into calling after an hour?
There's a lot of patient involvement with him not showing any if patients are in the process of dental implants then that can create another problem of timing.
Implants can be very involved taking quite a few visits.
IIRC: the owner was in Florida and there was one other dentist in the practice and was he scheduled to work that day?
imo

 

[ElizaKate]

Been watching for a couple of days. Personally I'm leaning towards this turning out to be an armed robbery gone wrong rather than someone known to S+M.

• Perp gains entry*
• Perp heads to master bedroom seeking a safe/valuables
• Spencer tries to protect Monique putting himself in between her and the perp.
• Stand off or attempt to disarm ensues and shots fired
• Spencer receives more shots than Monique due to his positioning rather than being the target of an pre planned killing
• Killer leaves without taking anything because a planned robbery has turned into a double murder, or the children are crying as they've been woken up by the noise which spooks perp.

The only piece that I'm querying is the fact the 911 caller only states seeing Spencer's body. But we only have access to a clip not the whole call. Quite possible the rest of it was too harrowing to release sadly.

*House was built in 2000 and there's a video on YouTube on someone opening their Yale door lock with a paper clip dated 2013. Quite possible the fitted lock system (present in the house listing photos) isn't as secure as one might think. This, in addition to other owners upthread reporting faults on their own electronic door locks.

Just a theory and MOO.

 

[Izzylizzy]

And I think there are only 3 dentists in that office according to their website, one was on vacation and the other is MIA, that left one dentist . I can see the mayhem that might cause.

LOl
I was right behind you in thought,

 

[PGHJW]

This is 1970s level basic crime scene forensics.

Unfortunately a lot of folks are more interested in 1970s NBC Sunday Night Mystery style theatrics.

 

[stmichael]

This is true. We know very little.

We know little about a lot of things, but we have a lot of framing information.

The factual incidents crime in the immediate area minutes away from this residence, including murders, recent burglaries, an 8 year old shot in the park down the street. etc.

No murder weapon, 3 spent 9mm casings at crime scene. No apparent forced entry. Not a M/S. That was confirmed by Police.

The investigating agency may be stumped, just as easily as they have a major piece of the puzzle they would not release to the public that of course would change everyone's take. This is why sleuthing such a case is very hit or miss.

 

[osu]

Interview with Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant (Video at link below)

New details continue to emerge in the murder investigation of Spencer and Monique Tepe.

The Columbus dentist and his wife were found shot to death on the second floor of their Weinland Park home more than a week ago. Police told ABC 6 that they have now received numerous tips connected to a person of interest seen near the home, but no arrests have been made.

ABC 6 managing editor, Rodney Dunigan, sat down with Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant for the first time since the murders. The case has drawn attention far beyond central Ohio, placing the investigation under a national spotlight.


Chief Bryant acknowledged that visibility can bring added pressure, but said it has not changed how detectives are handling the case.

“We know that there are a lot of concerns and a lot of questions surrounding this case.

 

[armchairagatha]

After today's press conference, I'm not at all confident a quick arrest is coming anytime soon. I hope I'm wrong but I am starting to think this is a longtime vendetta or feud that maybe the Tepe's weren't even fully aware of. It's starting to remind me of Liz Barraza's murder.

Link to press conference details please? Edit: see it above. The Police basically said nothing new of value other than saying case is complex and they are working through it and can’t share details so as to not jeopardize the investigation. That seems to indicate they are close but not quite at the finish line yet. Seems like they are trying to confirm the motive. What do others think?

 

[Mayor Perk]

Link to press conference details please?

Columbus officer called to perform welfare check at Tepe house originally went to the wrong address, police chief says

Chief Bryant spoke Thursday afternoon for the first time about the deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe.

www.10tv.com

 

[Eagles512]

I'm sorry but murder-suicide would mean that one of the two dead folks is the perpetrator, AND that one of their friends is being accused of stealing the weapon and concealing that fact. These are not particularly victim-friendly theories and it's out of line to suggest as much. The dead pair are victims, their friends are too. Can we refrain from blaming victims and their friends until police give us any reason to suspect literally any one of them??

I can’t believe people are still reaching for the murder suicide thing.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Interview with Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant (Video at link below)

New details continue to emerge in the murder investigation of Spencer and Monique Tepe.

The Columbus dentist and his wife were found shot to death on the second floor of their Weinland Park home more than a week ago. Police told ABC 6 that they have now received numerous tips connected to a person of interest seen near the home, but no arrests have been made.

ABC 6 managing editor, Rodney Dunigan, sat down with Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant for the first time since the murders. The case has drawn attention far beyond central Ohio, placing the investigation under a national spotlight.


Chief Bryant acknowledged that visibility can bring added pressure, but said it has not changed how detectives are handling the case.

“We know that there are a lot of concerns and a lot of questions surrounding this case.

Uninterrupted presser

 

[darring21]

They haven’t asked for help or released any new videos for the past few days. It may have taken a couple of days to get that initial forensic data.

He was shot twice and she was shot sideways through the chest according to the police dispatch audio. It's not murder/suicide.

 

[stmichael]

Interview with Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant (Video at link below)

New details continue to emerge in the murder investigation of Spencer and Monique Tepe.

The Columbus dentist and his wife were found shot to death on the second floor of their Weinland Park home more than a week ago. Police told ABC 6 that they have now received numerous tips connected to a person of interest seen near the home, but no arrests have been made.

ABC 6 managing editor, Rodney Dunigan, sat down with Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant for the first time since the murders. The case has drawn attention far beyond central Ohio, placing the investigation under a national spotlight.


Chief Bryant acknowledged that visibility can bring added pressure, but said it has not changed how detectives are handling the case.

“We know that there are a lot of concerns and a lot of questions surrounding this case.

"There is a lot of chatter on the internet...and much of what you read is just not factual"

- Assistant Chief Greg Bodker

 

[Pugsterpig]

i can see it (especially from a boss/owner prospective) being considered harmful patient abandonment if the appointment was for something rather serious. Doesn't matter if it was just this one time, if the person needed to be prescribed something, no one else in the office would've been able to write a prescription and it could be a big deal that would cause harm and/or significant trouble for the patient to then find an emergency dentist. Dentists don't do cleanings, so it's not like it was just an inconvenience for the patient missing a regular old cleaning that they would need to reschedule. I'm struggling to see how people can't understand that this would escalate concern and action, especially from the owner

it's also the no call + no show together plus not hearing from his emergency contact (wife). It's not like they were expecting him at 8 and they called 911 at 8:05. they hadn't heard ANYTHING by 9, a half hour after the appointment was supposed to start -- that's serious.

MOO

I have worked in a specialty dental office for 20+ years. If a clinical staff member or doctor failed to show up and we were not able to reach them/emergency contact/spouse, we would definitely ask for welfare check. It would be highly unusual for a doctor to blow off work, we have never had a provider just not show up.

Staff usually arrives well before patients are due. I think most offices have a ‘huddle’ before patients arrive to review the schedule. We discuss each patient, reviewing what they’re scheduled for, what we need for X-rays/CT scans, any health history changes, etc. If they had patients scheduled starting at 8:00, my guess is he would have arrived much earlier-so the timing of 911 call is appropriate.