Ohio couple death case: Apparent cause of death of slain Dentist and wife revealed as police step up probe

As police intensified the investigation into the death of an Ohio couple whose bodies were found in their home on December 30, 2025, fresh details have emerged. Authorities have disclosed the apparent causes of death for the slain couple. However, the official coroner's report remains pending. The deceased couple, Spencer Tepe, 37, who was a dentist, and his wife, Monique Tepe, 39, were found slain in their Columbus home by police responding to calls for welfare checks on the couple.

The welfare check was requested after Tepe failed to show up for work at Athens Dental Depot, where he worked as a dentist, according to ABC affiliate WSYX. Dr. Mark Valrose, owner of Athens Dental Depot, called 911. He informed dispatchers that the 37-year-old surgeon was always punctual and had not contacted anyone about being absent.

Ohio couple’s apparent cause of death revealed

The Office of Coroner Nathaniel R. Overmire at the Franklin County Forensic Science Center tells PEOPLE the apparent causes of death for the couple were gunshot wounds. In an incident report reviewed by PEOPLE, the Columbus Division of Police said that the couple was pronounced deceased at the scene.

They were found with gunshot wounds inside their Columbus, Ohio, home on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the report stated. The report further revealed that their deaths are being investigated as homicides.

“On December 30, 2025, at approximately 10:04 AM, Columbus Police Patrol officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of N. 4th Street on a well being check. Officers arrived at scene and located two adult victims suffering apparent gunshot wounds. CFD Medic 7 personnel arrived and pronounced both victims deceased at 10:11 AM. The victims are identified as Mr. Spencer Tepe and Mrs. Monique Tepe. Next of kin have been notified. Two small children were also found in the residence unharmed,” the summary in the Incident report read.

The coroner's office told PEOPLE that an official cause of death is yet to be released, pending other details required for the coroner's determination, such as toxicology reports. Investigators have not announced a person of interest or suspect in the case yet.

Spencer suffered several gunshot wounds, claims police

Police previously said Spencer suffered several gunshot wounds and Monique was shot in the chest once, WSYX reported earlier, citing a report. The coroner's office, however, refused to confirm the information, according to PEOPLE.

The investigation was launched after Spencer's coworker told police he did not show up for work, WSYX previously reported. "We can't get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing," Valrose told police.

According to reports, a friend of Spencer's who had also arrived to check on the couple told 911 dispatchers that he could hear the couple's children crying inside the house. “I can hear kids inside, and I think I heard one yell,” CNN cited the caller as saying in the dispatch audio. “But we can’t get in.” A GoFundMe has been set up to assist the couple's two children.