Nearly ten days after the fatal shooting of an Ohio dentist and his wife shocked their community, authorities have announced an arrest that investigators say marks a major development in the case.
Police confirmed that Michael David McKee, 39, was taken into custody on Saturday and charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39. The couple was found dead inside their Columbus, Ohio, home late last month.
McKee, who is Monique Tepe’s former husband, is currently being held in Illinois as the legal process moves forward.
Timeline of the Killings
Concern for the Tepe family first surfaced on the morning of December 30, when Spencer Tepe failed to show up for work. According to emergency call transcripts, his employer contacted authorities just before 9 a.m., explaining that Spencer was dependable and never missed work without notice.
The caller told dispatchers they were increasingly alarmed, especially because attempts to reach Spencer’s wife were also unsuccessful.
About an hour later, a close friend went to the Tepe residence to conduct a wellness check. In a distressing 911 call, the friend reported finding Spencer Tepe lying near his bed in a pool of blood. The couple’s two young children could be heard crying in the background during the call.
Police arrived shortly afterward and pronounced both Spencer and Monique dead at 10:11 a.m., according to official reports. Authorities later confirmed that the children were physically unharmed.
The Franklin County Coroner’s Office determined the preliminary cause of death for both victims to be homicide by gunshot wounds.
Who Were Spencer and Monique Tepe?
Spencer Tepe was a dentist practicing in Athens, Ohio, where he specialized in comprehensive dental care and implant therapy. He was fluent in Spanish and known for his dedication to serving patients from diverse backgrounds, according to family members.
Monique Tepe had experience in early childhood education and was remembered by loved ones as a devoted mother who found joy in baking and caring for her family. In a statement, relatives described her as warm, patient, and deeply loving.
Together, the couple built what family members called a joyful life centered on travel, laughter, and raising their two children. They also shared their home with a beloved Goldendoodle.
“We are heartbroken beyond words,” the family said, adding that while justice cannot erase the loss, they remain committed to honoring Spencer and Monique by protecting the future of their children.
Following McKee’s arrest, the family described it as an important step toward accountability and thanked law enforcement and the community for their support.
What Investigators Have Revealed
Police believe the killings occurred sometime between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. During that window, a security camera captured footage of an unidentified individual walking through an alley near the couple’s home.
The video reportedly shows a person wearing light-colored pants and a dark hooded jacket. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether McKee is the individual seen in the footage.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant also addressed concerns about the delay between the initial call from Spencer’s employer and the later discovery of the bodies. She explained that an officer who responded early in the morning mistakenly went to the wrong address, despite following standard procedures.
Who Is Michael McKee?
Michael McKee and Monique Tepe were married in 2015 and divorced two years later. They did not have children together.
McKee is a licensed medical doctor specializing in vascular surgery. Records show he holds active medical licenses in California and Illinois and previously practiced in Nevada before that license expired. He graduated from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 2014.
At the time of his arrest, McKee was living in Chicago and had been associated with OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois. The healthcare provider has stated it is cooperating fully with authorities.
Public records indicate McKee has no history of professional discipline or malpractice claims, and his criminal record appears limited to traffic-related offenses.
He is currently being held at the Winnebago County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. It remains unclear whether he has retained legal counsel.
What Comes Next
As the investigation continues, prosecutors are expected to outline their case against McKee in the coming weeks. For now, the community remains focused on remembering Spencer and Monique Tepe—not for the tragedy that ended their lives, but for the love, kindness, and family they leave behind.