Drop Dead Serious: The Teepe Family Murders

Prologue: A Quiet Street, A Shocking Crime

North Fourth Street in Columbus, Ohio, was the kind of block where neighbors waved, dogs barked, and families grew roots. Until the morning of December 30th, when the Teepe family home became the center of a mystery so chilling, it would pull a quiet neighborhood into the national spotlight.

Spencer and Mon’nique Teepe were found dead, gunned down in their own home. Their two young children, just one and four, were discovered alive but alone, their cries echoing through the silence. The family dog—a golden doodle—remained unharmed, a silent witness to the carnage.

The scene was strange: no signs of forced entry, no murder weapon, only three 9mm shell casings. The police, silent and tight-lipped, released only a snippet of grainy surveillance video—a hooded figure moving through the alley behind the house. Was this the killer, or just another shadow in the night?

Chapter 1: The Victims

Spencer Teepe was a respected dentist, known for his reliability and warmth, a man whose absence from work was enough to set off alarm bells. Mon’nique was a devoted mother and homemaker, the heart of her family. Together they raised their children in a home that had seen celebrations, parties, and the everyday joys of family life.

Friends and relatives described the Teepes as loving and generous. Their house, 1411 North Fourth Street, was a place of laughter and gatherings. Until everything changed.

Chapter 2: The Night of the Murders

According to police, the murders occurred between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m., in the dead of night. There was no forced entry, suggesting the killer either knew the family or the home’s electronic code, or was let in willingly. Spencer was shot multiple times, Mon’nique at least once. The children, somehow, were left unharmed.

The killer left with the gun but not the evidence—three shell casings remained. The dog did not bark, suggesting the intruder was familiar, or simply careful.

Chapter 3: The First Calls for Help

The first signs of trouble came not from the home, but from Spencer’s dental office. The practice opened at 8:00 a.m., but Spencer—always punctual—failed to show. His boss, vacationing in Florida, received frantic calls from employees. Spencer was never late. Something was wrong.

The boss called 911, requesting a welfare check. Within minutes, a friend of the Teepes arrived at the house, also calling for help. He could hear the children inside, crying, but couldn’t get in. Police had already been dispatched, but, in a mix-up, had gone to the wrong house.

When the friend finally gained entry, he was met with horror: Spencer and Mon’nique, dead near their bed, blood pooling on the floor. The children’s cries continued, echoing through the home.

Chapter 4: The Cascade of 911 Calls

The morning of December 30th saw a flurry of emergency calls. The boss, the friend, and finally another caller who saw the carnage—blood, bodies, and children crying. The caller struggled to describe what he saw, telling dispatch, “I can’t get any closer.” Was he outside, peering through a window? Or had he entered the home, overcome by shock?

The details were confusing. The police said the bodies were on the second floor. But how could a caller see them from the outside? The architecture of the house made it nearly impossible to peer into second-floor windows from the street. The mystery deepened.

Chapter 5: The Neighborhood and the Cameras

North Fourth Street was no stranger to surveillance. The Teepe home had a Ring doorbell camera; the neighbor’s house was festooned with cameras on every side, like “the measles of cameras.” The garage faced the alley, and police cameras watched from utility poles nearby.

Yet, despite the abundance of technology, no clear footage of the killer emerged. The only public video showed a hooded figure in the alley, slipping away in the pre-dawn darkness. Was this the murderer, or merely a passerby?

Chapter 6: The Mystery Caller

Eight months before the murders, a 911 call came from 1411 North Fourth Street. The caller, a woman, sounded drunk and emotional, but quickly hung up. When dispatchers called back, she insisted she was okay, that she didn’t need help. A relative of the Teepes later said it wasn’t Mon’nique’s voice on the call. Was it a partygoer, a stranger, or someone else entirely? The mystery lingered.

Chapter 7: The Banging at the Door

Eleven days before the murders, another 911 call came from a neighbor’s house. Someone was smashing and banging on the front door at 2:31 a.m.—the same window of time when the Teepes would later be killed. The problem lasted 13 minutes before the intruder left. No one has officially linked this incident to the murders, but the timing is eerie.

