The Columbus, Ohio, police chief is speaking publicly for the first time following the shocking and still-unsolved murders of dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique Tepe, a crime that has rattled the community and left investigators searching for answers.
The couple was found shot to death inside their home on Dec. 30, according to Columbus police. Their two young children were discovered safe inside the residence, a detail that has only deepened the tragedy surrounding the case.
“This case is definitely disturbing,” Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant told the city’s ABC affiliate WSYX, acknowledging the growing concern and frustration among residents as the investigation continues.
Authorities believe the murders occurred sometime between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on the second floor of the couple’s home. That early-morning window has become a key focus for detectives working to piece together the final hours before the killings.
Earlier this week, police released surveillance video showing a person of interest. According to investigators, the footage captures an individual walking through an alley near the Tepe residence during the same 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. timeframe when authorities believe the murders took place. Police have not identified the individual or said whether the person is considered a suspect.
Chief Bryant said investigators have not yet determined a motive and stressed that the case remains active and ongoing.
“I know it’s frustrating for people, I know they want answers,” Bryant said. “As soon as we’re able to provide more information, we will absolutely be coming back to talk about that.” She added that it is still too early to draw conclusions. “Right now it’s premature for us to be able to say what the motive is, or, we don’t have a suspect identified at this point.”
Bryant emphasized that the department’s priority is delivering justice for the victims and their loved ones. “We want to bring some justice to the family,” she said.
As police continue their investigation, family members are grappling with the sudden and devastating loss. Rob Misleh, the Tepes’ brother-in-law, said the family had just spent time together days before the murders, making the shock even harder to process.
“We did Christmas night together, and then the following day we just did a, kind of, post-Christmas lounging and watching movies and had dinner,” Misleh said in an interview with Good Morning America. “And the next morning they left.” He reflected on the moment with visible disbelief, adding, “How would I ever know that would be the last time I would’ve hung out with Spence like that?”
Misleh said the family was completely unprepared for what would follow. “We were totally blindsided by what happened,” he said, describing the pain and confusion that has followed the murders.
Friends, relatives, and members of the Columbus community are expected to come together on Sunday for a celebration of life service honoring Spencer and Monique Tepe. The gathering will serve as a moment of remembrance for two lives cut short and a show of support for their children and extended family.
For now, police are urging anyone with information related to the case or the person seen in the surveillance footage to come forward, as the investigation into one of Columbus’s most disturbing recent crimes continues.
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