Police release video of person of interest in Columbus killings of couple

People reports the Columbus Division of Police on Jan. 5 released footage of a person of interest connected to the Dec. 30 killings of Spencer and Monique Tepe at their Columbus, Ohio, home.

Officers responding to a wellness check found the couple with gunshot wounds and pronounced them deceased, and their two young children were inside and physically unharmed. Detectives said the killings occurred upstairs between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m. on Dec. 30 and that the released video shows a person of interest walking in an alley near the home during that timeframe, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and lighter pants with hands in pockets; the person’s face was not visible.

The Columbus Division of Police said detectives are working diligently, have received community tips and urged anyone with information to call 614-645-2228 or submit anonymous tips to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477. Co‑workers and a friend became concerned after Spencer, 37, did not arrive for work and Monique, 39, did not answer calls; the friend told a 911 dispatcher they could hear the children crying but were unable to enter the house.

Family members have set up a GoFundMe for the couple’s children and have raised more than $150,000; the children’s ages have not been revealed. Police said they will continue to update the public as the investigation progresses.

Key Topics

World, Spencer Tepe, Monique Tepe, Columbus, Ohio, Crime Stoppers, Gofundme