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

[STLSuperstar]

Where is the notion that the bedroom door was locked coming from?

I’m sorry. I got ahead of myself and didn’t look carefully at where I heard that. There is a Facebook post from a family member of a friend who was there stating this. Not reliable or official, I know. Apologies for that.

 

[wibbleflea]

RBBM
It hasn’t been officially confirmed that the bedroom door was locked.
Members were discussing the back door, and that turned into speculation about the bedroom door.

No media articles. Coworkers and friends have been saying it in other places – specifically the bedroom door, not the main doors to the building – but it hasn’t been reported officially or confirmed by LE.

 

[MassGuy]

About the casings: it would have been dark wouldnt it? People say a pro wouldn’t have left the casings behind , but would a pro plan for collecting shell casings all over the floor in the dark? I dont know how far casings travel .

They can travel up to several feet, and obviously bounce off objects in an enclosed area like that.

If someone experienced was committing this crime, they likely would have used a revolver, so they wouldn't have to worry about casings.

Nothing would have prevented him from turning the lights on, but if three casings were found it's pretty clear there was no effort made to collect them.

 

[gizmobtj]

About the casings: it would have been dark wouldnt it? People say a pro wouldn’t have left the casings behind , but would a pro plan for collecting shell casings all over the floor in the dark? I dont know how far casings travel.

Planning to pick up shell casings in the dark or even just in a bedroom seems unrealistic. It would be easier and wiser to use a ghost gun (unserialized and untraceable; put together by components bought separatel) or a clean gun (hasn't been used before in any easily traceable way) or a gun that didn't leave casings (i.e. a revolver).

 

[Arkay]

RBBM
It hasn’t been officially confirmed that the bedroom door was locked.
Members were discussing the back door, and that turned into speculation about the bedroom door but yeah, until we hear from official LE source it’s pure speculation.

IMHOO

Yes, thank you.

This is one of the alleged pieces of information that I found very confusing, along with the perception that another known adult, a friend of the family, may have been in the house and the 4-year old saw that person.

IMO if a four-year old saw a familiar person after the murders, she would have told her uncle or the police that “so and so was here.”
Or if she saw an unknown adult, she would’ve said “a big man was here” or something to that effect.

As of yet none of this has been confirmed by LE, at least not to my knowledge.

Same for the impression that the children were locked in the room. That would seem a bit too kindly for someone who was willing to slaughter the parents.

I’ve said my piece about why I applaud the co-workers for getting involved when it was so obligatory, I would think.

I’ll just add that, while I love my granddaughter with all my soul, she presently works in a supermarket. If she didn’t show up, as others have stated, I’m sure the boss would call and if she didn’t answer, the next one there would do her job.

The family would panic but to her boss she’s just another disposable kid, doing a job that doesn’t require much skill.

That IMO is the diametric opposite of the situation here.

A waiting room full of patients; some in pain, some getting a checkup, are not able to be treated if there are no dentists on the premises.

It’s not as though the receptionist can leap over the desk and start pulling teeth.

ALL respect for everyone who works, supermarket workers and receptionists and all honest work, but a missing dentist is a profession that cannot be done by someone without a degree, license and education in this field.

IMO

 

[osu]

Is there a map available, showing where the released video came from, in relation to the house?

It looks like the officer went to a house that was approx 2 blocks away from the Tepe home.

 

[fcavanaugh]

No media articles. Coworkers and friends have been saying it in other places – specifically the bedroom door, not the main doors to the building – but it hasn’t been reported officially or confirmed by LE.

RBBM
Oh ok I didn’t know that. We’re not allowed to discuss things said in other places here for which I’m glad. I’m not a participating member on any SM platforms. I do wade over to some of them every once in awhile just to read and get a good laugh. Some are worse than others, full of rumors, inaccuracies, people arguing back and forth, conspiracy theorists and a bunch of other garbage lol. Some YT channels are decent but imo few and far between. That’s why I mostly follow cases here on WS where discussion is civil, respectful and sources required if you state something as fact.

IMHOO

ETA-punctuation, fixed/added sentence

 

[Mitch1]

DBM

 

[ttjo]

I hope some cameras in the area captured sounds ( gunshots)
I know mine does.
So I hope anyone reviewing their cameras doesnt just look for motion.

 

[white rabbit]

trying to keep up here...does anyone else think it's bullshpit that an officer/911 operator mistook "fourteen-eleven" for "fourteen-seventeen"? because the body cam posted a few pages ago shows an officer showing up to "fourteen-seventeen". those two numbers don't sound nearly alike. regardless and to addition to the street osu just posted...

IMO the police chief is trying to dissuade the public from thinking they made a mistake. which is human for LE, and us. but in the case of a double murder, relevant...

anyway...there's still no doubt in my mind the door was locked and someone knew the code. period. they were shot by someone who was hired by a friend or family member. i'll stand by that (but as always, willing to eat crow).

 

[wibbleflea]

RBBM
Oh ok I didn’t know that. I’m not a participating member on any SM platforms. I do wade over to some of them every once in awhile just to read and get a good laugh.
Some are worse than others and full of rumors, inaccuracies, rude people arguing back and forth, and a bunch of other garbage lol. Some YT channels are decent but imo few and far between. That’s why I follow cases here on WS where discussion is civil, respectful and sources required if you state something as fact.

