Ohio Doctor Faces Aggravated Murder Charges in Ex-Wife and Husband’s Deaths
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A medical doctor is now facing two counts of premeditated aggravated murder in connection with the deaths of his ex-wife and her husband in Columbus, Ohio. Michael David McKee, 39, was arrested in Illinois on Saturday and is awaiting extradition to Ohio, where he will appear in court on Monday.
The Case Unfolds
The bodies of Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, Spencer Tepe, 37, were discovered in their Columbus home on December 30th following a 911 call reporting a body and blood inside the residence. According to a police report, the couple died from apparent gunshot wounds. While the county coroner’s report indicates the deaths are likely homicides, the investigation remains ongoing.
Tragically, the couple’s two young children were found unharmed at the scene. The Tepes had divorced in 2017 after a two-year marriage. Investigators have yet to establish a motive for the killings.
Timeline of Events
Authorities believe Monique and Spencer Tepe were killed between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on December 30th. Concern for the couple grew when Spencer Tepe, a dentist, failed to appear for work, prompting friends and colleagues to contact authorities. Around 10 a.m. that day, a 911 call alerted police to the scene.
Columbus police had previously released video footage of a person of interest wearing a hooded jacket walking in an alley near the Tepes’ home on the night of the murders. Law enforcement officials have declined to confirm whether McKee is the individual depicted in the video, citing concerns about compromising the ongoing investigation.
A Doctor’s Background
McKee is a vascular surgeon licensed to practice in both California and Illinois. He graduated from the Ohio State University College of Medicine in 2014 and previously held a medical license in Nevada, which expired in June. Records indicate no history of medical malpractice or disciplinary actions against his licenses.
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, where McKee is listed as a vascular surgeon in Rockford, Illinois, confirmed it is cooperating with authorities. Rockford is located over 400 miles northwest of Columbus, Ohio.
Family Statement and Legal Status
The brother-in-law of Spencer Tepe, Rob Misleh, released a statement to NBC News acknowledging the arrest as “an important step toward justice,” but emphasized the enduring loss felt by the family. “Monique and Spencer remain at the center of our hearts, and we carry forward their love as we surround and protect the two children they leave behind,” Misleh said. “We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world.”
McKee is currently being held in the Winnebago County Jail in Illinois. It remains unclear whether he has retained legal counsel. The case continues to develop as authorities prepare for McKee’s extradition and further investigation.
