An Ohio dentist and his wife were brutally shot dead in their $700,000 home, while their two young children were found unharmed as police hunt for the suspect.
Monique Tepe, 39, and Spencer Tepe, 37, were found violently slain inside their Weinland Park home Tuesday morning, with authorities saying the deaths do not appear to be the result of a murder-suicide, according to WSYX News.
Police arriving at the scene discovered that Spencer had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while Monique had at least one to the chest.
The couple’s two young children, thankfully unharmed, were found crying inside the home, according to new records obtained by the outlet on Wednesday.
Paramedics declared both Monique and Spencer dead shortly after arriving, just one month before the pair would have celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary.
Officers with the Columbus Police Department found no obvious signs of forced entry or any firearm at the scene and are investigating the deaths as a double homicide.
A manhunt is now underway as authorities search for the gunman, who remains at large.
‘We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our colleague and friend, Dr. Spencer Tepe,’ Dr. Mark Valrose, owner of Athens Dental Depot where Spencer worked as a dentist, said in a statement, according to the outlet.
‘Our heartfelt condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,’ he added. ‘We appreciate the community’s thoughts and prayers.’
The grim discovery came after Dr. Valrose called 911 for a welfare check at the Tepes’ home on N. 4th Street just after 10am Tuesday, after Spencer failed to show up for his shift at the dental office, according to the incident report obtained by WSYX.
In the frantic call, Valrose explained that worry grew because Spencer had not contacted anyone about his absence and was known for his punctuality.
‘I’m on vacation, but this individual, Spencer, works with me, and he did not show up to work this morning. And we cannot get a hold of him or his family,’ the doctor told dispatchers, as reported by the outlet.
‘He’s been reliable, and we cannot get in touch with him, his wife, his family, anybody that lives in that house,’ he added.
However, police records reviewed by WSYX show that authorities were first alerted to the home at 9:03am and responded by 9:22am. When they received no answer, the Columbus deputy left the scene.
Several of Spencer’s coworkers then drove to the couple’s home and, just before 10am, called 911 after hearing children crying inside and getting no response at the door.
Minutes later, a third 911 call came from the same person, who frantically reported seeing Spencer’s body inside the Tepes’ home and noted that he appeared to be dead next to a bed.
‘There is a body inside,’ Spencer’s friend told dispatchers, according to the audio obtained by the outlet.
‘Our friend wasn’t answering his phone,’ they added. ‘We just did a wellness check. We just came here, and he appears dead.’
It wasn’t until Dr. Valrose called authorities shortly after 10am that police were dispatched again to the residence to conduct a welfare check on the Tepe family.
‘He is always on time and he would contact us if there was any issues,’ Valrose told 911 dispatchers, as reported by the outlet.
‘I don’t know how else to say this but we are very concerned. This is very out of character for him,’ he added. ‘We cant get in touch with his wife which is probably the more concerning thing.’
Police then found the couple with apparent gunshot wounds, while their two young children were unharmed inside the home where the Tepes exchanged their vows in 2021, Rob Misleh, Spencer’s brother-in-law, told ABC 6 News.
On Thursday, Dr. Valrose and the Dental Depot team announced on Facebook that the practice would remain closed for the rest of the week.
‘Spencer will be deeply missed by our team and the many patients he cared for over the years,’ the dental office wrote.
‘We ask for your continued patience, support and privacy as our team mourns these terrible losses,’ they added.
The investigation and search for the suspect is now being led by Detective Weiner, with assistance from Detective Miller.
Police are now urging anyone with information to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at (614) 645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).
