Ex‑Husband Arrested in Ohio Dentist Double Murder; Police Say Vehicle, Surveillance Led to Michael David McKee Arrest
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Authorities arrested Michael David McKee, the ex‑husband of Monique Tepe, and charged him with two counts of murder in the Dec. 30 slayings of Dr. Spencer Tepe and Monique Tepe; the couple’s two children were found unharmed.
- Arrest: Michael David McKee, 39, a vascular surgeon and Monique’s ex‑husband, was taken into custody in Rockford, Illinois, and faces two counts of murder in Ohio.
- Investigation: Police tied a vehicle and neighborhood surveillance footage to McKee, which led to a warrant and his arrest.
- Victims: Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, were found shot to death on Dec. 30 in their Weinland Park home; their children were unharmed.
- Next steps: McKee is being held in Winnebago County pending an extradition hearing and transfer to Ohio for prosecution.
The crime: what police say happened
Timeline: Columbus police were called Dec. 30 after friends and co‑workers grew concerned when Dr. Spencer Tepe failed to show up for work and could not be reached. Officers conducted a welfare check at the Tepes’ Weinland Park home near North Fourth Street.
According to police and media accounts, an initial officer arrived around 9:20 a.m. and left when there was no answer. A later check shortly after 10 a.m. allowed someone to peer into a window and see Spencer’s body next to the bed. Officers found both Spencer and Monique dead from gunshot wounds on the home’s second floor; reports indicate Spencer was shot multiple times. Detectives estimated the killings occurred between roughly 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. that morning. The couple’s two young children were inside and were found unharmed.
“The loss of two lives taken far too soon,” the Tepe family said after the arrest, calling it “an important step toward justice” and thanking Columbus police and assisting agencies.
How investigators focused on McKee
Police released surveillance footage showing a person of interest walking through a snowy alley near the Tepes’ home during the likely time window; the figure wore a dark coat and light pants, head down and hands in pockets, according to media descriptions.
Detectives then used neighborhood camera systems to identify a vehicle that arrived before the suspected time of the murders and left shortly after. Investigators tracked the vehicle out of state to Rockford, Illinois, and connected it to McKee — links that formed the basis for a warrant and ultimately his arrest, according to Ohio police court documents cited in media reports.
Sources cited in reporting included Fox News, ABC7NY, and local coverage summarized by regional outlets.
The arrest and charges
McKee was taken into custody in Rockford and booked at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office just before noon on Saturday, according to jail records. He is listed as being held in Winnebago County, Illinois, and charged in Ohio with two counts of murder in the deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe.
Reports indicate McKee is scheduled for an extradition or initial hearing in Illinois on Monday, Jan. 12, and will be held pending transfer to Ohio. Beyond surveillance and vehicle tracking ties, authorities have not publicly detailed additional evidence such as ballistics or witness statements; prosecutors in Ohio will determine how to proceed once McKee is in custody there.
Victims and family response
About the victims: Dr. Spencer Tepe was a practicing dentist and had ties to Ashland. Monique Tepe had been married to McKee from 2015 until their divorce was finalized in June 2017; contemporaneous reporting characterized the split as amicable and granted on grounds of incompatibility.
Family statement: The Tepe family described the arrest as “an important step toward justice” and planned a celebration of life service for the Sunday following the arrest.
Suspect background
Court records and reporting identify McKee as 39 and a vascular surgeon who has worked in several states. Documents list a Lincoln Park address in Chicago; he was working as a vascular surgeon in Rockford at the time of his arrest. McKee earned a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a medical degree from Ohio State in 2014, then completed residency and a vascular fellowship with subsequent work in Roanoke, at the University of Maryland fellowship program, and in facilities in Las Vegas and California prior to practicing in Illinois.
What remains unknown
Authorities have not released a motive for the killings. Public reports have not detailed whether forensic evidence beyond vehicle and surveillance ties — such as ballistics, digital records, or witness statements — will be used, nor whether McKee has entered a plea. Columbus police described the arrest as significant but have not outlined other evidence in public statements.
Legal next steps
McKee is scheduled for an initial extradition hearing in Winnebago County, Illinois, on Monday, Jan. 12. If extradited, he will be brought to Ohio to face murder charges. Franklin County prosecutors will file charges and proceed through arraignment, possible bond hearings and pretrial steps. Defense counsel and prosecution statements were not yet available in public reports.
Implications for Redding, California
- Public safety and trust: The cross‑state arrest highlights the importance of interagency cooperation and may prompt calls in Redding for continued support of patrols and investigative resources.
- Legal and policing procedures: The case underscores investigative tools — surveillance footage, vehicle tracking and extradition processes — that local officials may cite when discussing funding and task forces.
- Support for families: The Tepes’ children were unharmed but traumatized; communities may seek expanded victim‑support services, counseling and school resources.
- Civic response: High‑profile crimes often prompt memorials and forums; local leaders and faith groups may organize events to support grieving families and discuss prevention.
- Practical reminders: Residents are often encouraged to secure homes, share surveillance footage with investigators and report suspicious activity to help solve serious crimes quickly.
Reporting notes and sources
This article is based on reporting from multiple outlets and public court and police documents. Key sources and reporting include Fox News; ABC7NY; LiveNOWFox; Ashland Source; ABC6; and ABC7Chicago.
If developments occur — including extradition, court filings, charges added, or statements from defense counsel — courtside and police records will be monitored and added to the record as available.
