Overview
- Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife, Monique, 39, were found shot to death in their Columbus home on Dec. 30 after welfare checks were requested when Spencer missed work; their children, ages 1 and 4, were unharmed.
- Newly released surveillance shows a hooded figure in light pants walking in an alley near the home during the suspected window of the killings, and police are seeking help identifying the individual.
- Investigators believe the shootings occurred upstairs between 2 and 5 a.m.; three 9 mm shell casings were recovered, no firearm was found, and there were no obvious signs of forced entry.
- Police have ruled out a murder-suicide, and the Franklin County Coroner’s Office described the deaths as apparent homicides by gunshot wounds, with final autopsy results pending.
- The children are in relatives’ care as the family organizes support; a GoFundMe has raised more than $140,000, and tips can be shared with Columbus police at 614-645-2228 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.