Executive Summary
- Spencer and Monique Tepe were found fatally shot in their Weinland Park home on December 30.
- Two young children were discovered unharmed inside the residence.
- Police released video of a person of interest but have not named a suspect.
- Investigators found no signs of forced entry and ruled out murder-suicide.
Columbus police have released surveillance footage of a person of interest in connection with the double homicide of a local dentist and his wife. Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, were found fatally shot inside their Weinland Park home on December 30, initiating a high-profile investigation that has yet to yield a named suspect.
Authorities discovered the victims after Spencer Tepe failed to report for work, prompting concerned colleagues to request a welfare check. Upon entering the residence, officers found the couple deceased. According to police reports, the couple’s two young children were found physically unharmed inside the home.
Investigators have disclosed specific details regarding the crime scene to quell speculation. Police stated there were no signs of forced entry at the residence, and no firearm was recovered at the scene. Based on the preliminary evidence, detectives have publicly ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide.
On Monday, the Columbus Division of Police released video footage showing an individual walking near the Tepes’ home around the timeframe of the killings. While the individual has been labeled a “person of interest,” law enforcement officials have not yet identified a suspect or established a clear motive. A GoFundMe campaign established for the surviving children has raised nearly $200,000.
“We want to thank the community for the tips we have received,” the department stated in a release. “Detectives are working diligently to solve this case. We will continue to update you as the investigation progresses.” The Franklin County Coroner’s Office is currently finalizing autopsy reports.
Investigative Outlook
The release of surveillance footage identifying a person of interest indicates a strategic shift in the investigation, moving from on-scene forensic collection to public engagement for lead generation. The absence of forced entry, combined with the ruling out of murder-suicide, suggests a specific set of circumstances where the perpetrator may have been known to the victims or gained entry without resistance. As forensic pathology reports are pending, the immediate priority for law enforcement is identifying the individual in the video to close the gap in the timeline of the event. At this stage in the investigation, no formal charges have been filed against any individual.
