A nightmare unfolded in the peaceful Weinland Park neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, shattering the lives of a young family and leaving a community in shock. On December 30, 2025, beloved dentist Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, were discovered shot to death in their elegant $700,000 home on North Fourth Street. Their two small children—a 4-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son—were found unharmed but traumatized in another room, crying amid the horror that had invaded their safe haven. As police launch a massive manhunt for the fleeing suspect, questions swirl about motive, access, and how such evil could strike a couple described by everyone as kind, devoted, and utterly ordinary in the best way.
Spencer Tepe was the epitome of professional success and personal warmth. A proud alumnus of The Ohio State University, where he earned degrees in Spanish and biology before completing his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2017, Spencer built a thriving career at Athens Dental Depot. Fluent in Spanish, he connected deeply with diverse patients, often going out of his way to make them feel at ease. “He wasn’t just a dentist—he was a friend to so many,” says longtime patient Laura Jenkins. “Spencer remembered details about your life, your kids’ birthdays. He had this genuine smile that lit up the room.” Colleagues echo this sentiment, noting his dedication to underserved communities and his mentorship of younger staff.
Monique complemented him perfectly—a supportive partner and loving mother who poured her energy into family and home. Friends describe her as the quiet force behind their happiness, organizing playdates, volunteering at the children’s preschool, and creating a warm environment in their beautifully renovated four-bedroom house. “They were that couple you root for,” shares neighbor Tom Harlan. “Always waving hello, hosting summer barbecues, walking their dog together. Spencer and Monique seemed to have it all figured out.”
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The tragedy began to unravel on the morning of December 30 when a co-worker at Athens Dental Depot grew alarmed. Spencer, known for his punctuality, failed to show up for his shift and wasn’t answering calls—a red flag for someone so reliable. The concerned colleague contacted police around 9 a.m. Simultaneously, a neighbor reported hearing the children’s cries through shared walls and seeing no activity at the Tepe home. Officers arrived to a chilling scene: no forced entry, no signs of burglary, just the couple slain by gunfire. Spencer sustained multiple wounds, Monique at least one fatal shot to the chest. The murder weapon was gone, taken by the killer who vanished without a trace.
The lack of forced entry has become the case’s most haunting detail, suggesting the perpetrator was someone the Tepes trusted enough to let inside. “This wasn’t a random break-in,” emphasizes criminologist Dr. Sarah Lang from Ohio State University. “The killer knew the layout, perhaps the family’s routine. It’s personal—targeted.” Police have explicitly ruled out murder-suicide, classifying it as a double homicide and warning that the suspect remains armed and dangerous.
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abc6onyourside.com
Investigators are poring over potential evidence, including footage from a utility pole camera directly across the street—a relatively new installation in the revitalized Weinland Park area. Neighbors hope it captured the suspect’s arrival or departure: a vehicle, a silhouette, anything to break the impasse. Canvassing has yielded no eyewitnesses yet, but forensic teams comb the home for DNA, fingerprints, or digital clues. The children, now safe with relatives and receiving trauma counseling, are too young to provide detailed accounts, though authorities remain sensitive to their fragile state.
Weinland Park, once a struggling area in the 1990s, had transformed into a desirable family-friendly enclave with proximity to downtown Columbus, parks, and good schools. Residents like the Tepes were drawn to its charm and community spirit. But this brutal crime has reignited old fears. “We thought those days were behind us,” admits resident Carla Ruiz. “Now everyone’s installing more cameras, checking locks twice. It’s terrifying to think this happened next door.”
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Athens Dental Depot mourns dentist Spencer Tepe, wife, killed in …
In the wake of the murders, an outpouring of grief has enveloped the neighborhood. Makeshift memorials of roses, sunflowers, candles, and handwritten notes have grown outside the cordoned-off home, yellow police tape fluttering against tributes of love. Vigils draw hundreds, with tearful speeches remembering the couple’s generosity. A GoFundMe for the children’s future has surpassed $100,000, reflecting the widespread heartbreak. Athens Dental Depot closed temporarily, with staff releasing a statement: “Spencer was family to us. His loss, and Monique’s, is devastating. We stand with their children.”
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Social media buzzes with speculation under hashtags like #JusticeForTheTepes, ranging from theories about a disgruntled patient or business dispute to more sinister personal motives. Experts caution against amateur sleuthing, but the absence of arrests fuels frustration. “We need answers,” demands family friend Rachel Whelan. “Those kids deserve justice. Spencer and Monique deserve justice.”
This case echoes other targeted home invasions turned deadly, highlighting vulnerabilities even in “safe” suburbs. Rising violent crime statistics add urgency—FBI data shows suburban homicides up slightly in recent years, often tied to personal conflicts. Dr. Lang warns: “Trust is beautiful, but in today’s world, vigilance is essential. No forced entry means the door was opened willingly—perhaps to someone familiar.”
As the manhunt intensifies into January 2026, Columbus police urge tips to the Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers, promising anonymity. Mayor Andrew Ginther has vowed resources until resolution: “This coward will be caught.” For now, the Tepe children face a future without parents, supported by loving relatives determined to honor Spencer and Monique’s memory.
The story of Spencer and Monique Tepe is one of promise cut tragically short—a reminder that darkness can infiltrate the brightest lives. Their legacy of kindness endures, but the quest for truth burns fiercer. In Weinland Park, doors lock tighter, but hearts remain open to hope that justice will prevail.
