Police say Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique, 39, were found shot to death in their Columbus, Ohio, home on the morning of December 30 after colleagues raised concern when Spencer did not arrive at work. Authorities arrested 39-year-old physician Michael David McKee in Rockford, Illinois; Winnebago County records show he faces two counts of murder and is scheduled for a court appearance Monday. The couple’s two young children, ages 4 and 1, were located unharmed in the house, and investigators are probing surveillance video and vehicle records that tie McKee to the scene. Officials say the probe remains active and several key questions about motive and precise movements are unresolved.
Key takeaways
- Victims: Spencer Tepe, 37, a Columbus dentist, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, were found dead in their Weinland Park home on December 30; their two children (ages 4 and 1) were unharmed.
- Suspect and charges: Michael David McKee, 39, a licensed physician with past vascular surgery affiliations, was arrested in Rockford, Illinois, and is charged with two counts of murder in Franklin County.
- Investigation links: Police released surveillance footage showing a person of interest in an alley near the couple’s home and say a vehicle linked to that footage is registered to McKee and was located in Rockford.
- Custody and court: McKee is held in Winnebago County, Illinois; court records show a Monday appearance is scheduled and extradition to Ohio would be needed for prosecution.
- Professional background: McKee holds or held medical licenses in California and Illinois and previously in Nevada (expired June 2025); records show no public disciplinary history in the cited states.
- Personal history: McKee and Monique were married in August 2015 and divorced in mid-2017; the marriage produced no children, and records show the divorce was finalized about a month after filing.
- Community reaction: Colleagues and friends memorialized the Tepes as a close, happy couple; a joint celebration of life was held Sunday, per an obituary.
Background
The Tepes lived north of downtown Columbus in the Weinland Park neighborhood with their two young children. Spencer, 37, worked as a dentist and was described by family and colleagues as respected and devoted; Monique, 39, had previously been married to Michael McKee from 2015 until their divorce in 2017. The home where the couple was found has become the focus of a homicide investigation that now spans state lines because of the suspect’s alleged movements.
Michael David McKee trained in medicine beginning at Ohio State University in 2005, interned there beginning in 2014, completed a residency at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in 2020 and a vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Maryland Medical Center in 2022. Licensing databases cited in public records list McKee as a physician licensed in California and Illinois and show a Nevada license that expired in June 2025; available records indicate no disciplinary actions in those jurisdictions.
The broader community context includes heightened attention to investigations that cross jurisdictions: when a case involves evidence or persons in multiple states, coordination among local and county law enforcement, sheriffs’ offices and prosecutors becomes central to establishing timelines, transferring custody and securing admissible evidence for potential trial.
Main event
On the morning of December 30, colleagues of Spencer called 911 after he failed to appear for work—a departure from his usual routine. Officers who subsequently checked the family residence discovered Spencer and Monique dead inside the couple’s home; the children were present but unharmed, police said. Columbus police later released surveillance video they described as showing a person of interest walking in the alley adjacent to the home during the timeframe investigators believe the killings occurred.
Investigators traced a vehicle shown on surveillance to Rockford, Illinois; local law enforcement located that vehicle and confirmed it was registered to Michael McKee, according to local media reporting and statements from police. Columbus police say McKee was taken into custody “without incident” in Rockford on Saturday and is now held in Winnebago County, Illinois. Winnebago County inmate records and the sheriff’s office statement indicate McKee faces two counts of murder.
Franklin County Municipal Court records list two counts of murder tied to the deaths in Columbus; those records also show that extradition from Illinois to Ohio would be required for formal arraignment in Franklin County. CNN and local outlets report the suspect is scheduled to appear in Winnebago County court on Monday, though prosecutors and defense counsel details remain sparse in public filings.
Analysis & implications
This case highlights the investigative complexities when alleged criminal acts, potential evidence and a suspect span multiple states. Law-enforcement cooperation across jurisdictions typically requires coordinating warrants, transferring custody and aligning prosecutorial strategy, which can lengthen pretrial timelines. The presence of surveillance footage and vehicle records can be pivotal for prosecutors; investigators will seek to corroborate those records with forensics, witness accounts and digital evidence to build an admissible case.
The suspect’s professional background as a licensed physician and former vascular surgery fellow adds public scrutiny but does not alter the legal presumption of innocence. Licensing databases and hospital affiliations are likely to be reviewed by investigators and, separately, by licensing boards if allegations implicate professional conduct; public records currently show no disciplinary history. Any administrative or employment actions by hospitals or credentialing bodies will follow internal review processes and, if warranted, formal complaints to state medical boards.
For the local community and the Tepes’ family, the immediate priorities include the safety and care of the two young children and the preservation of their privacy. Child-welfare authorities and family services customarily coordinate with law enforcement in such cases to assess needs and arrange protective measures. The broader implication for Weinland Park and Columbus is renewed attention to neighbor safety and the role of community reporting—colleagues who noted Spencer’s absence initiated the emergency response that uncovered the crime.
Comparison & data
| Item | Date / detail |
|---|---|
| Deaths discovered | Morning of December 30 (found after colleagues called 911) |
| Suspect arrested | Taken into custody in Rockford, Illinois (reported in early January 2026) |
| Victims’ ages | Spencer 37; Monique 39 |
| Children | Ages 4 and 1 — found unharmed |
| McKee medical timeline | Med school 2005; intern 2014; residency completed 2020; fellowship 2020–2022; NV license expired June 2025 |
The table above summarizes the publicly reported timeline elements and biographical data investigators have cited. These items will be scrutinized in court filings and discovery; dates and license records are drawn from public medical licensure databases and court records referenced by law enforcement and media.
Reactions & quotes
Family and friends held a joint celebration of life Sunday to memorialize the Tepes; an obituary and statements from loved ones emphasized the couple’s bond and their roles as parents. Local media reported relatives saying the pair had a “beautiful, strong and deeply happy relationship,” a phrase used by those close to the family.
“They shared a beautiful, strong and deeply happy relationship.”
Family statement, obituary
The hospital where McKee most recently worked issued a brief statement saying it was cooperating with authorities, a standard response when an employee is implicated in an active criminal investigation. Hospital cooperation typically ranges from providing personnel records to complying with subpoenas for email or access logs relevant to the probe.
“OSF is cooperating with authorities who will provide any further information.”
OSF statement to media
Unconfirmed
- Whether McKee is the person captured in the released surveillance footage—Columbus police have not publicly confirmed identity from the video.
- The motive and precise timeline of movements leading to the couple’s deaths remain under investigation and have not been established publicly.
- Details about the type of court hearing McKee will attend Monday and whether formal extradition paperwork has been filed in public court records are not yet confirmed.
Bottom line
Investigators have linked a vehicle and surveillance footage to a Rockford-registered vehicle and to Michael David McKee, who is now in custody facing two murder counts in connection with the deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe. The case is moving across state lines, and significant investigative steps—evidence collection, witness interviews, forensic testing and formal extradition—remain ahead before prosecutors present a formal case in Ohio.
For the Tepes’ children and extended family, the next days will be critical for protective steps and for access to services; for the legal system, the case will test interjurisdictional procedures and the strength of evidence connecting the suspect to the scene. Readers should expect official updates from Columbus police, Winnebago County authorities and Franklin County prosecutors as filings and hearings proceed.
Sources
- CNN — national news reporting and court/agency records cited