Chapter 8: The Forensics of Child Witnesses

One of the most haunting aspects of the case is the children left behind. The one-year-old would offer little help, but the four-year-old—old enough to remember, perhaps to speak—could hold vital clues.

Forensic interviews with children are a delicate art. Kids want to please; they’re suggestible, eager to answer leading questions. Only specialists can extract reliable testimony from young witnesses. The process is slow, gentle, and careful, avoiding trauma and suggestion.

Dr. Rebecca Bailey, a leading family psychologist, described the protocols: child-centered language, non-leading questions, and careful control of the interview environment. Loyalty binds can run deep, especially if the child knows the perpetrator. The truth can be elusive, hidden behind fear and love.

Chapter 9: The Chain of Evidence

The shell casings found at the scene became a focal point for investigators. Three bullets—one in Mon’nique, two in Spencer—suggested a targeted attack. The killer took the gun but left the casings, perhaps in haste or carelessness.

Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffendoffer explained the significance: shell casings can reveal much, from the type of weapon to the shooter’s skill. But the lack of forced entry, the silence of the dog, and the familiarity with the home all pointed to someone known to the victims.

Chapter 10: The Google Searches

Another strange detail emerged: a spike in Google searches for 1411 North Fourth Street before the murders, higher than even after the crime. Was someone researching the family, the house, or the layout in advance? Investigators tracked the searches, hoping to find a digital trail leading to the killer.

Chapter 11: The Community in Shock

The Teepe murders shook Columbus. Vigils were held, candles lit in memory of Spencer and Mon’nique. Neighbors grieved, parents held their children closer, and doors were locked a little tighter. The police insisted there was no ongoing threat, suggesting a targeted attack. But fear lingered.

Chapter 12: Theories and Speculation

The lack of forced entry, the missing weapon, and the familiarity with the home all fueled speculation. Was this a professional hit? A crime of passion? Or a case of mistaken identity?

Some pointed to the neighborhood’s reputation for crime and gangs, but experts dismissed the theory—gangs act in force, leave chaos, and the dog would have barked. The evidence suggested something more personal.

Chapter 13: The Investigation

Detectives worked tirelessly, interviewing friends, family, and anyone with access to the home. The electronic lock system was scrutinized for access logs. Surveillance footage was reviewed, tips were followed, and forensic evidence was analyzed.

The children remained in the care of family, shielded from the media storm. The four-year-old’s potential testimony was handled with utmost care, experts ready to step in if guardians allowed an interview.

Chapter 14: The House and the Alley

The layout of the Teepe home became a puzzle. The garage faced the alley, the backyard was fenced, and the windows were hard to access. The killer likely entered from the alley, avoiding cameras and slipping in undetected.

Photos from the scene showed the path from Fourth Street down 8th Avenue and into the alley—a route the killer may have taken. The basement window was a possible entry point, but the victims were found upstairs. The confusion over how the bodies were seen, and by whom, added another layer of mystery.

Chapter 15: The National Spotlight

As the investigation dragged on, the case attracted national attention. True crime podcasts dissected every detail, and TV crews set up outside the Teepe home. The story became a cautionary tale—a reminder of the fragility of life and the darkness that can lurk in the most ordinary places.

Chapter 16: The Lingering Questions

Despite exhaustive efforts, the case remained unsolved. The killer had vanished into the night, leaving behind only grief and uncertainty.

Why were Spencer and Mon’nique targeted? Who had the motive, the means, and the opportunity to commit such a crime? Was this a professional hit, or something more personal? Had the killer acted alone, or with help?

The answers remained elusive, but the search continued. Detectives refused to give up, driven by a sense of duty to the victims and their children.

Chapter 17: The Emotional Aftermath

For Spencer and Mon’nique’s families, the pain was unrelenting. Holidays passed in silence, milestones marked by absence rather than celebration. The children struggled to adjust, their lives forever changed by a night they could barely remember.

