At a Glance
- A firearm seized from Illinois vascular surgeon Michael McKee is believed to be the weapon used in the Dec. 30 killings of dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique.
- McKee, the ex-husband of Monique Tepe, was arrested 400 miles from the crime scene in Rockford, Illinois, and charged with two counts of aggravated murder.
- Surveillance video placed McKee’s vehicle near the couple’s Columbus home just before the murders; no forced entry was found at the scene.
- Why it matters: The arrest offers the first clear forensic link in what police call a “targeted, domestic-violence-related attack” that left two children orphaned.
Columbus police have matched a firearm taken from the Illinois property of vascular surgeon Michael McKee to the fatal shootings of dentist Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, whose bodies were discovered in their Columbus home on Dec. 30.
The Seized Weapon
Speaking to News Of Los Angeles, Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant confirmed that multiple firearms were confiscated after McKee’s Saturday arrest. One of those weapons, she said, is “thought to be the murder weapon.”
- No ballistics details were released.
- All firearms are now undergoing forensic testing.
- Bryant declined to specify how many guns were found.
Timeline of the Attack
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Michael McKee and Monique marry. |
| 2017 | Couple divorces citing “incompatibility” after seven months of cohabitation. |
| 2020 | Spencer and Monique move into the Columbus home. |
| Dec. 30, 2024 | Friends find the couple dead; children unharmed. |
| Jan. 4, 2025 | McKee arrested in Rockford, Illinois. |
| Jan. 6, 2025 | McKee appears in Illinois court, pleads not guilty via public defender. |
Domestic Violence History
Family members told News Of Los Angeles that the seven-month marriage was marked by emotional abuse.
“It was so impactful that she had to leave the relationship so abruptly and get out because she was so worried,” said Rob Misleh, Spencer Tepe’s brother-in-law.
Columbus police records show no prior calls to the Tepe home involving McKee.
The Arrest
Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives took McKee into custody without incident at his Rockford property, 400 miles from Columbus. Surveillance footage had captured his vehicle near the victims’ residence “just before the murders,” Bryant said.
- McKee is listed as a vascular surgeon at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center.
- He is held at Winnebago County Jail pending extradition to Ohio.
- Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said extradition will happen but gave no date.
Crime Scene Details
- No signs of forced entry were found.
- Spencer Tepe’s body was discovered in a pool of blood beside his bed.
- The couple’s two young children were physically unharmed; their cries were audible on the 911 call.
Investigation Status
Chief Bryant characterized the killings as “a targeted, domestic-violence-related attack” but would not discuss motive or entry method to avoid compromising the case.
“This being such an ongoing and very fluid investigation, it’s really important for us to make sure that we share the things that aren’t going to compromise the case,” she explained.
Once extradited, McKee will face formal aggravated-murder charges in Franklin County.
Community Reaction
“We have two little children who have lost their parents, a family that will never be the same,” Mayor Ginther told News Of Los Angeles. “I’m going to ask the people of Columbus to continue to lift up and pray for this family.”
