A Chicago vascular surgeon stands accused of traveling hundreds of miles to gun down his ex-wife and her new dentist husband in their Columbus home, leaving their two young children unharmed but orphaned.
Story Snapshot
- Dr. Michael David McKee, 39, arrested Jan. 10, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois, on two counts of murder for the Dec. 30, 2025, deaths of Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39.
- Two children, ages about 1 and 4, found alive in the home; family vows to protect them as justice proceeds.
- No forced entry or weapon at scene; surveillance video allegedly shows McKee near home during 2-5 a.m. killings.
- Columbus police welfare check triggered after Spencer missed work; double homicide confirmed, not murder-suicide.
- Prior April 2025 911 call from address clarified by family as party guest dispute, not spousal conflict.
Tragic Discovery in Columbus Neighborhood
Columbus police responded to a welfare check at 9:03 a.m. on Dec. 30, 2025, at the North 4th Street home in Weinland Park after Dr. Spencer Tepe failed to appear for work at Athens Dental Depot. An officer arrived at 9:22 a.m. but got no answer. A family friend called again at 9:57 a.m., hearing children crying inside without adult response. Police entered minutes later, spotting a body near a bed, and found Spencer and Monique Tepe dead from gunshot wounds on the second floor.
Accused killer Michael David McKee, charged in the deaths of Dr. Spencer and Monique Tepe, now faces two upgraded counts of aggravated murder with premeditation, according to Franklin County court records. McKee is scheduled to appear in Winnebago County court today at 1:30PM… pic.twitter.com/WcIKG4mPxb
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) January 12, 2026
Suspect Identified as Ex-Husband Surgeon
Dr. Michael David McKee, 39, Monique’s ex-husband and a Chicago vascular surgeon, faces two murder counts. Police issued a warrant on Jan. 10, 2026; authorities arrested him without incident in Rockford, Illinois, booking him into Winnebago County custody. Early January surveillance video captured a person of interest walking an alley near the home between 2-5 a.m., the suspected killing window. Media reports link this figure to McKee. No forced entry suggests the victims knew the assailant.
Monique, 39, worked in medical sales; she and Spencer married in 2021, building a home with two young children and a Goldendoodle. The family described their household as filled with warmth. McKee and Monique shared no children; complex divorce dynamics fuel the domestic-violence angle. Police rule out murder-suicide, launching a full homicide probe.
Family Seeks Justice for Orphaned Children
Two children, approximately 1 and 4 years old, remained alive and unharmed amid the horror. The Tepe family called McKee’s arrest an important step toward justice, vowing to surround and protect the children Monique and Spencer leave behind. They emphasize the couple’s devotion as parents. Community mourning grew with flowers at the renovated home in the Near East Side neighborhood.
Athens Dental Depot mourned Spencer, a punctual, well-regarded dentist. Colleagues coordinated the welfare check. Detectives Weiner and Miller lead the Columbus Homicide Unit investigation, gathering forensics, digital data, and witness statements. McKee awaits extradition to Ohio; no public motive details released, though prior relationship noted.
Prior 911 Call Sparks Scrutiny
An April 15, 2025, 2:45 a.m. 911 call from the address drew attention: a woman reported arguing with her man but declined aid. Spencer’s brother-in-law Rob Misleh clarified it involved a party guest, not the couple. This counters early domestic dispute framing. Columbus faces rising gun violence, but this case shocks due to victims’ professional status, domestic ties, and spared children in a seemingly safe urban spot.
Short-term, the children face trauma, needing counseling and guardianship; family steps up. Long-term, the homicide spotlights risks in high-conflict divorces among elites, urging better abuse screening despite no reported protective orders. McKee’s surgeon resources may fund strong defense; prosecutors eye video, ballistics, and interstate travel evidence. Franklin County handles trials.
https://youtu.be/8C8FJMH0lOQ?si=QRTSsLouPlptiDfy
Sources:
Ex-husband charged with murder in killing of Ohio dentist and his wife
Who is Michael David McKee, the man accused of killing ex-wife and her dentist husband in Ohio?
No suspect as police investigate murder of dentist, wife in their Weinland Park home
New video released of person of interest in mysterious murders of Ohio dentist, wife
