A quiet Columbus, Ohio neighborhood became the scene of a heartbreaking discovery Tuesday morning. Dr. Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique, were found dead inside their home, just weeks shy of their fifth wedding anniversary.
The initial alarm was raised not by a frantic neighbor, but by a concerned employer. Dr. Mark Valrose, owner of Athens Dental Depot where Spencer worked, contacted police requesting a wellness check. Spencer’s uncharacteristic absence from work, coupled with the inability to reach either him or Monique, sparked immediate worry.
Valrose’s 911 call, placed at 9:03 a.m., detailed Spencer’s unwavering reliability. He was always punctual, always communicative – a sudden disappearance was profoundly out of character. The growing silence from the couple was, according to Valrose, “the more concerning thing.”
Police arrived at the Tepe residence just nineteen minutes later, but received no answer at the door. A preliminary check revealed a chilling reality. Inside, they found Spencer and Monique, both victims of apparent gunshot wounds.
Adding to the tragedy, two young children were present in the home, thankfully unharmed. The scene immediately launched a full investigation, with authorities actively seeking any information that could lead to a suspect.
A subsequent 911 call, this time from a friend who had gone to the house, painted a grim picture. The caller described finding Spencer’s body near the bed, lying in a pool of blood, and confirmed he showed no signs of life.
Investigators have ruled out a murder-suicide, and the absence of a recovered firearm at the scene deepens the mystery. There were also no indications of forced entry, suggesting the couple may have known their attacker.
The news has sent shockwaves through the dental practice where Spencer was a valued colleague. A statement described him and Monique as deeply missed, extending condolences to their families and loved ones.
The Tepe’s were eagerly anticipating a milestone – their fifth anniversary next month, a celebration planned after their wedding in 2021. Now, that future has been tragically stolen, leaving behind a family and community grappling with unimaginable loss.
Columbus police are urging anyone with information regarding this case to come forward, hoping to piece together the events that led to this devastating outcome and bring a sense of justice to a grieving family.
