At a Glance
- Vascular surgeon Michael McKee was indicted on four counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of ex-wife Monique Tepe and her husband Spencer.
- The grand jury added a charge of aggravated burglary, alleging McKee broke into the couple’s Columbus home.
- Prosecutors say the weapon was either an automatic firearm or a silencer.
- Why it matters: The indictment moves the high-profile case toward trial as Ohio prepares to extradite McKee from Illinois.
A Franklin County grand jury has formally charged Michael McKee with the murders of his ex-wife Monique Tepe and her husband Spencer, escalating the legal battle ahead of his return to Ohio.
New Charges Filed
Court records obtained by News Of Los Angeles show the grand jury returned four aggravated-murder counts plus one count of aggravated burglary on Friday, Jan. 16. The indictment alleges McKee used an automatic firearm or a silencer during the killings.
The couple was shot to death inside their Columbus residence on Dec. 30, while their children-ages 4 and 1-slept in nearby bedrooms. The attack occurred only days after Monique and Spencer celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary.
Detectives linked McKee to the crime through neighborhood surveillance footage. An arrest warrant states the video captured a vehicle arriving shortly before the homicides and departing soon after. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said investigators placed McKee in possession of that same car both before and after the shootings.
Authorities tracked the vehicle 450 miles to Illinois, where McKee was arrested on Jan. 10.
Extradition Waived
During a Jan. 12 court appearance in Winnebago County, McKee remained silent. Assistant Public Defender Carrie Poirier told the judge her client would waive extradition and intended to plead not guilty to the two prior aggravated-murder counts. The new indictment supersedes those earlier charges.
Police said McKee invoked his Fifth Amendment right when questioned by detectives. He has not made any public statement regarding the allegations.
Background
McKee and Monique met as students at Ohio State University and married in 2015. Their divorce was finalized in 2017 after less than two years of marriage. Spencer Tepe, a dentist, later became Monique’s husband and adoptive father to the couple’s two young children.
Ethan R. Coleman reported that the indictment paves the way for Ohio prosecutors to bring McKee back from Illinois to face trial. No court dates have been set.
Key Takeaways
- Four-count aggravated-murder indictment adds burglary and weapons allegations.
- Prosecutors will seek extradition after McKee waived his right to fight it.
- The Tepe children, unharmed, are now at the center of custody proceedings.
