Police in Ohio are searching for a gunman who killed a Columbus-area dentist and his wife earlier this week, leaving their two children orphaned and their loved ones in shock.
The bodies of Spencer and Monique Tepe were discovered Tuesday morning after several concerned friends and co-workers called police, concerned that Spencer hadn’t shown up for work and Monique wasn’t answering her phone.
“They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy and deep connections with others,” the Tepe family said in a statement to NBC News.
“Spencer and Monique share a wonderful, strong and extremely happy relationship together. They enjoy traveling, laughing, and building a life rooted in love. They are the proud parents of two beautiful children and beloved goldendoodle, and they have created a home filled with warmth, happiness, and connection,” the statement read.
Beginning around 9 a.m. on December 30, police received at least four calls from co-workers and loved ones. In the first call, the owner of Spencer’s dental practice told the operator that Spencer was never late for work and always signed in before missing a day.
An hour later, a second person called 911 from outside the couple’s home. The caller, an unidentified male, said he could hear children inside the house but was unable to get inside.
At 10 a.m., one of Spencer’s friends reported seeing a body inside and began sobbing.
“There was blood. He was lying on the edge of the bed, off the bed, and there was blood. I couldn’t get close enough to see anything more,” the friend said, according to the 911 transcript.
According to police reports, three 9 mm shell casings were found inside the home. The couple’s two children were safe in separate rooms from their parents’ bodies.
Columbus police have ruled out murder-suicide and are treating the case as a homicide, officials said. Investigators have not named any suspects publicly and said no additional updates would be provided as of Friday.
Columbus, Ohio, police found flowers outside the home where Monique and Spencer Tepe were found dead. (Dora Chenoweth/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today)
Family members say Spencer and Monique were married in the house where they were killed, a month before celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary.
Relatives described Spencer as a devoted and proud father. He is fluent in Spanish and practices at a dental clinic in Athens. The business’s owner, Dr. Mark Valrose, was the first person to contact police on December 30.
“Spencer will be deeply missed by our team and the many patients he cared for over the years,” Valros said in a social media post.
“Our condolences and most sincere condolences go out to their families and loved ones at this very difficult time,” Valros wrote.
On Dec. 9, the dental office posted birthday wishes for Spencer, along with two photos showing the late dentist smiling in a medical uniform and holding nearly a dozen balloons.
According to relatives, Monique had a background in children’s education and enjoyed baking.
“Monique was a loving, patient and joyful mother who was defined by her warmth,” the Tepe family said in a statement. “Her kindness made people feel immediately at home.”
This article originally appeared on NBCNews.com