Friends and colleagues at Spencer’s dental practice mourned the loss of their leader. Patients left notes and flowers, sharing stories of kindness and care. Mon’nique’s friends organized memorials, celebrating her warmth and generosity.

The community’s grief was matched only by its determination to find justice. Volunteers distributed flyers, organized search parties, and raised funds for the investigation. The Teepe murders became a symbol of resilience—a reminder that even in the darkest times, hope endures.

Chapter 18: The Search for Truth

As weeks passed, the investigation continued. New evidence was uncovered, old leads revisited. The police remained silent, working behind the scenes, refusing to give up.

The person of interest in the video remained unidentified. Tips poured in, some helpful, others wild speculation. The investigation stretched on, each day bringing new hope that the case would break wide open.

Chapter 19: The Legacy

The Teepe murders left an indelible mark on Columbus. The community rallied around the children, ensuring they would grow up surrounded by love and support. The police department reviewed its procedures, investing in new technology and training to prevent future tragedies.

True crime enthusiasts continued to debate the case, analyzing every detail and searching for overlooked clues. The story became a cautionary tale—a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of vigilance.

For those who knew Spencer and Mon’nique, their legacy was simple: kindness, generosity, and a commitment to family. Their lives were cut short, but their impact endured.

Epilogue: Drop Dead Serious

In the end, the Teepe murders were more than a mystery—they were a testament to the power of community, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring quest for justice. As Columbus moved forward, the lessons learned from this tragedy shaped the city’s future, ensuring that the memory of Spencer and Mon’nique Teepe would never be forgotten.

The cameras may have blinked in silence, but the search for truth continues. Somewhere, someone knows what happened on North Fourth Street. The answers are out there, waiting to be uncovered.

And as Ashley Banfield reminds us, the truth isn’t just serious—it’s drop dead serious.

Chapter 20: The Forensics Unfold

The forensic investigation into the Teepe murders became a race against time. Columbus PD’s crime lab worked overtime, analyzing the three 9mm shell casings left at the scene. Each casing was examined for fingerprints, DNA, and unique markings from the firing pin—a microscopic signature that could link the bullets to a specific gun, if ever found.

Investigators scoured the home for trace evidence: fibers, footprints, and any sign of forced entry that might have been overlooked. The electronic lock’s access logs were downloaded, showing every code entered over the previous weeks. Detectives hoped to find a time-stamped entry that matched the window of the murders, but the results were inconclusive.

The house’s Ring doorbell footage was retrieved and enhanced, frame by frame. The alley cameras, the neighbor’s surveillance system, and the city’s own utility pole camera were all combed for clues. The hooded figure seen in the alley remained a mystery—no clear facial features, no obvious identifiers. But the time stamp matched the likely moment of the crime.

Chapter 21: The True Crime Community Responds

As the investigation stalled, the true crime community sprang into action. Podcasts dissected every detail, Reddit threads exploded with theories, and amateur sleuths mapped out the neighborhood using Google Street View. Some speculated the killer was a party guest who’d learned the code; others believed it was a professional hit, given the targeted violence and lack of chaos.

Ashley Banfield’s episode became a focal point for discussion. Listeners debated the plausibility of the 911 caller’s vantage point, the meaning of the dog’s silence, and the significance of the Google search spikes before the murders. The case was compared to infamous crimes like the Idaho student murders and the Amanda Knox case—reminders that sometimes, the boogeyman is real.

Chapter 22: The Psychological Toll

The emotional aftermath for the Teepe children was profound. Trauma specialists were brought in to support the four-year-old, whose memories were now the subject of forensic interviews. The process was painstaking: neutral settings, open-ended questions, and careful attention to language.

Dr. Rebecca Bailey’s expertise guided the team. The child’s guardians—family members—controlled access, wary of exposing the child to further trauma. Police and psychologists worked together, balancing the need for information with the imperative to protect the young witness.

