A couple in Ohio, consisting of a dentist and his wife, were tragically discovered shot dead in their residence this week, though their two young children were found unharmed.
The deceased have been identified as 37-year-old Spencer Tepe and his 39-year-old wife, Monique Tepe, as reported by Ashland Source. The children, thankfully unharmed, are both younger than six years old.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that police have ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide, although they have not provided any additional details regarding the case.
As noted by WSYX, authorities discovered a gun near the scene, but there were no signs that the home had been forcibly entered.
The Dispatch further revealed through a radio log that Spencer Tepe suffered multiple gunshot wounds, with the dispatch log mentioning a potential robbery.
Police were initially alerted by one of Spencer Tepe’s colleagues, who reported his absence from work. This call was made around 9 a.m. on Tuesday. An officer dispatched to the home received no response at the door and subsequently left the premises.
A co-worker told the Dispatch it was uncharacteristic of Tepe to fail to show when the business opened at 8 a.m. and also to not call in. Colleagues were unable to reach either of the Tepes.
Police received two more calls around 10 a.m., with one man reporting that he was at the home and could hear children inside. A second co-worker called around that time as well, saying she was concerned and was on her way to the home. A third call came in minutes later from a friend who said he had gone to the home when Tepe didn’t answer the phone and could see his body inside.
Police arrived shortly afterward and entered the home, finding the bodies and the two children.
Anyone with information should call Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).
