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Ohio authorities are investigating the shooting deaths of Columbus dentist Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife, Monique, 39, after the couple was found inside their Weinland Park home during a welfare check, with no suspect identified and no signs of forced entry or recovered firearm reported so far. A growing memorial of roses and sunflowers has appeared outside their North 4th Street residence as neighbors and loved ones mourn and police continue the search for whoever is responsible.​​

Double homicide in Weinland Park

Columbus police were called to the Tepes’ home on North 4th Street on a Tuesday morning after a welfare check was requested when Spencer failed to show up for work at Athens Dental Depot, where he was known for his punctuality. A family friend and officers entered the home and found Spencer and Monique dead from apparent gunshot wounds, with two young children located inside the house unharmed.​

Newly released records indicate that Spencer suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while Monique sustained at least one gunshot wound to the chest. Police reported no obvious signs of forced entry and confirmed that no firearm was recovered at the scene, leading investigators to treat the case as a double homicide and to state that they do not currently believe it to be a murder‑suicide.​

911 calls and timeline details

The welfare check was initiated after Athens Dental Depot owner Dr. Mark Valrose contacted authorities, telling dispatch that Spencer had not arrived for his shift and that this absence was completely out of character. Several coworkers went to the home, and one friend called 911 around 9:57 a.m. after hearing children crying inside but getting no answer at the door, then placed another call minutes later after seeing Spencer’s body near a bed through a window or doorway.​

During that call, the friend urgently told dispatchers, “There is a body inside,” explaining that they had gone to do a wellness check when Spencer stopped answering his phone. Police have not publicly released a precise time of the shootings, but the sequence of Spencer’s missed shift, coworkers’ concerns, and the 911 calls suggests the violence occurred before officers arrived that morning.​

Community grief and memorial

Outside the Tepes’ Weinland Park home, neighbors and friends have created a memorial made up of roses and sunflowers placed near the front steps, a visible sign of grief and solidarity on the block. Video and local coverage show flowers gathering along the sidewalk and fence line as more people stop by to pay their respects and reflect on the loss of the young couple.​​

Colleagues at Athens Dental Depot described Spencer as a dedicated dentist and friend, issuing a statement that they were “deeply saddened” by his sudden death and offering condolences to his family. Family members have shared wedding footage and memories of the couple, who married in 2021 and were approaching their fifth anniversary, underscoring the personal tragedy behind the public investigation.​

Ongoing investigation and appeals for information

As of the latest reports, Columbus police have not identified a suspect or made an arrest in the case and have not publicly named any persons of interest. Investigators have emphasized that the lack of forced entry and the absence of a firearm at the scene are key elements of the case, but they have released few additional details about potential motives or timelines.​​

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at (614) 645‑4730 or to provide anonymous tips through Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461‑TIPS (8477), stressing that even small details could help move the investigation forward. Police and national outlets have also highlighted that the couple’s young children, found physically unharmed in the home, remain a central concern as the community seeks answers and accountability.​​

Other Ohio developments

Separate from the Weinland Park homicide investigation, a 14‑year‑old boy was killed in a New Year’s Eve crash in Morrow County, drawing attention to teen driving safety and holiday travel risks in central Ohio. In another case, Columbus authorities arrested a woman in connection with the death of her 3‑year‑old daughter, which police have classified as a homicide rooted in domestic violence, adding to concerns about family‑violence‑related deaths in the region.​

Ohio has also implemented a new law standardizing kindergarten enrollment, requiring children to be 5 years old by the first day of school, a shift that state officials estimate will result in about 5,000 fewer kindergarten students statewide next year. Educators and policymakers say the change is meant to create consistency across districts, but they also warn it could affect school funding levels and increase demand for preschool and childcare as more 4‑year‑olds are held out of kindergarten.​