Introduction
A former surgeon has been charged with the murders of his ex-wife and her husband in Columbus, Ohio. Video evidence and a 900-mile trip from Rockford, Illinois, to Ohio were key to the investigation. Authorities say the killings occurred on December 30, 2023, after the couple was left alone at home.
At a Glance
- Michael McKee faces four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary.
- He allegedly drove 900 miles round-trip in less than 17 hours, spending 14 hours on the road.
- The murders took place at the Tepe home on December 30, 2023, after the victims were away at a football game.
- McKee was arrested on January 10, 2024, extradited to Ohio on January 20, and is held at Franklin County Jail.
- The case highlights a domestic-violence tragedy that has drawn national attention.
The Crime Scene and Evidence
On the night of December 6, 2023, surveillance footage captured McKee entering the curtilage-the area surrounding-Spencer and Monique Tepe’s Columbus home. The footage shows him walking down the back alleyway that provides access to the property. A few hours later, he left the scene while the Tepes were away.
The Tepes were attending the Big Ten Championship football game in Indiana with other couples. During the evening, Monique excused herself and returned to the hotel room, prompting Spencer to later tell a friend that she was “upset about something involving her ex-husband and he was going back to the hotel.”
Investigators noted that McKee was not scheduled to work at the Rockford hospital on December 6, the same day he was seen at the Tepe home. He left his phone at work on December 29, traveled to Columbus, and retrieved it 17 hours later, according to the timeline.
On December 30, McKee returned to the Tepe residence. Authorities allege he shot Monique, 39, and Spencer, 37, while their children slept just feet away. A search of McKee’s property uncovered multiple weapons, including one that Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said was similar to the suspect weapon.
> “The weapon we found at Mr. McKee’s property is similar to the weapon investigators suspect was used to kill Monique and Spencer,” said Chief Elaine Bryant.
The Long Drive
McKee’s journey from Rockford to Columbus spanned a total of 900 miles. The round-trip is seven hours by car, meaning he drove at least 14 hours during the 17-hour span, according to investigators. The timeline shows he left Illinois on December 29 and returned to Ohio the following day.
The distance and speed of the trip raise questions about how McKee could have committed the murders and then returned to his workplace without raising suspicion. The evidence suggests a premeditated plan that involved meticulous planning and execution.
Legal Proceedings
McKee was arrested on January 10, 2024, after investigators linked him to a vehicle captured on neighborhood surveillance cameras arriving near the crime scene before the murders and leaving shortly after. He was indicted by a grand jury in connection with the deaths.
He made his first court appearance at the Winnebago County Courthouse on January 12, where he waived his extradition hearing. His attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf to the charges. McKee was extradited to Ohio on January 20 and is currently housed at Franklin County Jail.
During his appearance, McKee was seen remotely from the Franklin County Jail as his attorney entered the plea. He has not spoken with detectives in Illinois, invoking his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.
Background of the Parties
McKee and Monique met at Ohio State University and married in 2015. They moved to Virginia for McKee’s medical residency, but after seven months of marriage, they separated. Monique returned to Ohio, and she filed for divorce in May 2017, citing incompatibility. A judge granted the divorce the following month.
Spencer Tepe, a dentist, was married to Monique from 2012 until her death. The couple had two children together. Their deaths have left a community shocked and grieving.
Domestic-Violence Resources
The case has prompted discussions about domestic-violence prevention. Individuals experiencing domestic-violence can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Calls are toll-free, confidential, and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Key Takeaways
- McKee’s 900-mile trip and the timing of the murders suggest premeditation.
- Surveillance footage places him at the scene before the victims left for a football game.
- The discovery of similar weapons at his property ties him to the crime.
- He has pleaded not guilty and faces a lengthy legal battle.
- The tragedy underscores the importance of domestic-violence resources and community vigilance.
Conclusion
The investigation into the murders of Monique and Spencer Tepe continues as authorities work to build a case against Michael McKee. The evidence points to a calculated plan that culminated in a domestic-violence tragedy, leaving families and the community in mourning.