Meanwhile, the community rallied. Fundraisers were organized for the children’s future. Local businesses donated food and supplies. Counselors held group sessions for neighbors, helping them process the shock and grief.

Chapter 23: The Media Pressure

As days turned into weeks, media scrutiny intensified. Reporters camped outside the Teepe home, hoping for a breakthrough. National outlets picked up the story, turning North Fourth Street into a symbol of unanswered questions.

The Columbus PD faced criticism for its silence. Some believed the police were withholding information to protect the investigation; others worried the case was slipping through the cracks. The release of the surveillance video was both a plea for public help and a sign of frustration.

Ashley Banfield’s coverage brought renewed focus to the case, highlighting the importance of forensic interviews with children and the challenges of extracting reliable testimony. The story resonated with viewers, many of whom had followed similar cases in the past.

Chapter 24: The Search for Motive

Detectives revisited every possible motive. Was there a financial dispute? A jealous lover? A business deal gone wrong? Spencer’s dental practice was scrutinized—no evidence of threats or lawsuits. Mon’nique’s social circle was mapped, but no suspicious contacts emerged.

The lack of forced entry remained the key clue. Someone had access, or was trusted enough to be let inside. The electronic lock’s code had been shared with family, babysitters, and close friends. Interviews with these individuals yielded no clear suspects, but the investigation continued.

The Google search data was analyzed further. Law enforcement traced IP addresses, hoping to identify who had researched the Teepe address and family before the murders. The results were ambiguous—party guests, delivery drivers, and random internet users had all searched the address, but none stood out.

Chapter 25: The Ripple Effect

The Teepe murders changed North Fourth Street forever. Residents installed new locks, upgraded their security systems, and formed a neighborhood watch. The tragedy became a catalyst for community action, uniting neighbors in their resolve to prevent future violence.

Local leaders called for increased police presence and investment in mental health resources. The city council debated new regulations on surveillance cameras and electronic locks. The case became a touchstone for broader debates about safety, privacy, and justice.

Chapter 26: The Unsolved Puzzle

Months passed, and the case remained open. The person of interest in the alley video was never identified. The murder weapon was never found. The killer’s motive, method, and identity remained a mystery.

The four-year-old’s testimony was ultimately inconclusive—memories blurred by trauma and suggestibility. Forensic experts cautioned against relying too heavily on child witnesses, especially in cases with deep emotional stakes.

The Teepe children grew, supported by family and community. The house at 1411 North Fourth Street was eventually sold, its history a silent reminder of the darkness that once descended.

Chapter 27: Lessons Learned

The Teepe case became a study in the complexities of modern crime investigation. Technology offered new tools—surveillance cameras, electronic locks, digital footprints—but also new challenges. Privacy concerns clashed with the need for evidence. The proliferation of amateur sleuths brought both insight and confusion.

Law enforcement agencies across the country took note. Training in forensic child interviews was expanded. Protocols for handling electronic evidence were updated. The importance of community cooperation was emphasized.

Chapter 28: The Enduring Mystery

In the end, the Teepe murders remained unsolved—a chilling reminder that not every crime yields answers. The case haunted investigators, neighbors, and the true crime community. The search for justice continued, driven by the memory of Spencer and Mon’nique, and the hope that someday, the truth would emerge.

For Ashley Banfield and her viewers, the story was a call to vigilance. The cameras blinked, the children cried, and the neighborhood watched. The lesson was clear: the truth isn’t just serious—it’s drop dead serious.

Epilogue: A Community United

North Fourth Street moved forward, changed but not defeated. The Teepe children found stability in the arms of relatives. The city remembered Spencer and Mon’nique not for the way they died, but for the lives they lived—kindness, generosity, and love.

The investigation continued, quietly, in the background. Detectives reviewed old evidence, hoping for a break. The true crime community kept watch, sharing updates and theories, refusing to let the case fade.

And somewhere, perhaps, the answers waited—hidden in a forgotten detail, a silent witness, or a memory yet to be unlocked.