Columbus police have released a critical piece of evidence—surveillance video showing a person of interest walking near the home of a dentist and his wife just hours before they were found shot to death. The footage, captured in a frigid alleyway between 2 and 5 a.m. on December 30, represents the most significant public clue yet in the brutal double homicide of Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife, Monnique, 34.
Authorities are urgently seeking the public’s help to identify the individual seen in the grainy nighttime video. The person, described as wearing a black coat with a hood, gray pants, and black shoes, exhibits a distinctive, possibly pigeon-toed, gait while walking behind the Tepe family’s duplex. The release comes after investigators significantly narrowed the window of the crime to that three-hour period in the early morning.
The couple was discovered in their Columbus home after concerned co-workers, unable to reach the reliable dentist, requested a welfare check. A friend who later arrived at the scene made a harrowing 911 call after seeing Spencer’s body. Police found both victims deceased from gunshot wounds. Their two young children, ages four and one, were unharmed inside the home and are now with family members.
Investigators have confirmed there was no sign of forced entry, deepening the mystery of how the assailant gained access. The family’s golden doodle was also found unharmed. Police recovered 9mm shell casings from the scene and have stated they do not believe the tragedy was a murder-suicide. The murder weapon has not been found.
In an emotional interview, Rob Mizla, Spencer Tepe’s brother-in-law, reacted to the newly released video. “When I first saw it, yeah, I do think, you know, suspicious looking person there,” Mizla told NewsNation. He also noted, however, that it could potentially be someone innocently walking home. The family is adamant the couple had no known enemies.
Spencer Tepe was a well-regarded dentist who commuted to his practice in Athens. Monnique Tepe, a graduate in early childhood education, was a devoted mother and avid baker. Loved ones describe them as a joyful couple who loved travel, sports, and building a life centered on their children. A GoFundMe established for the children has raised over $160,000.
Retired Chicago Police Detective Commander Willar, analyzing the case for Law & Crime, emphasized the video’s importance for generating leads, particularly through cell phone tower data dumps in the area during the narrow timeline. He also highlighted the critical questions posed by the lack of forced entry and the undisturbed children and dog.
“The odds of being murdered in your own home by a complete stranger in the middle of the night with no forced entry and no sign of any kind of struggle… it’s really long odds,” Commander Willar stated. “So there’s got to be more in there.” He suggested investigators would be deeply examining the couple’s backgrounds, relationships, and digital footprints.
The Columbus Dispatch has reported a police camera is positioned near the Tepe home, but it remains unclear if it was operational or captured any useful footage. Investigators are also reviewing any potential evidence from a Ring-style doorbell camera visible on the home’s front door.
As the investigation enters its second week, the pressure to solve this senseless crime mounts. The family, in a public statement, expressed being “heartbroken beyond words” and committed to “seeing this tragedy fully and fairly brought to justice.” Columbus police are urging anyone with information or who recognizes the individual in the video to come forward immediately.