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

[Izzylizzy]

Was it? Or was it just to say something as people bother them while they're doing important work?

The Chief waited 8 days to say anything to the public.
That in itself had to cause great concern in the area and I say was a big mistake on her part.
There's a killer on the loose.

 

[Cassie P]

A perp with a gun can cause people to become very passive, and willing to follow directions. They would have asked for the jewelry, cash, medicine cabinet narcotics, with the gun, they wouldn't have ransacked. They had kids, they may have believed cooperation, give them everything they want and more, and they will leave. The reason I don't think this happened is the 911 caller who saw him by the bed. He first say's by the bed, but then clarifies and says off the bed. This stood out to me, and made me think there was evidence that he had fallen off the bed, I wasn't sure? This would not be the case if he had been up walking around the house getting valuables for the perp. I wish we knew where Monique was found.

Yes it does not look like a robbery where the home owners had to gather up the valuables. I keep hearing that the Tepes were shot in bed or close to it. I thought it had been said that ST was on one side of the bed perhaps on the floor. MT was on the other side. I think it was here on this forum who said MT was shot sideways in the chest or torso. I am not sure what that means. But yes it sounds like the couple was not walking around upright in the house.

 

[Cassie P]

Because it looks like the killer wasn't after material goods so that leaves the possibility of revenge.

Especially since the reports seem to indicate no signs of a robbery.

 

[ttjo]

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...

It was bound come out, too many questions about how the officer didnt see a body, confusing 911 calls, stating unlocked doors and 3 males inside,, upstairs, downstairs, …
Still, I took it more like, she is admitting there was a mistake ( accountability) but standing by her officer in saying “ he did what he was supposed to do , (despite the wrong address, I know) and it didnt affect the crime scene”
If she was dissuading anything it would be trying to dissuade people from dog piling on the officer

 

[white rabbit]

Why do you think it was a hired hitman?

I think it is a big risk to hire a hitman on the cheap. If he is apprehended, he can identify who hired him. The killer would have no loyalty for a $5K job?

And this kind of hired professional made a number of mistakes.

ha! finally i can quote/reply. ugh.

when i say hired hitman, i don't mean a pro (like you said). i mean a street someone knew who said "here's a gun, here's the address, don't touch the kids, i'll give you 5 grand". especially in cities these days, someone is literally desperate for money. to feed 'his' own kids, to buy drugs, booze, etc...

it's a HUGE risk to hire on the cheap. but then again, if it's just some neighborhood desperate for drug money with no drivers' licence, social media presence or digital footprint...perfect candidate, right? 'he' can just disappear into the night and pretend like it never happened.

so my question again...why? what friend or family member had a beef with one or both of them?

 

[Cassie P]

Was it? Or was it just to say something as people bother them while they're doing important work?

I guess I have a different view of things.

LE are public servants. Their salary and benefits are paid for by the hard working taxpayers of Ohio and the city of Columbus. Part of their job is communicating to the public about any possible threat to the community. A brutal killer is at large and we get not one word until now. And then it doesn't seem like LE cares about the case or the public.

Most local LE will give a press conference, even a brief one, when a case hits the national news. Here in Cbus, the only news we get about the case is on the national news.

This is why the mayor had to get on the air today and do clean up.

(People who didn't just have a brutal double homicide in their city, and have a killer on the loose are not likely to understand the sentiment here.)

 

[Cassie P]

ha! finally i can quote/reply. ugh.

when i say hired hitman, i don't mean a pro (like you said). i mean a street someone knew who said "here's a gun, here's the address, don't touch the kids, i'll give you 5 grand". especially in cities these days, someone is literally desperate for money. to feed 'his' own kids, to buy drugs, booze, etc...

it's a HUGE risk to hire on the cheap. but then again, if it's just some neighborhood desperate for drug money with no drivers' licence, social media presence or digital footprint...perfect candidate, right? 'he' can just disappear into the night and pretend like it never happened.

so my question again...why? what friend or family member had a beef with one or both of them?

Glad you can post again WR.
Yes I see your point. Hire someone cheap who can become invisible. It is still risky on a number of levels.
I am assuming the police are interviewing friends, neighbors, co-workers to determine who may have had a serious ax to grind regrading the Tepes. Perhaps related to the 911 calls.
I don't think either one was the target btw. I think both of them were the target?

 

[worm]

If the person in that video was in fact just somebody walking down the street then I'd expect them to have come forward by now.

 

[PGHJW]

I guess I have a different view of things.

LE are public servants. Their salary and benefits are paid for by the hard working taxpayers of Ohio and the city of Columbus. Part of their job is communicating to the public about any possible threat to the community. A brutal killer is at large and we get not one word until now. And then it doesn't seem like LE cares about the case or the public.

Most local LE will give a press conference, even a brief one, when a case hits the national news. Here in Cbus, the only news we get about the case is on the national news.

This is why the mayor had to get on the air today and do clean up.

(People who didn't just have a brutal double homicide in their city, and have a killer on the loose are not likely to understand the sentiment here.)

If it isn't explicitly said then there shouldn't be an overt worry. If the worry is there then the media needs to be pressed to ask this question.

