Ohio Couple Shot Dead at Home as Investigation Continues: Timeline of Events
More than a week after a married couple was found shot to death inside their Columbus home, the person responsible remains at large and investigators have released limited details about the case.
Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, were killed in the early hours of December 30 inside their residence in the Weinland Park neighborhood, just north of downtown Columbus. Their two children, ages 1 and 4, were inside the home at the time but were not physically harmed, police said. The children and the family’s dog are now in the care of relatives.
Authorities are investigating the case as a double homicide. Police have said there were no clear signs of forced entry and no firearm was recovered at the scene.
Below is a timeline of what is known so far.
December 29
This is the last publicly known day Spencer Tepe was seen alive.
According to 911 call records, a friend later told a dispatcher that he had last spoken with Tepe the day before the bodies were discovered. When asked whether Tepe had been ill, the friend said he was not and that they had been together the previous day.
The couple was killed one month before their fifth wedding anniversary.
December 30
Police believe the killings occurred sometime between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Detectives have said the couple was killed upstairs in the home, though authorities have not explained how that three-hour window was determined.
At 8:58 a.m., a 911 call was made by Dr. Mark Valrose, the owner of the dental practice where Spencer Tepe worked. Calling from Florida, Valrose requested a wellness check after being told Tepe had not shown up for work.
“He is always on time, and he would contact us if there were any issues,” Valrose told the dispatcher, adding that repeated attempts to reach both Tepe and his wife had failed.
At 9:22 a.m., an officer arrived at the home but left after receiving no response at the door.
About 30 minutes later, colleagues and a friend arrived at the house and also received no answer. At 9:56 a.m., a 911 call was placed reporting that children could be heard inside the home.
At 10:03 a.m., another caller reported seeing a body. Police were dispatched immediately.
Emergency responders pronounced Spencer and Monique Tepe dead at 10:11 a.m.
January 2
The Tepe family released a public statement expressing devastation over what they described as a “tragic and senseless loss.”
They described the couple as deeply loving and committed to their family and community and said they were determined to see justice served while protecting the future of the children.
January 5
Columbus police released surveillance footage showing a person walking through an alley near the Tepes’ home during the timeframe investigators believe the killings occurred.
The individual is seen wearing light-colored pants and a dark hoodie pulled over their head, moving through a snow-lined alley with their head down. Police described the individual as a “person of interest” and asked the public for help identifying them.
Authorities did not explain why the individual is considered of interest or whether they are believed to be connected directly to the killings.
The Franklin County Coroner’s Office said both deaths were apparent homicides caused by gunshot wounds. Full autopsy reports are expected to take several weeks.
January 6
Police responded to questions about why the individual in the surveillance footage is not being identified as a suspect.
“To maintain the integrity of the investigation, we cannot answer that question right now,” said Sgt. Joe Albert, a spokesperson for the Columbus Division of Police.
Authorities have not disclosed whether a suspect or motive has been identified, how the assailant entered the home, or whether the couple was specifically targeted. Police have also not said whether there is any ongoing threat to the public.
Investigators continue to ask anyone with information or relevant video footage from the area during the early hours of December 30 to come forward.
