> At a Glance
> – Spencer and Monique Tepe were found fatally shot in their Columbus, Ohio home on Dec. 30
> – Their daughter, 4, and son, 1, were inside the house but unharmed
> – Police are treating the deaths as a double homicide and have released footage of a person of interest
> – Why it matters: The couple’s young children are now in the care of relatives as investigators search for answers
A routine wellness check ended in tragedy when Spencer and Monique Tepe were discovered dead in their Columbus home, leaving their two toddlers under the care of extended family and prompting a homicide investigation.
How the Tepe Family Tragedy Unfolded
On Dec. 30, a colleague and a neighbor both called 911 after Spencer failed to show up for work and the neighbor heard children crying inside the residence. Officers entered the house and found the couple upstairs; Spencer, 37, had been shot multiple times and Monique, 39, had at least one gunshot wound to the chest. No firearms were recovered, so police classified the case as a double homicide.
Surveillance footage released on Jan. 5 shows a person of interest walking in an alley near the home between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., the estimated window of the killings. Investigators have not named a suspect.
The Children Left Behind
- Daughter: 4 years old
- Son: 1 year old
- Found unharmed elsewhere in the house
- Now cared for by immediate family members, including Spencer’s sister and brother-in-law
Relatives say the children were shielded from the crime scene and are unaware of what happened.
Community Rallies for the Tepe Children
A GoFundMe organized by cousin Audrey (Tepe) Mackie has raised over $150,000 toward a $200,000 goal, aiming to provide stability and care for the kids.
Rob Misleh, married to Spencer’s sister, described the couple as “amazing parents” who lived for their children:
> “They’re just amazing parents … their kids are beautiful. They did such a great job.”
He added that the family is committed to seeing the case brought to justice and to honoring Spencer and Monique by protecting their children’s future.
Key Takeaways
- The Columbus Division of Police is investigating the deaths as a double homicide, not a murder-suicide
- Two children, ages 4 and 1, are safe and being raised by family
- A person of interest was captured on video, but no suspect has been named
- A GoFundMe has surpassed $150,000 to support the children
As detectives continue their work, relatives and neighbors are focused on giving the Tepe children a loving, secure future while seeking justice for the parents they lost.
