At a Glance
- Michael David McKee was arrested Jan. 10 in Illinois for the Dec. 30 shooting deaths of his ex-wife Monique Tepe and her husband Spencer.
- Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant called the killings a “targeted” and “domestic violence-related attack.”
- Surveillance footage placed McKee’s vehicle near the couple’s Ohio home while their 4- and 1-year-old children slept nearby.
- Why it matters: The case highlights how past domestic abuse can escalate to deadly violence years after a divorce.
Columbus police say they have solved the double murder that left two young children orphaned just feet from where their parents were gunned down on Dec. 30.
Investigators arrested Michael David McKee, 46, in Rockford, Ill., on Jan. 10, alleging he fatally shot his ex-wife Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband Spencer Tepe, 37, inside the couple’s North Fourth Street home.
Surveillance Footage Led to Arrest
A trail of security video helped officers track McKee nearly 500 miles from the crime scene.
- Cameras captured a vehicle registered to McKee circling the Tepes’ block during the estimated time of the shootings.
- Detectives matched the footage with license-plate readers along interstates leading west toward Illinois.
- U.S. Marshals took McKee into custody without incident outside a Rockford apartment complex.
He initially faced two counts of murder, but a Franklin County grand jury upgraded the charges to aggravated murder after reviewing evidence presented by prosecutors.
Domestic Violence History Emerges
Chief Bryant said the attack was “not random” and stemmed from a history of domestic abuse that began during McKee and Monique’s brief marriage.
The couple divorced almost a decade ago after less than two years together, family members told News Of Losangeles.
Rob Misleh, married to Spencer’s sister, said Monique lived in fear of her ex-husband.
“She was terrified of him,” Misleh said. “The emotional abuse she described changed her as a person.”
According to Misleh, Monique recounted multiple threats McKee allegedly made on her life, though she never obtained a restraining order. Court records show no prior charges filed against McKee for abuse or threats.
McKee’s public defender declined to comment on those allegations when contacted by News Of Losangeles.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec. 30, 2025 | Monique and Spencer Tepe shot around 3:15 a.m. while children sleep nearby |
| Jan. 2 | Columbus police publicly seek “person of interest” |
| Jan. 7 | Surveillance footage locates suspect vehicle |
| Jan. 10 | McKee arrested in Illinois on murder warrants |
| Jan. 13 | Charges upgraded to aggravated murder |
| Jan. 15 | Extradition hearing set for transfer to Ohio |
Court Proceedings Ahead
McKee waived extradition during a brief hearing in Winnebago County, Ill., and is expected to arrive in Columbus within 10 days.
His attorney told the judge he intends to plead not guilty once arraigned in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
Prosecutors have not yet said whether they will seek the death penalty.
The couple’s children are now in the care of Spencer’s sister and her husband, who have set up a GoFundMe campaign for funeral expenses and future childcare needs.
Investigators Remain Tight-Lipped
Despite the arrest, police have released few details about the actual crime scene.
- No murder weapon has been recovered; ballistic tests are pending.
- Investigators have not disclosed how many times the couple was shot.
- A motive has not been formally announced, though Chief Bryant reiterated the domestic-violence angle.
When asked if the killings were pre-meditated, Bryant replied only that “every indication shows this was planned.”
Support Services Available
The National Domestic Violence Hotline operates 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233 and offers help in more than 170 languages. Services are free and confidential.
