Ohio Dentist and Wife Found Shot Dead in Chilling Homicide — Police Hunt for Killer

Authorities in Columbus, Ohio, are scrambling for answers after a beloved local dentist and his wife were discovered shot to death inside their suburban home — a crime that has left neighbors shaken and police searching for whoever pulled the trigger.

Officers responding to a welfare check on Tuesday morning found 37-year-old dentist Dr. Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique, 39, lifeless inside their northwest Columbus residence. Both had been shot — Spencer multiple times, Monique at least once in the chest. Their two young children were found inside the home unharmed.

“It’s just heartbreaking,” said a neighbor, who asked not to be identified. “They were such a friendly, loving family. No one can believe this happened here.”

Police confirmed there were no signs of forced entry and no weapons were recovered at the scene. Detectives quickly ruled out murder-suicide, deepening the mystery.

“The circumstances are suspicious,” a Columbus Police spokesperson told local station WSYX. “We are investigating this as a double homicide.”

According to 911 audio obtained by ABC News, the first sign of trouble came when Dr. Tepe failed to show up for work at Athens Dental Depot — something his boss, Dr. Mark Valrose, said had never happened before.

“He’s reliable. We couldn’t reach him or his wife — nobody,” Valrose told dispatchers during his 911 call. “It’s just not like him.”

Police records show an officer first checked the home around 9:22 a.m. but left after getting no response. Roughly 30 minutes later, another caller reported hearing children crying inside. Minutes after that, a third frantic call came in: someone could see Spencer’s body through the window.

Friends described the couple as devoted parents and active members of their community. They married in 2021 and were just weeks away from celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary.

“They loved each other so much,” said Monique’s brother, Rob Misleh, who shared family photos with local media. “We just want justice.”

“This is not the kind of thing that happens in our neighborhood,” said one resident. “It’s terrifying knowing someone out there did this and is still walking free.”