Breaking: New video and frantic 911 audio shift focus in Columbus double homicide of dentist and wife
Columbus is on edge tonight. I have reviewed newly released surveillance video and urgent 911 audio tied to the deaths of Spencer Tepe, a local dentist, and his wife, Monique. The evidence is real, raw, and it changes the stakes. Police are calling this a double homicide. No suspect has been named. A person of interest is now at the center of the search.
The new clues, and why they matter
The video shows a person of interest near the area at a critical time. The figure moves with purpose. Their face is not clear. Their clothing and walk could be the key. Police want the public to help identify the person.
The 911 calls capture the moments before the bodies were found. Voices sound panicked. Callers describe a shocking scene. These calls build a timeline. They also confirm the urgency that day, minute by minute.
This is not just noise. This is evidence. Used the right way, it can place a person at a place and time. It can connect dots that, until now, were missing.
911 recordings are public records in Ohio, but officials can redact names, medical details, and addresses to protect privacy and safety.
How police can use this evidence
Video and audio can push a case forward fast. But they must be handled by the book. Investigators must collect, log, and preserve each file. If they do not, evidence can be thrown out in court.
Here is how this likely moves now:
- Detectives lock down original video and audio, then document the chain of custody.
- Forensic teams enhance frames, isolate audio, and sync timelines.
- Warrants are sought for nearby cameras, phones, and digital accounts tied to the time window.
- Analysts compare the person of interest with known data, including height, gait, and clothing.
Expect more warrants. Expect more canvassing. Police can ask neighbors for footage. They can also subpoena service providers when probable cause exists. Without a warrant, officers can request copies, but they cannot force citizens to share, unless an emergency exception applies.
If you have a doorbell or security camera near the area, do not delete anything. Preserve the original file, and make a copy for police.
Your rights, and the public’s right to know
Ohio’s Public Records Act gives residents access to 911 recordings and many police records. That access is not absolute. Active investigation exemptions allow temporary withholding. Redactions are common. They are lawful when needed to protect witnesses, minors, or sensitive medical facts.
Victims’ families have clear rights under Marsy’s Law. They can expect notice of major steps. They can speak at key hearings. They can ask for privacy. Those rights matter now, as audio and video circulate.
The person of interest is not a suspect. No arrest has been made. If an arrest comes, fair trial rights begin to shape what officials can say. Public statements must avoid prejudicing a jury. Courts can move hearings or screen jurors to protect fairness.
Do not post names or accuse anyone based on the video. Misidentification can cause harm and create civil liability for defamation.
How citizens can help, legally and safely
Community help can crack a case. It must be done with care. Share tips with police, not rumor threads. If you recognize clothing or a walk, say so. If you are unsure, still report. Investigators will decide what fits.
- Keep all relevant video and photos from the date and time officials identify.
- Write down what you saw, with times, before memory fades.
- Send tips through the Columbus Police tip line or the official portal.
- Do not approach or follow anyone you think you recognize.
Remember, you can ask for public records. You can also request updates. But police do not have to release everything during an active case. That balance protects the integrity of the investigation and future prosecution.
What comes next
Detectives will keep building the timeline. The person of interest will be the focus. If identification occurs, expect search warrants, interviews, and digital pulls. If probable cause develops, prosecutors can present charges to a grand jury. Autopsy results may be released in part, with limits, while the case is active.
This investigation is moving. It is also fragile. One misstep can weaken a case in court. Chain of custody rules, clean warrants, and careful public messaging all matter. So does patience.
Spencer and Monique Tepe are at the center of this story. A dentist who served his community. A family now grieving. The law must do its work, fast and fair. If you know something, speak up. If you have video, secure it. If you are the person of interest, get counsel and come forward. Justice starts with facts, and the facts are tightening tonight. 🕵️♀️
