Police conducting a welfare examine on the slain Ohio dentist and his spouse reportedly went to the incorrect tackle earlier than the couple was discovered shot lifeless inside their dwelling as they two younger kids cried.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant revealed the startling mishap Thursday, explaining that officers initially responded to the incorrect dwelling within the Weinland Park neighborhood round 9 a.m. on Dec. 30 however then left after receiving no reply on the entrance or again door, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
Bryant stated Spencer Tepe, 37, and his spouse, Monique, 39, had been discovered lifeless with gunshot wounds inside their four-bedroom Columbus dwelling about 40 minutes after police had left the realm.
“We’re going to be as clear as potential, however we have now to deal with the integrity of the investigation,” the police chief instructed the outlet.
“After we make an arrest, we would like there to be nothing that might make that case unprosecutable.”
Columbus police didn’t instantly reply to The Publish’s request for remark.
Officers carried out the wellness examine after the couple’s frantic pals confirmed up at their dwelling and made repeated 911 calls when Spencer, who labored at Athens Dental Depot, failed to point out up for work.
Throughout one 911 name, the dispatcher stated police had already visited the Tepe residence however left when nobody answered the door. In a separate name minutes later, somebody reported seeing a bloodied physique and listening to a baby screaming inside, in accordance with audio obtained by Fox Information Digital.
“There’s a physique,” the caller says. “Our buddy wasn’t answering his cellphone. We simply did a wellness examine.
“We simply got here right here and he seems lifeless. He’s laying subsequent to his mattress, off of his mattress on this blood. I can’t get nearer to see greater than that.”
Spencer was discovered with a number of gunshot wounds, together with his spouse struggling at the least one shot to the chest, in accordance with police data.
The couple’s 4-year-old daughter, 1-year-old son, and goldendoodle canine had been all unhurt.
No gun was found on the scene and there was no signal of compelled entry, police stated, including that they don’t consider the deaths had been a results of a murder-suicide.
Nonetheless, an unknown tearful lady referred to as 911 and reported a “home dispute” on the couple’s dwelling in April — eight months earlier than they had been killed.
Whereas the decision was reportedly traced to the Tepe residence, Bryant stated it was not positioned by Monique, with no prior document of calls from that tackle or regarding the household, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
No suspect has been publicly named within the Tepes’ slaying.
Police suspect the violent assault occurred between 2 and 5 a.m. on Dec. 30 within the upstairs of the house.
Eerie surveillance footage launched by authorities confirmed a “particular person of curiosity” strolling down an alley close to the couple’s dwelling within the early hours on the day of the lethal taking pictures.
The investigation into the grisly double murder is ongoing.
