Ohio couple killed weeks before 5th wedding anniversary in home where they married

The joy shared by Spencer and Monique Tepe on their wedding day in 2021 was captured in a family video that showed the newlyweds laughing, embracing, and exchanging vows inside their Columbus, Ohio home as friends and relatives cheered.

Just one month before their fifth wedding anniversary, that same home became the scene of a devastating crime.

Spencer Tepe, a 37 year old dentist, and his wife Monique, 39, a stay at home mother, were found shot dead on Tuesday inside their upscale residence, while their two young children were inside the house. The children, aged one and four, were found unharmed.

wedding anniversary in home

A growing memorial of roses and sunflowers now lines the outside of the property as shock ripples through the community and across the country, only days after Christmas. Police say the case is being investigated as a double homicide, not a murder suicide, and the person or people responsible remain at large.

Investigators have revealed few details so far. There were no obvious signs of forced entry and no firearm was recovered at the scene, according to local reporting. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Missed work raised alarm

Concern for the couple began early Tuesday morning when Spencer Tepe failed to arrive at work. According to colleagues at Athens Dental Depot, about 75 miles southeast of the family home, this was highly unusual.

Dr Mark Valrose, the owner of the practice, told police that Tepe was always punctual and reliable. When neither Spencer nor Monique could be reached, concern escalated quickly.

At around 8.58am, Valrose placed a 911 call requesting a welfare check, telling the dispatcher that Tepe would always call if there were a problem.

“We are very, very concerned,” he said. “This is very out of character for him.”

An officer arrived at the home at 9.22am but received no response at the door. About half an hour later, colleagues and a family friend also arrived and were unable to make contact.

At 9.56am, another 911 call was made after someone outside the house reported hearing children crying inside.

“I can hear kids inside, and I swear I think I heard one yell,” the caller said, adding that they were unsure whether to force entry.

Minutes later, another colleague reported that Tepe had been unreachable for three hours. At 10.03am, a visibly distressed friend called 911 and said there was a body inside the home.

Police soon confirmed that Spencer and Monique Tepe had been found dead. Their two children were located safely inside the residence.

What investigators are examining

Police have not issued any public warning about an ongoing threat to the wider community and have declined to say whether the couple may have been targeted. No suspect or motive has been disclosed.

The Franklin County Coroner’s Office said full autopsy results could take eight to ten weeks. A police incident report lists both deaths as homicides.

Investigators are expected to review forensic evidence, nearby security and traffic cameras, possible points of entry, and whether anything was taken from the home. There is a police camera positioned a few hundred feet from the property, though authorities have not confirmed whether it captured anything relevant.

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CNN senior national security analyst Juliette Kayyem said the lack of a recovered weapon and the fact that the children were unharmed make a murder suicide unlikely.

“This type of crime is exceptionally rare without signs of forced entry,” she said. Investigators are likely to look closely at people who may have known the couple or were familiar with their routines, while still considering the possibility of a random attack.

National data suggests such cases are uncommon, Kayyem added, but when they do occur, they often involve someone with some connection to the victims.

Remembering Spencer and Monique Tepe

In a statement, the Tepe family described the couple as sharing a “beautiful, strong and deeply happy relationship,” shaped by travel, laughter, and a shared commitment to building a life rooted in love.

“We are heartbroken beyond words,” the family said, adding that they are committed to seeing justice served and to protecting the future of the couple’s children, who are now in the care of relatives.

Athens Dental Depot announced it would remain closed for the rest of the week, describing the deaths as a sudden and painful loss.

“He will be deeply missed by our team and the many patients he cared for over the years,” the practice said.

Spencer Tepe was a graduate of Ohio State University, a member of the American Dental Association, and a devoted father and partner, according to his family. He was fluent in Spanish, an enthusiastic supporter of the Bengals and Buckeyes, and known for his generosity and energy.

Monique Tepe had a background in childhood education and was described as a loving, patient, and joyful mother who brought care and intention into everything she did.

Together, their family said, they were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and a deep connection to others.

As the investigation continues, many questions remain unanswered, and a grieving community waits for clarity and justice.