Police in Columbus, Ohio, have released a chilling surveillance video showing a hooded individual walking near a family home during the hours a local dentist and his wife were brutally murdered inside.
Eerie Footage Places Suspect at Scene
The brief but unsettling footage, made public by the Columbus Police Department, captures a person dressed in light-coloured trousers and a dark hooded jacket. The figure is seen walking calmly, head down and hands in pockets, through a snow-covered alley in the dead of night.
Authorities confirmed the video was recorded between 2am and 5am on 30 December in an alley adjacent to the Weinland Park home of Spencer and Monique Tepe. Detectives believe the couple were shot to death upstairs in their residence within that same three-hour window.
The presence of this unidentified individual during the critical timeframe has now made them a central 'person of interest' in the investigation. Police are urgently appealing to the public for help in identifying the person or for any additional surveillance footage from the area.
A Tragic Discovery
The horrifying crime came to light later on the morning of 30 December after 37-year-old Spencer Tepe, a dentist, failed to arrive for work at his practice in Athens, Ohio. Colleagues, unable to reach him by phone, contacted the police.
Officers conducted an initial wellness check but left after receiving no answer at the door. Concerned friends and coworkers returned an hour later, immediately sensing something was wrong. One friend called 911 just before 10am, reporting he thought he heard a child yelling inside.
Upon entering, police discovered the bodies of both Spencer and Monique Tepe, aged 39. Preliminary reports indicate Spencer sustained multiple gunshot wounds, while Monique was shot at least once in the chest. Three 9mm shell casings were recovered at the scene.
Miraculously, the couple's two young children—a one-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl—were found unharmed, as was the family's Goldendoodle dog.
An Ongoing Mystery
The investigation has revealed few clear answers. Police confirmed there were no signs of forced entry at the family home, and no firearm was recovered. Authorities have also ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide.
The Franklin County Coroner's Office listed both deaths as 'apparent homicide by gunshot wounds,' stressing the investigation remains active. Detectives have not disclosed a motive or whether the killer was known to the victims.
In a heartfelt statement, the Tepe family described the couple as 'extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection.' Monique's brother, Rob Misleh, remembered them as proud parents who built a life 'rooted in love' and shared a deeply happy marriage filled with travel and laughter.
Spencer Tepe was a graduate of Ohio State University and a member of the American Dental Association. Monique, also an Ohio State alumna, was celebrated as a loving and patient mother. Their children are now in the care of relatives, and a GoFundMe campaign to support them has raised over $155,000.
Columbus Police have opened an anonymous digital portal for tips and continue to follow leads. 'Detectives are working diligently to solve this case,' the department stated, thanking the community for its assistance thus far.