The problem is that the anger here towards the police for not saying enough is because it doesn't fill the need of a lot of true crime buffs. Not all, but a lot. They want to be involved above and beyond simple discussion and when it doesn't come that causes anger. That's a problem. That's worse than victim blaming. That's making murder, the loss of human lives, a show.

With few exceptions most people can point to homicides that have happened in their area. It's just how things are. Random violence happens but this does not point to that at the moment. It's also just an unfortunate thing. This also doesn't point to a serial killer on a spree. Generally if one keeps their nose clean and out of trouble the violence will pass you by. Is that certain? No. Nothing in life is. I have two friends who live in Columbus. They are saddened but going on with their lives. It happens.

 

[academyrd]

So you definitely know that there's a killer on the loose? You know that for a fact? Someone who poses a threat to anyone who they come in contact with? You were there and witnessed this murder?

If there's a public threat, it would've been announced. Otherwise they owe zero to anyone but the family until there is an announcement to be made and/or assistance is needed. This isn't a public show for the entertainment of some buffs, it's murder.

They owe the public information. They are public servants. She used her time with the press to make a SJW comment about all murders being equally important. She or someone from the dept needs to face the press and answer questions.

 

[su5ie]

So you definitely know that there's a killer on the loose? You know that for a fact? Someone who poses a threat to anyone who they come in contact with? You were there and witnessed this murder?

If there's a public threat, it would've been announced. Otherwise they owe zero to anyone but the family until there is an announcement to be made and/or assistance is needed. This isn't a public show for the entertainment of some buffs, it's murder.

Usually the person in charge of an investigation will reassure a community where you may have elderly neighbours frightened

No one is insinuating there is a madman running around or hiding behind a tree waiting to pounce

But it simple logic to put out a statement letting the public know they aren't next

Bit of politeness on your part might help in gaining respectful interaction imo

 

[Speculaytor]

Columbus Oh has many educated, sucessful professional couples like this. Wealthier and more flashy. Why target the Tepes.

Because it was someone who knew them, or lived in their neighborhood. And I disagree that there are many as successful as Spencer (dentist), with a house like theirs in the Weiland Park neighborhood.

 

[ttjo]

Whistling no less.
Sounded like a pretty happy cop, then.

I was waiting for this to come out. I could be way off, but I thought about seeing a cop at your doror, maybe the whistling was to make it seem less intimidating?
IDK you’d have to ask a cop if thats strategy, minus the acapella version of “ I was made for loving you baby “ on the way there
(ok, maybe thats not funny)

 

[LurkingSleuther]

I was reading a comment that their wedding video was viewed 40 times 2 days before the murder but don’t know what the source is. Anyone know if that’s true or has credible information behind it?

 

[PGHJW]

Usually the person in charge of an investigation will reassure a community where you may have elderly neighbours frightened

No one is insinuating there is a madman running around or hiding behind a tree waiting to pounce

But it simple logic to put out a statement letting the public know they aren't next

Bit of politeness on your part might help in gaining respectful interaction imo

It isn't logical if, in some way, it interferes with the investigation. You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. Patience is a virtue.

 

[su5ie]

It was bound come out, too many questions about how the officer didnt see a body, confusing 911 calls, stating unlocked doors and 3 males inside,, upstairs, downstairs, …
Still, I took it more like, she is admitting there was a mistake ( accountability) but standing by her officer in saying “ he did what he was supposed to do , (despite the wrong address, I know) and it didnt affect the crime scene”
If she was dissuading anything it would be trying to dissuade people from dog piling on the officer

It may well have contaminated evidence such as fingerprints on door handles etc moo

 

[ttjo]

It may well have contaminated evidence such as fingerprints on door handles etc moo

I know, but if its someone they knew,finding a prior visit could make that weak also. Maybe DNA? The guy walking had his hands in his pockets ( if thats him) looked like he might have left his gloves at home.

 

[Bigditch]

So you definitely know that there's a killer on the loose? You know that for a fact? Someone who poses a threat to anyone who they come in contact with? You were there and witnessed this murder?

If there's a public threat, it would've been announced. Otherwise they owe zero to anyone but the family until there is an announcement to be made and/or assistance is needed. This isn't a public show for the entertainment of some buffs, it's murder.

Public safety is priority #1. We sleuthers are here because we care. We work as a team, not for the glory but for the public good.

 

[Cassie P]

Because it was someone who knew them, or lived in their neighborhood. And I disagree that there are many as successful as Spencer (dentist), with a house like theirs in the Weiland Park neighborhood.

Oh I thought you meant in the nearby area. There are upscale neighborhoods all around.

I don't think random stranger jealousy was the motive.

 

[su5ie]

It isn't logical if, in some way, it interferes with the investigation. You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. Patience is a virtue.

No one is denying that ,but it is a sluethers forum as I'm sure from your 11 years here you can attest it as so , therefore we work on the principles of having opinions on what is in msm and from drawing on patterns in previous high profile cases

The patience part is allowing officers to find the perp and get justice for these victims but the public relations in this case imo is lacking

Policing is a public service job and they have an obligation to the community to ensure they feel safe jmho