At a Glance
- Ohio police hunt the shooter who killed dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique in Columbus.
- Bodies found Tuesday after friends and coworkers reported the couple had not shown up to work.
- Case treated as homicide, no suspect named yet.
- Why it matters: Families mourn, investigation continues.
Ohio police are searching for the gunman who killed Columbus-area dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique earlier this week, leaving their two children orphaned and the community stunned. The bodies were discovered Tuesday morning after friends and coworkers reported that the couple had not shown up to work and were unreachable by phone.
The Investigation
Police received at least four calls starting around 9 a.m. on Dec. 30, including a call from the owner of Spencer’s dental practice who described him as never late for work. An unidentified male called 911 from outside the home, saying he could hear children inside but could not get in. At 10 a.m., Alex Ditty reported seeing a body inside before breaking down into sobs.
- 9 a.m. – Dental practice owner: Spencer always punctual.
- 9 a.m. – Unidentified caller: heard children, no entry.
- 10 a.m. – Alex Ditty: saw body, sobbing.
The Scene and Evidence
Three 9-millimeter casings were found inside the home, and the couple’s two children were safe in a different room from their parents’ bodies. The couple had married inside the house where they were killed, a month shy of their fifth wedding anniversary. Columbus police ruled out a murder-suicide and are treating the case as a homicide, with no suspect named.
| Time | Caller | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 a.m. | Dental practice owner | Described Spencer as punctual |
| 9 a.m. | Unidentified male | Heard children inside, no entry |
| 10 a.m. | Alex Ditty | Saw body, sobbing |
Alex Ditty stated:
> “There’s blood. He’s laying next to his bed, off of his bed, and there’s blood. I can’t get closer to see more than that.”
Dr. Mark Valrose said:
> “Spencer would be deeply missed by our team and the many patients he cared for over the years.”
Key Takeaways
- Ohio police are actively searching for the shooter who killed Spencer Tepe and Monique.
- The couple’s children were found safe in a different room from their parents’ bodies.
- The case is being treated as a homicide with no suspect identified yet.
The investigation continues as Ohio police work to identify the shooter and bring closure to the Tepe family.
