COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Nearly one week after Spencer and Monique Tepe were found shot to death inside their Weinland Park home, investigators have yet to identify a suspect or determine a motive, leaving their family, neighbors, and the community searching for answers.
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. The individual appears to be of male stature, wearing a dark hoodie, and walking with their head down.
Video of a person of interest walking in the alley near the Tepe’s residence. (Columbus Police)
The couple was discovered on Tuesday, December 30, after Dr. Spencer Tepe failed to show up for work at his Athens-based dental office. After calls by Spencer’s coworkers and friends, Spencer and Monique’s bodies were found inside their home just after 10 a.m. Their two young children, ages 4 and 1, were found unharmed and are now in the care of relatives, along with the family dog.
“This person didn’t just take two lives,” said Rob Misleh, Spencer Tepe’s brother-in-law. “They took a son and a daughter, a brother and a sister, an aunt and an uncle. They were two beautiful souls who were just wonderful parents.”
Misleh described the tragedy as nearly incomprehensible, saying the loss has permanently changed their family.
“Our entire lives are never going to be the same again,” he told ABC 6 on Monday. “The children are doing well. They’re young, so they’re not quite aware. They’re getting all the love and attention they possibly can at the moment. The support our family has received has been bigger than a village.”
The Tepes were just weeks away from celebrating their five-year wedding anniversary. Family members describe Monique as warm, charming, and strong, while Spencer was known as calm, steady, and kind.
As the investigation moves into its second week, Columbus police have released few details and have not provided on-camera updates since the morning they were on scene. Investigators continue to urge the public to come forward with any additional information or surveillance video.
Police are specifically asking for video, photographs, or digital evidence from the hours between 2 a.m. until 5 a.m. on December 30, focusing on a wide area surrounding the home, including Summit Street, North Grant Avenue, East 7th Avenue, and East 11th Avenue.
Authorities say there were no signs of forced entry, no weapons were recovered at the scene, and there were no signs of a robbery.
The lack of answers has raised questions with the heavy amount of surveillance cameras in the area. Columbus Police have crime cameras installed at the intersection of N. 4th St. and E. 8th Ave., almost directly across the street from the Tepe’s home.
“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.”
Outside the Tepes’ N. 4th St. home, friends have maintained a memorial with flowers and personal items that continue to grow every day.
A GoFundMe created to support the Tepes’ children has already raised more than $140,000 Monday evening, as funeral arrangements are currently underway, according to the Tepe family.
Despite the growing national attention, Misleh says the family is focused on allowing investigators the time they need.
“We’d rather have the investigation done right instead of fast,” he said. “We have full faith that investigators are looking at every angle before jumping to conclusions. This is not an episode of TV or a true crime podcast. This is a family. Hundreds and hundreds of people have been affected by this.”
If you have information that could lead to the identity of the person in this video, Columbus Police suggest calling 614-645-2228. Anonymous tips may also be made to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
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