Brother-in-Law Remembers Dentist and Wife Found Shot to Death Inside Their Home: ‘Never Saw Them Without a Smile’ By Kimberlee Speakman

A man is paying tribute to his beloved brother-in-law and sister after they were found fatally shot at their Ohio home.

On Tuesday, Dec. 30, Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, were found with apparent gunshot wounds inside their Columbus home. Two young children were also at the residence, but unharmed.

Rob Misleh, Monique’s brother, remembered the couple in a statement on behalf of the family as “warm” and “great people.”

“You never saw them without a smile on their face,” Misleh recalled to WLWT5. “They were so warm. Their place in Columbus was just where everybody gathered. They always had people over. Always having fun. Just great people.”

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The couple was found dead after Spencer’s colleague, Dr. Mark Valrose, called 911 to request a welfare check as Spencer had failed to show up for work at Athens Dental Depot, where he worked as a dentist, according to WSYX.

“He is always on time and he would contact us if there [were] any issues,” Valrose allegedly told dispatchers of Spencer at around 9:03 a.m., per the outlet. “I don’t know how else to say this but we are very very concerned. This is very out of character for him. We can’t get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing.”

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Columbus police officers found no signs of forced entry and no firearms when they arrived at the couple’s home. Spencer appeared to have been shot multiple times, while Monique sustained at least one gunshot wound to the chest, according to a police record obtained by ABC affiliate WSYX.

Investigators believe the incident wasn’t a murder-suicide. No suspect details have been released yet.

Misleh said the couple dedicated their lives to being great parents to their children, who the police have not identified due to their age.

“They lived for their children,” Misleh told WLWT5. “Spencer was an avid golfer. Mo was an avid runner. They still did those things, but they put those aside when the kids were born and their lives became about their children.”

Earlier on Friday, Misleh released a statement to ABC6 noting that their family was “devastated by the tragic and senseless loss” of Spencer and Monique.

He went on to describe Spencer as “intelligent, warm, and endlessly welcoming,” adding that he was “deeply committed to serving others.” Misleh described Monique as “a loving, patient, and joyful mother whose warmth defined her,” as well as an “excellent baker, a thoughtful planner, and someone who found joy in bringing people together.”

“We are heartbroken beyond words,” he said. “While no outcome can ever undo this loss, our family is committed to seeing this tragedy fully and fairly brought to justice, and to honoring Spencer and Monique by protecting the future of the children they loved so deeply.”

Authorities are appealing for anyone with information to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at (614) 645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).