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

[Janitor101]

I think we all tend to feel that it was no random. Question is, who of nonrandom people known to the Tepes could fly under the radar?

Well, I have a hunch it is a longtime friend of Spencer or possibly a member of his large, extended family. Someone who has had failed business ventures in the past and considered to be shady guy in their business dealings. Maybe he earns some ready cash on the side by doing home repairs, plumbing, flooring, and the like. Did Steve hire such a person to do some work inside the home and a huge disagreement over money ensued? Maybe kind-hearted Spencer had loaned this guy money in the past and the guy refused to pay up and their relationship ended on a very bad note.

I think Spencer would have given out the code to his house to someone he considered a friend or a family member. (or the spouse of a family member).

Just a theory. My other theory involves someone having an affair as they also might have had the code to the house.

 

[turaj]

My thinking is that the killer is someone that has been inside before and knows the layout of the home. It likely could have been someone that previously stayed overnight at that home.

i watched in indepth analysis last night STS and they were mentioning the april 911. call from distressed woman (not Mo) and how the Tepes often has parties. Some that were at that party remember that call from the woman. Were door codes shared from these parties or various workers? We honestly don't know that much about their day to day life.

 

[su5ie]

I don't think this was random...it was someone that knew how to get in the house with the code. This young couple despite having 2 children seem to have lots of adult parties that go into the night....codes might be given out for access. There was that 911 call from a distressed woman (not Mo) at 2something in the morning. Odd for a couple like the Tepes. I think it is someone that was not happy with one or. both of them that knew the home and code. I myself would not live in that area with children but don't think you will find that has anything to do with this crime. Also cannot rule out the previous dental clinic that he left. Seems lots of fraud with that clinic and who knows what all of that was about. Life is not as perfect

Maybe Spencer was due to be a witness at an upcoming hearing or trial ?

 

[Orso49]

I am haunted by the 911 call of the emotional woman who hung up before speaking to the operator. The operator called back and the conversation was disturbing. If her "man" was present, her answers would be guarded. When he asked if there was any physical activity, there was a long delay and the woman seemed to almost giggle nervously. She would be too frightened to admit to abuse if the man was there.

 

[Cassie P]

it just a lucky coincidence that the children were rescued that early or did the murderer plan it such that it would definitely happen and they would be rescued soon after the murders. The baby was just a year old and helpless in a crib. Would have become dehydrated and worse if the rescue didn't happen that day. MOO.

Good point. If the murder had occurred on Friday night, co-workers would not have contacted the police until Monday morning. Perhaps the family would not have realized something was remiss for a couple of days as well.

It does not bode well for such young children to be alone, unsupervised, no food or water for 48 hours.
So was the weekday murder timing coincidence or on purpose?

 

[turaj]

I am haunted by the 911 call of the emotional woman who hung up before speaking to the operator. The operator called back and the conversation was disturbing. If her "man" was present, her answers would be guarded. When he asked if there was any physical activity, there was a long delay and the woman seemed to almost giggle nervously. She would be too frightened to admit to abuse if the man was there.

that call is of great interest to me and I imagine LE. It was back in April but came from a party at the Tepe's home...that code was out there. I think it will turn out to be NO STRANGER but someone they know...family or friends.

 

[su5ie]

Good point. If the murder had occurred on Friday night, co-workers would not have contacted the police until Monday morning. Perhaps the family would not have realized something was remiss for a couple of days as well.

It does not bode well for such young children to be alone, unsupervised, no food or water for 48 hours.
So was the weekday murder timing coincidence or on purpose?

Somebody wanted them dead before the new year anyway that's for sure

 

[Ladyotm]

That makes sense. But in that case, why not just have that friend look them up to do the welfare check since they were able to reach them? Doesn't it seem excessive to also send the coworker's husband to look them up? The female coworker panicked - in addition to her boss already calling 911, and the friend/emergency contact driving over to check, she also sent her husband to check on them. Now, is there a specific reason she panicked? Did she have any information that told her that the Tepes were probably in danger and or dead? Beyond just the fact that he was late to work.

