At a Glance
- Michael David McKee, 39, was arrested Jan. 10 on aggravated-murder charges for the Dec. 30 shooting deaths of Monique and Spencer Tepe in Columbus, Ohio.
- Court filings show McKee was married to Monique from August 2015 to June 2017 but lived with her only eight months; she cited “incompatibility” in the divorce.
- Surveillance video tracked a car that arrived before the killings and left after; police linked the vehicle to McKee and found evidence he had used it.
- Why it matters: The slaying of the parents of a 4- and 1-year-old, committed feet from the children, has now led to charges against a former spouse with no publicly disclosed motive.
Columbus-area investigators have arrested Michael David McKee, 39, on two counts of aggravated murder for the Dec. 30 shootings that claimed the lives of dentist Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband Spencer Tepe, 37, inside the couple’s home while their two young children were present.
The Arrest and Charges
McKee was taken into custody Saturday, Jan. 10, after neighborhood surveillance footage captured a car that appeared shortly before the couple’s deaths and sped away minutes later, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by News Of Losangeles. Detectives traced the vehicle to McKee and, upon locating it, found evidence that he had been “in possession of the vehicle prior to and after the homicides,” the complaint states.
He was initially charged with two counts of murder; those counts were upgraded to aggravated murder on Jan. 11. McKee appeared in an Illinois courtroom Monday, Jan. 12, clad in yellow jail clothing and looking grim, court officials told News Of Losangeles. His attorney announced plans to enter not-guilty pleas and waived extradition, clearing the way for his transfer to Ohio as early as this week.
A Brief, Troubled Marriage
Court records show McKee and Monique wed in August 2015 and separated in March 2016 after only eight months under the same roof. Monique filed for divorce in June 2017, citing “incompatibility,” and the marriage was formally dissolved that same month. The pair had no children together, and the filings contain no allegations of violence.
The Crime Scene
Monique and Spencer were found fatally shot just feet from their 4- and 1-year-old children, who were physically unharmed. Extended family members told News Of Losangeles they are struggling with how to explain the tragedy to the youngsters. Authorities have not released any suspected motive or indicated whether the Tepes had expressed concerns about McKee before the attack.
What Comes Next
With McKee’s extradition approved, prosecutors in Franklin County, Ohio, are expected to present the case to a grand jury. If indicted, McKee will be arraigned on the aggravated-murder counts and could face additional charges tied to firearm specifications and the presence of children during the alleged offense.
Key Takeaways
- Surveillance video and vehicle tracking led police from the crime scene to McKee in less than two weeks.
- The accused killer’s prior marriage to one victim lasted under two years and ended amicably on paper.
- Investigators have not disclosed a motive, leaving relatives and neighbors searching for answers.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org for 24/7 confidential support in more than 170 languages.
