Surgeon Faces Aggravated Murder Charges in Ohio Double Homicide
A cardiovascular surgeon stands accused of a brutal double murder following a history of alleged domestic abuse and threats against his ex-wife, according to recently released court documents.
Chilling Details Emerge from Court Filings
Michael McKee, aged 39, was arrested on January 10 in Columbus, Ohio, for the alleged murders of his ex-wife Monique Tepe, 39, and her new husband Spencer Tepe, 37, a dentist. The tragic incident occurred on December 30 at the couple's residence in Weinland Park, a neighborhood located just outside downtown Columbus.
Court documents reveal disturbing patterns of behaviour that preceded the violence. According to witness statements filed with the court, McKee had repeatedly threatened Monique Tepe's life during their marriage from 2015 until after their divorce in 2017. One witness recounted to detectives that McKee had told his ex-wife 'he could kill her at any time and would find her and buy the house right next to her, that she would always be his wife.'
Another witness provided even more alarming testimony, alleging that the surgeon had strangled his ex-wife and 'forced unwanted sex' during their relationship. These allegations paint a troubling picture of escalating domestic abuse that culminated in the fatal shooting.
The Night of the Tragedy
Investigators believe the couple were killed just before 4am on December 30, with their bodies discovered approximately six hours later. Monique Tepe suffered a single gunshot wound to her chest, while Spencer Tepe sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Remarkably, the couple's one-year-old son, four-year-old daughter, and family dog were all found unharmed inside the residence.
Police attention was drawn to the scene when Spencer Tepe failed to arrive at his dental practice that morning. Dr Mark Valrose, the practice owner, contacted authorities from his Florida vacation home to request a wellness check. Shortly thereafter, a friend named Alexander Ditty called emergency services reporting he could 'hear kids inside' and thought he heard one of them yelling. Minutes later, Ditty informed dispatchers he had discovered 'a body inside' lying next to a bed with blood visible.
Investigation Uncovers Suspicious Activity
Law enforcement officials uncovered surveillance camera footage allegedly showing McKee outside the Tepe residence on December 6, approximately three weeks before the fatal shootings. The couple had been away that weekend attending a Big Ten Championship Game in Indiana, with friends later telling investigators that Monique left the event early because she was upset about something involving McKee.
Further investigation revealed McKee had allegedly been driving a silver SUV with a stolen Ohio license plate sticker on the window. This vehicle was reportedly spotted multiple times near his ex-wife's home before the murders. The registration was allegedly linked to previous addresses where McKee had lived and a hospital where he previously worked.
An arrest affidavit obtained by the Columbus Dispatch noted that McKee's phone remained inactive at his Illinois hospital workplace for seventeen hours during the night of the killings, adding to the circumstantial evidence against him.
Arrest and Charges
Following a ten-day manhunt, McKee was arrested in Chicago, Illinois, and subsequently extradited to Ohio where he now faces four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary in Franklin County. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant confirmed that McKee had a firearm with him when apprehended, stating 'Multiple weapons were taken from the property of McKee, and there is a preliminary link to one of the weapons that ties it to the homicides.' She emphasised that this appeared to be 'a targeted attack' and 'a domestic violence-related attack.'
Family Reaction and Legal Proceedings
A relative of the victims told the Daily Mail that McKee's arrest came as 'absolutely not a shock' to the family, who had been anticipating it. They expressed relief that he had been apprehended, stating 'We are all breathing a bit of a sigh of relief, because they got him.'
Monique Tepe's divorce complaint, previously seen by the Daily Mail, described her relationship with McKee as 'incompatible,' though it did not detail the alleged abuse mentioned in later court documents.
Investigators ruled out murder-suicide after discovering 9mm shell casings at the crime scene. McKee remains in custody at Franklin County without bond as legal proceedings continue. The Daily Mail has reached out to his legal representation for comment but has not received a response at this time.