IMHOO

Agreed, in general. Definitely file this particular thing under ‘Unconfirmed’. Many cases now have information appearing on other social media early – some ends up being true and significant (think of the Reddit report by ‘John’ in the Brown shooting) and some doesn’t. For this case, a few people with first-hand knowledge are comfortable with social media. (Edited to add: not just RM, the brother-in-law.)

 

[Speculaytor]

I’m sorry. I got ahead of myself and didn’t look carefully at where I heard that. There is a Facebook post from a family member of a friend who was there stating this. Not reliable or official, I know. Apologies for that.

I am not sure it isn't reliable, but it's not official for sure. Often those comments found throughout threads turn out to be true. I sure wish we knew, that would be something to contemplate. How and why? Did the perp NOT want the kids to find/see them like that?

 

[warp3dwing]

I am not sure it isn't reliable, but it's not official for sure. Often those comments found throughout threads turn out to be true. I sure wish we knew, that would be something to contemplated. How and why? Did the perp NOT want the kids to find/see them like that?

It might not be emotional but merely logistical. A child who finds their parents dead may be more likely to attract unwanted attention - or call for help - earlier than if the child is kept ignorant of their plight.

 

[academyrd]

It’s a little strange the chief did a sit down interview instead of a press conference, while providing zero information. And she started that conversation by saying “all murders are important” — well yeah they are, but this is the only one in your city the whole country is paying attention to.

It just seems like she’s not meeting the moment or sensing the importance of this case.

 

[wibbleflea]

Nothing would have prevented him from turning the lights on, but if three casings were found it's pretty clear there was no effort made to collect them.

Turning the lights on would have revealed the full horror of the scene. Possibly significant for someone new to murder?

 

[Speculaytor]

Our #BestGuests are breaking down the latest Dec. 19 911 call — a neighbor reporting someone banging on a door days before Monique & Spencer Tepe were killed.

Who was that?
Why were they there?
Should the neighborhood be on alert?

https://twitter.com/x/status/2009456270562963529

NEW Timeline Details Plus Police Chief Goes on Record about Ohio Murder of Spencer & Monique Tepe​

I heard this was on the same street, 4th, as the Tepe's, and only 2 blocks away. Is that correct?? I don't want to watch all the videos as I know the story. THIS to me is HUGE. Same area, same time of night (2:30 am). If it is not connected, what a wild coincidence. If someone was banging on the door, and Monique heard it, or heard something, but didn't know exactly what she was hearing, she might have gone to investigate. She left Spencer sleeping as he wakes for work early. Did she go downstairs and run into burglar, or go check on kids and meet perp? Did she hear banging on door and actually open to see what they needed? I pray not. They were such nice people, it makes me wonder.

 

[Speculaytor]

It might not be emotional but merely logistical. A child who finds their parents dead may be more likely to attract unwanted attention - or call for help - earlier than if the child is kept ignorant of their plight.

True. I didn't think of that.

 

[Ms Scarlett]

Upon learning that the door to the bedroom was locked, it seems like the killer deliberately locked the door to keep the children from finding their parents in the morning. This fact alone makes me believe it was someone that knew the parents and the children. I also wouldn't be surprised if the killer did something that morning to try to ensure they would be

It’s a little strange the chief did a sit down interview instead of a press conference, while providing zero information. And she started that conversation by saying “all murders are important” — well yeah they are, but this is the only one in your city the whole country is paying attention to.

It just seems like she’s not meeting the moment or sensing the importance of this case.

I could be completely wrong, but when the chief said, “All murders are important,” I took it to mean that she didn’t want those affected by other murders that didn’t make national/international news to feel like getting justice for them isn’t as important as a high profile case. Just my opinion though. I know of 3 Columbus murders that occurred since the Tepe couple. I only know about them because I looked up Columbus homicides.

 

[Speculaytor]

I was wondering if some one saw a flat screen or a PC or some thing else of value through the house windows and thought "I'll just take it," but I still think that most random burglars who want to pawn something are not carrying a gun and killing the home owners and then not taking anything. Not a purse, not a wallet, not some electronic device. And I am not convinced that crime connected to street drugs involves picking locks- more like smash and grabs. IMO. Wonder if there was any sign of a confrontation.

I don't think they would even need to see in the windows to know that that occupied house would have some valuables. If they knew a couple lived there, and that he was a dentist, they would know that jewelry, stashed cash, watches, and possible medicine cabinet narcotics were there.

 

[Angelcat13]

I don't. Adding her name to the deed could trigger "a due on sale" clause in his mortgage with the lender. We don't know how that loan is structured. He probably has a very compelling mortgage rate and didn't want to jeopardize that. If they had an estate planner the house could have been left to her in his will. Doctor loans are very appealing because of the terms. All JMO

It also depends on the State law. For example, NJ is a “marital property” state so (using ST & MT as examples) if ST bought the property in his name only prior to be married, the property becomes “marital property” once ST & MT got married and MT spent even just ONE NIGHT in the property after being married. As long as there is no legal paperwork (i.e. a prenup) the property is owned jointly and equally by both husband and wife.

It is definitely important to know the laws in your state so that you don’t make critical mistakes related to home ownership, assets and debt. I knew someone who found out her husband was having an affair. They “agreed to work it out” and the wife said they needed a fresh start in a new home (he had brought his girlfriend to their marital bed on at least one occasion). They bought a brand new house and they spent that first night after Settlement in the new home together, then she served him with divorce papers the next day, had him move out and she got half of the value of the home in the divorce.