911 Call Months Earlier, New Person-of-Interest Video Focus of Weinland Park Investigation after Columbus Ohio Dentist Murders
A Columbus family is grieving after dentists Spencer Tepe, 37, and wife Monique Tepe, 39, were found shot to death in their Weinland Park home on Dec. 30, 2025; their two young children were unharmed.
- Double homicide: Spencer and Monique Tepe were found with apparent gunshot wounds; the couple’s children, ages 4 and 1, were left unharmed.
- Earlier 911 call: A domestic dispute call from the residence was placed and later canceled on April 15, 2025, now being reviewed by investigators (Fox News).
- Person of interest: Police released surveillance of a figure in an alley near the home during the likely time of the slaying; the clip is in the police release (police video).
- Investigation ongoing: No arrests, no weapon recovered, and investigators say there were no obvious signs of forced entry; detectives are asking the public for tips (6abc).
The 911 call and what dispatch logs show
On April 15, 2025, at about 2:45 a.m., dispatchers received a call from the Tepe residence. A woman on the line said only that she was in a “domestic dispute” and cried, saying, “me and my man got into it,” according to public records cited by Fox News. The caller hung up, later called back and ultimately canceled the police response.
Police records do not identify the caller by name, and officials have declined to publicly link the April call directly to Spencer and Monique Tepe. Detectives say the earlier call is being reviewed as part of a broader inquiry into the couple’s recent contacts and activity, but they have not confirmed whether either victim was involved in that incident.
How the couple was found
On the morning of Dec. 30, Spencer Tepe did not report to work at Athens Dental Depot. After repeated attempts to reach him failed, his employer, Mark Valrose, called police, according to media reports and released footage (Fox News; police video).
“There’s a body… He’s laying next to his bed, off of his bed in this blood,” — friend who discovered the scene, per released dispatch and bodycam recordings.
Officers arriving on scene found both Spencer and Monique deceased on the home’s second floor. Police estimate the slayings occurred between about 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Dec. 30. Two small children — ages 4 and 1 — were found inside the house and were unharmed; relatives have taken custody of the children while the investigation proceeds.
Person of interest video and police appeal
Columbus police released a short surveillance clip they describe as showing a person of interest walking slowly in an alley near the Weinland Park home during the overnight window when investigators believe the killings occurred. The figure wears a dark coat — possibly with a hood — light-colored pants (described as jeans) and keeps hands in pockets as the person moves through the alleyway. The clip is available in the police release (police video).
Detectives asked the public for tips and asked residents and businesses to review cameras and footage from midnight to 9 a.m. on Dec. 30 in the area around the home, including streets such as Summit Street, North Pearl Avenue, East 7th and East 11th Avenues. Officers are checking street cameras, private doorbell recordings and business surveillance to identify activity or vehicles that could assist the probe (6abc).
Police stress the person in the footage is a person of interest, not a named suspect. Tips have come in and are under review; as of the latest reports, there have been no arrests. Investigators reiterated there were no obvious signs of forced entry and no weapon recovered, and they are not treating the deaths as a murder-suicide (Fox News; 6abc).
Family, community reaction and background
Friends and family described the Tepes as devoted parents and active community members. The couple married in 2021 and had planned a five-year anniversary celebration in the months ahead, relatives said. Spencer, an Ohio State University graduate and practicing dentist, was called a “devoted and proud father”; Monique was remembered as a “loving, patient and joyful mother” whose warmth “defined her.”
Relatives demanded answers. Monique’s brother, Rob Misleh, said, “Makes no sense… What kind of person can take two parents away from such young children?” The family described the deaths as tragic and senseless and vowed to seek justice while protecting the children.
What police say now and next steps
Columbus police continue to gather evidence, interview witnesses and review hours of camera footage. Officials urged the public to come forward with any information, no matter how small. Detectives said they are following multiple leads and coordinating with forensic teams to piece together the timeline and identify persons of interest.
Investigators emphasize that private surveillance can be critical. Authorities encouraged residents to check doorbell and garage cameras for footage from the early morning of Dec. 30 and to submit tips, anonymously if preferred. Anyone with video, photos or information about suspicious people or vehicles in the area between midnight and 9 a.m. on Dec. 30 should call Columbus police at 614-645-2228 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
Implications for Huntington Beach, California
Although this crime occurred in Columbus, the case has lessons that resonate for Huntington Beach and similar communities:
- Community safety and vigilance: Timely reporting and community cooperation can be decisive; homeowners with cameras should preserve and share footage when crimes occur.
- Protecting children and families: The case underscores the need for rapid professional support for children after sudden parental loss — churches, schools and neighborhood groups can play crucial roles.
- Trust in law enforcement: Transparent, thorough policing and clear public communication — including released videos and tip lines — help investigations and public confidence.
- Private security and preparedness: Businesses and homeowners should review lighting, cameras, motion sensors and emergency plans to deter crime and aid response.
- Due process and restraint: Officials have not named suspects; conservative communities that value rule of law should avoid premature conclusions and let investigators follow evidence.
Where to find more information and resources
Police video and related releases can be viewed in the official police release (police video). Reporting and background are available from local outlets, including Fox News and 6abc.
Police request: If you have information, photos or video from the area between midnight and 9 a.m. on Dec. 30, please contact Columbus police at 614-645-2228 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
