Frantic 911 Calls Reveal Children of Slain Dentist and Wife Were Crying Inside Home Before Couple’s Bodies Were Found

A well-known Columbus, Ohio couple were found fatally shot inside their home while their two young children were also inside the residence and later heard crying by people who came to check on them.

Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, were discovered with gunshot wounds in their home on Tuesday, Dec. 30, according to an incident report from the Columbus Division of Police. Officers responding to a welfare check found both adults deceased at the scene. Their two young children were inside the home and were not physically injured.

The discovery followed growing concern from friends and colleagues after Spencer failed to show up for work. Dr. Mark Valrose, who owns the dental practice where Spencer worked, called 911 after repeated attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.

“I don’t know how else to say this, but we are very, very concerned. This is very out of character for him,” Valrose told dispatchers, according to WSYX. He added that being unable to contact Spencer’s wife heightened the alarm.

Several of Spencer’s co-workers went to the Tepe home to check on the family. In a 911 call cited by CNN, a friend told dispatchers they could hear the children crying inside the house.

“I can hear kids inside, and I think I heard one yell,” the caller said. “But, we can’t get in.”

Minutes later, another emergency call reported a grim discovery. “There’s a body,” a distressed caller told police. In a separate call cited by WSYX, someone reported seeing Spencer’s body near a bed inside the home.

Spencer and Monique were described by those who knew them as deeply loved members of their community. Athens Dental Spot, where Spencer worked, released a statement on Thursday, Jan. 1, confirming the deaths and announcing the practice would remain closed for the rest of the week.

Spencer’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh, expressed disbelief in a Facebook post. “My brother and sister were the best of the best,” he wrote. “Just can’t believe that somebody would do this. Love you Spence & Mo.”

In a statement shared by Misleh, the family described Monique as a “loving, patient, and joyful mother” whose warmth defined her, and Spencer as someone “deeply committed to serving others.” The couple, the statement said, shared a happy marriage, loved traveling, and were building a life centered on love.

Columbus police are investigating the deaths as homicides. As of Friday, Jan. 2, authorities had not identified a suspect, disclosed a possible motive, or said whether the couple may have been targeted.