The brother-in-law of Monique and Spencer Tepe — the Ohio couple found dead in their home last week — says their young children are still too little to understand what has happened.
The children were found physically unharmed inside the couple’s Columbus, Ohio, residence, where Monique, 39, and Spencer, 37, were discovered dead on Dec. 30, according to police. A family friend who placed a 911 call from outside the home while waiting for officers to arrive for a welfare check said he could hear the children crying inside, CNN previously reported, citing call records.
Rob Misleh, who is married to Spencer’s sister, said in an interview with NewsNation that the children are now safe and surrounded by care, but remain unaware of the loss they have suffered.
“We have had them for the past couple of days … they were just as happy and, unfortunately, unaware as they ever could be,” Misleh said during an appearance on Banfield. “They’re in loving hands, and even more people are coming by their side to make sure that they’re taken care of.”
The couple’s surviving daughter is 4 years old, and their son is just 1. Misleh said he is struggling with how to eventually explain the situation to the older child.
“We just don’t know how to do that,” he said. “I’m sure she’s wondering when she’s going to see her mommy and daddy again.”
Misleh added that he does not believe the children were exposed to the crime scene.
“As far as I know, I don’t think that they were. I don’t think that they saw what happened,” he said, adding, “or at least I want to believe that with my heart.”
Authorities have released few details about the investigation nearly a week after the killings. On Monday, Jan. 5, police shared a brief segment of surveillance footage showing a person walking near the couple’s home around the time investigators believe the deaths occurred.
The video shows a hooded individual calmly moving along a snowy street while dressed in dark clothing. The person’s face is not clearly visible, though it remains unclear whether that is due to video quality or if the individual’s face was deliberately covered.
Police are asking anyone with information that could help identify the person to contact authorities at 614-645-2228 or submit anonymous tips to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