The coworker and her husband may be friends of the couple as well. Once she realized we can't contact EITHER of them, something is very wrong.

I haven't followed closely but am seeing posts about regular parties the couple had. Were they just really social or were these parties something else ( swinging, drugs, etc.)? Not passing judgement just wondering.

 

[Cryptic]

Well, I have a hunch it is a longtime friend of Spencer or possibly a member of his large, extended family. Someone who has had failed business ventures in the past and considered to be shady guy in their business dealings. Maybe he earns some ready cash on the side by doing home repairs, plumbing, flooring, and the like. Did Steve hire such a person to do some work inside the home and a huge disagreement over money ensued? Maybe kind-hearted Spencer had loaned this guy money in the past and the guy refused to pay up and their relationship ended on a very bad note.

I think this possibility is well described and very strong.

A local also pointed out that the Tepe home was on the "frontier" of the gentrifying parts of the neighborhood and that it, and the adjacent homes stand out in the immediate area.

Given the home's location on the "frontier" and standing out, I can distinctly see by the on again, off again, handy man with a shady past that you describe knocking on the door.

The home is new and does not need work. But..... Spencer then hires him to do upgrades that his wife wanted. Or, as a means of giving back in a rough area, Spencer generously hires him for some improvements that he does not even truly want.

My wife does what you describe on a small scale. She knows a man from high school, back when our 'burb was olde skool rough. The guy is non scamming, but drinks and has a personality that annoys me. Twice a year, my wife hires for $3-500 worth of stuff than I am too lazy to do. Explanation: He is from here. He is trying. Pay him.

 

[getthefax]

I listen to the podcast Police Off the Cuff which shares the perspective of a retired NYPD sergeant, and he scoffed at the notion of a “professional” hitman in general. Saying he never came across one in his whole career. In the context of the mafia and similar, their hit men get away with it just because they only kill each other. Just thought that was an interesting perspective. There are obviously cases of people being hired to kill someone, but like in the case of that professor who was murdered by someone hired, I think it was one or both’s first murder. And they made mistakes and got caught.

Personally, I think a hired hit is less likely in the case of a couple, especially with the children home.

I’d venture most folks who are hired to kill someone are not hired “professional hit men.” They are fringe people involved in other crimes who are willing to do a killing for money (not usually slick KGB or James Bond type folks, though a few of those happen worldwide every year).
It’s usually just someone who knows someone named, say, George, who will take care of someone for X amount of money, and they do this once or twice and eventually get caught because they just aren’t that slick, and money is the motivator. It is not very common, and LE usually unravels the motives behind the killings and reverse engineer who could have done the killings. These sorts of cases tend to be pretty messy, with a lot of people knowing a lot of info, IMO.

 

[Tillicum]

Or a flashlight. That would somewhat protect the killer’s night vision while also blinding the victims.

A simple head lamp would work. Under his hood, you wouldn't necessarily see it unless he looked up. Then he would have both hands free indoors. Just drop his hood and flip it on. Turn it off and pull his hood up before leaving.

 

[Cassie P]

A simple head lamp would work. Under his hood, you wouldn't necessarily see it unless he looked up. Then he would have both hands free indoors. Just drop his hood and flip it on. Turn it off and pull his hood up before leaving.

The killer would have been foolish to turn on lights in the house and alert neighbors. A flashlight might be seen as well perhaps.
But if the killer was using a flashlight or headlamp he could have easily picked up the bullet casings. Why didn't he do that.

 

[getthefax]

How would a killer inflict this kind of wound?

Maybe the shooter shot at ST first, and Monique was moving in front to try to stop it and got hit in the crossfire? Knowing the location and positioning of the victims would help illuminate the “how” a lot more.

 

[turaj]

The coworker and her husband may be friends of the couple as well. Once she realized we can't contact EITHER of them, something is very wrong.

I haven't followed closely but am seeing posts about regular parties the couple had. Were they just really social or were these parties something else ( swinging, drugs, etc.)? Not passing judgement just wondering.

