An Illinois doctor accused of killing his ex-wife and her current husband in their Columbus, Ohio, home is now facing more serious charges, as authorities prepare to return him to Ohio for prosecution.
Michael David McKee, 39, has been charged with two counts of premeditated aggravated murder in connection with the Dec. 30 shooting deaths of Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, Spencer Tepe, 37, according to Franklin County court records. McKee was arrested Saturday in Rockford, Illinois, after investigators linked him to a vehicle captured on surveillance footage near the crime scene.
The Tepes were discovered shot to death inside their Weinland Park home on North Fourth Street when Columbus police conducted a wellness check after Spencer Tepe, a dentist, failed to report to work. A co-worker called 911 and told dispatchers, “He is always on time, and he would contact us if there were any issues whatsoever. I don’t know how else to say this, but we are very, very concerned because this is out of character. And we can’t get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing.” Police found no signs of forced entry and did not locate a weapon at the scene. Spencer Tepe had been shot multiple times, while Monique Tepe suffered at least one gunshot wound to the chest. Investigators believe the killings occurred between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Dec. 30. Their two children, a 1-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, were found in the home unharmed along with the family dog.
McKee appeared briefly in Winnebago County Court on Monday wearing a yellow jail uniform, with his hands and feet restrained. He did not speak during the hearing beyond stating his name. His attorney, public defender Carie Poirier, said McKee intends to plead not guilty and has waived extradition in order to be transferred quickly to Ohio. A status hearing on the transfer is scheduled for Jan. 19. The Columbus Police Department had previously released video of a hooded individual walking in an alley near the Tepe’s residence that night but have not confirmed whether McKee is the person shown, citing the ongoing investigation.
McKee and Monique Tepe were married in 2015 and divorced in 2017 after less than two years together. Court records show the divorce was granted on grounds of incompatibility, with no children from the marriage and no spousal support awarded. Monique later married Spencer Tepe in December 2020.
McKee, a vascular surgeon, holds medical licenses in Illinois and California and previously practiced in Nevada. His former hospital employer in Rockford, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, said it is cooperating with authorities. There are no known disciplinary actions on his medical record.
In a statement, family members of the Tepes said regarding McKee’s arrest: “Today’s arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer. Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon, but we are grateful to the City of Columbus Police Department, its investigators, and assisting law enforcement community. … As the case proceeds, we trust the justice system to hold the person responsible fully accountable.”
In a separate statement, Spencer Tepe’s brother-in-law Rob Misleh said, “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. We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world.”
McKee remains held in the Winnebago County Jail as arrangements are made for his transfer to Franklin County, where prosecutors will pursue the upgraded charges.
Editorial credit: Eric Glenn / Shutterstock.com