A vascular surgeon from Ohio has been charged with murder following the shocking discovery of his ex-wife and her new husband dead inside their Columbus home.
Charges Filed in Tragic Double Homicide
Michael McKee, 39, was charged on Saturday with two counts of aggravated murder. The charges are connected to the deaths of his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, Spencer Tepe, 37. McKee, who was reportedly listed as a surgeon at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, was arrested in Rockford, Illinois.
The couple was found deceased in their Columbus residence on December 30. Police responded after a 911 call from Spencer Tepe's concerned work associate, who noted his reliable colleague had failed to show up and could not be reached. Authorities discovered the Tepes with multiple gunshot wounds. Tragically, the incident occurred between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m., but the couple's two young children, aged one and four, were found unharmed at the scene.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Police have released neighborhood surveillance footage showing a person in a dark hood walking down an alley near the Tepe home around the time of the killings. While a motive has not been officially released by authorities, court records provide some background. Monique Tepe married McKee in 2015 but filed for divorce in 2017, citing incompatibility.
McKee made a brief court appearance in Illinois on Monday. His public defender, Carrie Poirier, stated he intends to plead not guilty and is waiving his right to an extradition hearing to expedite his return to Ohio to face the charges. He is expected to be extradited soon.
A Family and Community in Mourning
The loss has devastated the family. In a GoFundMe campaign, Spencer Tepe's cousin, Audrey Mackie, described him as "the soul of every gathering—grand in personality, yet calm, steady, and kind." She remembered Monique as "warm with a strength that inspired everyone around her."
Mackie added that together, the couple was a remarkable and solid pair with a bright future, utterly devoted to their two beautiful children. The community is now left to grapple with this senseless violence while supporting the young children left behind.
