A cardiovascular surgeon has been hit with upgraded murder charges following the fatal shooting of his ex-wife and her new husband in their Ohio home. Michael David McKee, 39, now faces two counts of aggravated murder for the deaths of Monique Tepe, 39, and Spencer Tepe, 37.
A Brutal Discovery in Weinland Park
The couple were found gunned down in their Weinland Park, Columbus home in the early hours of 30 December. Spencer Tepe had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while Monique was shot once in the chest. Their one-year-old son and four-year-old daughter, along with the family dog, were discovered unharmed inside the property and are now in the care of relatives.
Police found no signs of forced entry and have not located the murder weapon. However, investigators did recover three 9mm shell casings at the scene. Authorities have stated they do not believe the incident was a murder-suicide.
From Divorce to Tragedy
Court records reveal a complex history between Monique and the accused. The pair were married briefly from August 2015, divorcing just seven months later in March 2016. In divorce documents, Monique cited 'incompatibility'. The separation agreement included a clause requiring Monique to repay McKee $1,281.59 for 'miscellaneous debt', with a stipulation for 23 percent interest if not paid by 1 July 2018.
The divorce also included a standard mutual temporary restraining order, prohibiting either party from harassing or harming the other. At the time of the divorce, McKee was working as a vascular surgeon in Virginia, while Monique lived in Ohio.
The Investigation and Arrest
Columbus Police identified a suspect through neighbourhood video surveillance. A statement of facts notes: 'The suspect was then tracked to a vehicle which arrived just prior to the homicides and left shortly after.' Detectives linked the vehicle to Michael McKee and located it in Rockford, Illinois, where they found evidence placing McKee in possession of the vehicle before and after the killings.
McKee was arrested without incident in Rockford and booked into the Winnebago County Jail on Saturday, 6 January. His mugshot was published on the county sheriff's office website. The upgraded charges of aggravated murder, filed on Monday, 8 January, mean McKee could face life in prison without parole. Ohio has not carried out an execution since 2018.
A Community in Mourning
The murders have devastated the tight-knit Weinland Park community. Friends and family described the Tepes as a warm, joyful couple devoted to their children. A small memorial of flowers and teddy bears accumulated outside their $700,000 home.
The charges were upgraded a day before a scheduled visitation and celebration of life for the couple in Columbus. Distressing police dispatch logs from the morning of 30 December reveal the moment a friend, Alexander Ditty, discovered Spencer's body, telling dispatchers 'he is laying next to the bed and there is blood.' The logs also note a baby could be heard crying in the background.
Columbus Police have stated the case remains active and ongoing, and no further information will be released at this time to protect the investigation.
