UPDATE: A harrowing 911 call made months before the tragic deaths of dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique Tepe has surfaced, adding chilling details to this ongoing investigation. The couple’s bodies were discovered in their Columbus, Ohio home on December 30, 2023, leading to a manhunt for a person of interest.
The disturbing audio, released by Fox News, captures a woman sobbing while speaking to a dispatcher on April 15, 2023. After hanging up initially, she apologized to the operator, who noted that she seemed emotional. The woman insisted she was “ok” after an argument, stating, “No” when asked if any violence occurred, but an underlying tension was palpable in her voice. The dispatcher classified the call as a “domestic dispute,” ultimately concluding there was no need for police intervention.
Authorities believe Spencer, 37, and Monique, 39, were killed between 2 AM and 5 AM on the morning they were found. Concerns for Spencer’s welfare escalated when he failed to arrive for work at the Athens Dental Depot, a rare occurrence given his punctuality. A friend initially called 911 around 9:30 AM after failing to reach Spencer, expressing worry about children reportedly inside the home.
The friend discovered Spencer’s body and called 911 again, stating, “He appears dead. He’s laying next to his bed, off of his bed in this blood.” Fortunately, the couple’s young children were unharmed, as was their pet dog. The motive behind the killings remains unclear, and investigators have ruled out a murder-suicide scenario.
On January 5, 2024, Columbus police released surveillance footage of a person of interest captured near the Tepe residence around the time of the murders. Veteran FBI agent Bobby Chacon highlighted the significance of the footage, noting that “nobody was out at 2 AM in that kind of weather” in Ohio, raising concerns about the identity of the figure depicted. However, Rob Misleh, Spencer’s brother-in-law, suggested the individual might have been a passerby returning home from a bar, despite the suspicious nature of the sighting.
This shocking crime has sent ripples through the community, raising urgent questions about domestic safety and the effectiveness of police response. As authorities continue their investigation, the fear and uncertainty surrounding the couple’s deaths linger in the air.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org for support.
Stay tuned for further developments in this disturbing case as investigators work to uncover the truth behind these tragic events.
