Doctor Slammed With Double Murder After Ex-Wife Slain

At a Glance

• Michael David McKee, 39, now faces two counts of premeditated aggravated murder in Ohio
• Victims: ex-wife Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband Spencer Tepe, 37, found shot dead Dec. 30
• Couple’s two young children were in the home unharmed
• McKee, a vascular surgeon licensed in California and Illinois, was arrested in Illinois and is awaiting transfer
• Why it matters: The case spotlights how domestic abuse can escalate to lethal violence years after divorce

A Chicago vascular surgeon has been charged with two counts of premeditated aggravated murder after his ex-wife and her new husband were found shot to death in their Columbus, Ohio, home while their two young children slept nearby.

Upgraded Charges in Ohio

Franklin County court records show Michael David McKee, 39, is now facing the most serious homicide charges available under Ohio law. He was arrested Saturday in Illinois and is expected to waive extradition for a speedy transfer to Ohio, according to Winnebago County Public Defender Carie Poirier.

McKee appeared Monday in a yellow Winnebago County jail suit, hands and feet chained, and plans to plead not guilty, Poirier told News Of Losangeles. He spoke only once-giving the judge his name-during the brief hearing.

The Victims

Monique and Spencer Tepe were discovered Dec. 30 after friends and co-workers grew alarmed when Spencer, a dentist, failed to show up for work. Around 10 a.m., a 911 caller reported seeing a body and blood inside the couple’s home.

• Time of death: believed to be between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
• Cause: apparent gunshot wounds, according to the police report
• Children: two youngsters found unharmed in the house
• Coroner: homicide determination is preliminary and not yet finalized

The Tepes married in January 2021 in Columbus. In her vows, Monique joked about “countless bad Bumble dates” before finding Spencer, saying “it was worth every cringing second because it led me to you.”

Family Reaction

Spencer Tepe’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh, told Daniel J. Whitman the family “quickly believed” McKee was responsible once they learned of the couple’s death.

> “He was an emotionally abusive person when they were together, that is all I know,” Misleh said, adding that McKee’s arrest is “an important step toward justice,” though nothing can undo the loss.

Investigation Details

Columbus police previously released surveillance video of a person of interest wearing a hooded jacket near the Tepes’ home the night of the killings. Officials declined to confirm whether McKee is the man in the footage, citing a need to protect the integrity of the case.

Investigators have not disclosed a motive for the shootings.

McKee’s Background

Online licensing records reviewed by News Of Losangeles show McKee:

• Graduated from Ohio State University College of Medicine in 2014
• Specializes in vascular surgery
• Holds active medical licenses in California and Illinois
• Previously licensed in Nevada; that license expired in June
• No history of medical malpractice or disciplinary actions

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois-more than 400 miles from Columbus-lists McKee as a vascular surgeon. A hospital spokesperson said the facility is “working with authorities.”

Timeline of Key Events

Next Steps

McKee remains in Winnebago County Jail while Ohio and Illinois authorities coordinate his transfer. Franklin County prosecutors have not set a date for his initial appearance in Ohio.

Key Takeaways

• Domestic abuse history can precede lethal violence long after separation
• The couple’s children, though physically unharmed, have lost both parents
• McKee’s medical career appears unblemished on paper, underscoring how abusers can hide in plain sight
• Police are still seeking a definitive motive and have not linked McKee to the hooded figure on surveillance footage