Police in Columbus, Ohio, are investigating the brutal double homicide of a local dentist and his wife, found shot dead in their home while their two young children slept unharmed. The case has taken a disturbing turn with the revelation of a frantic 911 call made from the property months earlier.
A Devastating Discovery in Weinland Park
Monique Tepe, 39, and Spencer Tepe, 37, were found violently slain inside their Weinland Park home on December 30. Columbus police have officially opened a double homicide investigation. Paramedics declared both dead at the scene, just one month before the couple would have celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary.
Authorities noted there were no obvious signs of forced entry, and no firearms were recovered. Spencer Tepe died from multiple gunshot wounds, while his wife Monique was shot at least once in the chest. Their children, a four-year-old girl and a one-year-old boy, were found unharmed alongside the family's goldendoodle dog.
Chilling 911 Call and a Frantic Morning
Dispatcher records obtained by Fox News reveal an unsettling call made from the Tepe residence in the early hours of April 15. An unidentified, emotional woman called 911 to report what was logged as a 'domestic dispute.' In the audio recording, she is heard crying and apologising, insisting police were no longer needed.
"Because me and my man got into it, but I'm OK, I promise," the woman told the dispatcher, denying the argument had turned physical before the call was cancelled. This call now forms a critical part of the investigation into the couple's deaths weeks later.
The tragedy unfolded on the morning of December 30. The first alert came from Spencer Tepe's employer, Mark Valrose of Athens Dental Depot, who called for a wellness check just before 9am. He expressed deep concern, stating the dentist was always punctual and it was "very out of character" for him not to show up or make contact.
Over the next hour, concerned coworkers and a friend went to the house. After police initially knocked and received no answer, a friend called back, insisting something was wrong and reporting he thought he heard a child yelling inside. The final, harrowing call came in at 10:03am. "Uh, there's a body, there's a body," a friend of Spencer's told the dispatcher, describing finding his friend lying in blood next to the bed.
Person of Interest and a Community in Mourning
Detectives believe the Tepes were killed between 2am and 5am on December 30. Columbus Police have now released footage of a person of interest captured on camera walking in an alley next to the family's home during that precise window. The video shows an individual in light-coloured trousers and a dark hooded jacket, head down and hands in pockets, walking calmly through the snow. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The couple are remembered as devoted parents who built a loving life together. Spencer, an Ohio State University graduate and member of the American Dental Association, was a loyal Buckeyes and Cincinnati Bengals fan. Monique, also an OSU alum with a background in education, was described as a "loving, patient, and joyful mother."
"They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others," the family said in a statement. Monique's brother, Rob Misleh, said the children are now in the care of relatives and are "young enough to not fully understand the gravity of this situation."
A GoFundMe campaign to support the children has raised over $171,000. Misleh, while grieving, emphasised the need for justice. "Nothing can ever bring them back, but getting the justice that Mo and Spencer so deserve... I think it would make not just our family, but a lot of people be able to feel a little bit safer," he said. The investigation continues.
