When Dr. Spencer Tepe didn’t show up to work on December 30, 2025, friends and coworkers immediately knew something was wrong. They went to his house and made a horrific discovery. Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique Tepe, both died from apparent gunshot wounds inside their Columbus, Ohio, home. The couple’s 4-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son were also reportedly in the house at the time of the killings but unharmed. Now, as relatives care for the children, they’re unsure how to explain that their parents will never come home.
Rob Misleh, who is married to Spencer Tepe’s sister, told People the killings occurred just one month before their fifth wedding anniversary. He said the couple’s children have no idea what happened. The adults in their lives don’t know how to explain such a horrific situation.
“I’m sure she’s wondering when is she gonna see her mommy and daddy again,” he said of his 4-year-old niece. “It’s just really hard to get into her mind.”
He added that his 1-year-old nephew is so young that he’ll likely have no memory of his parents as he grows older. The family is doing their best to keep the children occupied until they find the right time to have a very big, scary conversation.
Columbus Division of Police shared video surveillance of a “person of interest” walking in an alley near the Tepes’ home the day they died. Police believe the crime occurred between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., which Misleh told People meant the children were in their rooms and likely didn’t see anything.
The concerned uncle also spoke with News Nation about the person in the video. “I do think, you know, (it’s a) suspicious-looking person there. It also very well could be somebody walking home drunk from a bar,” Misleh said.
Misleh claims Spencer Tepe and Monique Tepe had no enemies, and he’s stunned they’re gone.
“They were always smiling, they were always laughing. So, it’s really just unbelievable and shocking to all of us when we found out,” he told News Nation. “Still, a week later, it doesn’t, still doesn’t feel real. I can’t believe I’m, like, here talking about this.”
If there is anything good in this situation, it’s that the children remain safe with their relatives, who love them. We cannot imagine how hard it must be for their loved ones to keep such a painful secret. Sadly, telling the truth will likely be even more difficult.
