Summary: A Columbus neighbor called 911 in the early hours of Dec. 19, whispering that someone was "smashing on my door" near the home of Spencer and Monique Tepe. The caller provided no description and said the person left without entering. On Dec. 30 the Tepes were found fatally shot; their two young children were unharmed. Police have not confirmed whether the earlier 911 call is related to the unsolved killings.
Neighbor's 911 Call About 'Smashing On My Door' Days Before Columbus Couple Found Shot
Spencer and Monique Tepe were found dead from gunshot wounds in their home in Columbus, Ohio. (Rob Misleh)
A Columbus neighbor placed a fearful 911 call on Dec. 19 saying someone was "smashing on my door" shortly before a nearby couple, dentist Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, were found fatally shot at their home on Dec. 30, according to dispatch recordings released Thursday.
Details Of The 911 Call
The emergency call was made at about 2:31 a.m. The caller — a woman who lives down the block from the Tepe residence — whispered that a stranger appeared to be trying to force entry. When prompted by the dispatcher, she said she did not know the person, could not describe them and had not communicated with them.
"So now they’re smashing on my door. I think they’re trying to get in. They’re banging on my doors," the caller can be heard saying.
Officials said the suspected intruder left without entering. At the time, no formal police report was filed beyond the 911 dispatch notes.
Flowers outside the home of Spencer and Monique Tepe. (Doral Chenoweth / Columbus Dispatch / USA Today)
Discovering The Tepe Family
Police found Spencer and Monique Tepe dead from apparent gunshot wounds on Dec. 30. Their two young children were in the home and were unharmed. Authorities have not publicly confirmed any connection between the Dec. 19 911 call and the later slayings; the investigation remains open and unsolved.
Police Response And Public Record
Columbus Division of Police representatives were not immediately available for comment. Officials released the dispatch recordings to the public, but investigators have not provided additional details tying the earlier disturbance to the homicide scene.
What We Know: A frightened neighbor reported an attempted entry on Dec. 19; the person left. Eleven days later, the Tepe couple were found shot in their home; their children were unharmed. Authorities continue to investigate and have not announced a suspect or motive.
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