Yes I have mentioned this topic. For example the April 911 call was on a Tues. night. That seems odd and assume they will be interviewing those at that party and heard the call. Not normal behavior.

 

[whitelilac]

I've been following, at least as much as I'm able to these days.
It's probably been mentioned, but my gut feeling is that this awful killing was as result of extreme jealousy and resentment, a little like Valente's motive in the Brown and MIT killings.

The Tepes were very social, and by all accounts friendly and kind, and a "perfect" family, attractive and successful. Do we know if they interacted at all with other residents in the neighborhood, particularly those who were not as well off and popular ? Since the neighborhood is in the process of gentrification, maybe someone who harbored bitterness and a grudge against this family, and who had a previous interaction with the Tepes, even being inside their home at some point. Or someone they know in their circle, who harbors a grudge that's been festering over time.

Don't ask me how he/she may have acquired the code to enter, someone who did some work in the house?

I don't believe this was a random break-in, for burglary or whatever. Not a stranger. Seems too targeted.
Also considering a stalker, as some others here have.

With LE not disclosing anything, being fairly silent, not asking for tips etc, I think they know more than appears. Hope so anyway.

 

[nerosleuth]

The Columbus Dispatch newspaper had two separate articles in this mornings newspaper.

The first article mentioned that a Columbus police officer went to the wrong address on the first well being check request visit. And there were no explanation as to how the blunder concerning the wrong address transpired.

The second article mentioned that the visitation at the funeral home for the murder victims would be open to the public. But the funeral home warned that the news media and those seeking to publicize the murders would not be welcome at the funeral home.

 

[Cassie P]

Maybe the shooter shot at ST first, and Monique was moving in front to try to stop it and got hit in the crossfire? Knowing the location and positioning of the victims would help illuminate the “how” a lot more.

Yes we do not have enough information to determine the specifics.
One victim frontal shot, the other sideways shot.

I think a woman's first instinct would be a self protective one unless it was her child being targeted.

 

[Deleted member 212413]

Yes I have mentioned this topic. For example the April 911 call was on a Tues. night. That seems odd and assume they will be interviewing those at that party and heard the call. Not normal behavior.

What that call made from a party though or from a solitary houseguest?

 

[december2019]

I’m a little confused why people keep bringing up the 911 call from April. The police dept confirmed it was not Monique nor did it come from the house, as did her brother in law, and many other people that say they knew Monique and that it didn’t sound anything like her.

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/crime/2026/01/08/tepe-homicide-columbus-ohio-dentist-911-call/88070793007/

The woman on the phone did not give any address, and location tracking isn’t 100% accurate. When the BIL was referring to the call saying it was from a friend at a party, he claimed it was from years ago and heard about it from his sister. I don’t think he actually knew what the specific call was at all and was just as confused as the public when it came out, but was trying to do his best to defend his family. I don’t think parties where people were consuming drugs or up until 4am were typical. Maybe when they first bought the house and before they had kids, but absolutely nothing points to that being their norm at all.

 

[getthefax]

To summarize: I think it’s odd to call the cops before checking the house

You have summarized here many times. And I really understand that is how you would approach this problem.

A thought for you: I share my location with a few friends and family. If my phone location showed me to be at home, and I was not responding to pings or calls or texts, and if had patients waiting on me at my practice e (where I arrive like clockwork every day), people would indeed call the cops first, and head over second—
This is because in this precise scenario, they would know I would be at home AND not responding, which is exactly the sort of case where my people should call police for a wellness check, especially if they are all far away. It’s the sort of scenario where a promptly arriving authority could dispatch emt/fire sooner and possibly save a life. I get it— in some cultures you basically never call the cops. That’s real. But if precious minutes could be ticking away, swift police response if someone may be in danger could save a life.

Have you considered that maybe their device locations were shared with a colleague or friend, who knew they were at home and not responding?

I’m aware your position is that you should always go first, before the police.
Is that true for you even if your family knows you’re there and non responsive? Would you want your daughter or family to find you in such a state?
I’d prefer the professionals arrive first, personally, to render aid or manage a scene (sorry, uniformed folks!)

Edited by me for clarity.