Ex-Husband Charged with Murder, Over a Week After Ohio Dentist and Wife Were Found Slain in Their Home Near Their Children

After an Ohio couple was found slain inside their home, the woman’s ex-husband is now facing murder charges.

Monique and Spencer Tepe were discovered fatally shot in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 30. The couple’s two young children were found physically unharmed and have since been placed in the care of extended family.

Michael David McKee was arrested on Saturday, Jan. 10, and is charged with two counts of murder, according to Franklin County Municipal Court documents.

A warrant was issued earlier that day for McKee’s arrest. Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office records show McKee, 39, was booked shortly before noon local time.

He is expected to remain in custody there until authorities extradite him to Franklin County. Court records indicate he is scheduled for a hearing on Monday, Jan. 12.

Spencer’s co-workers and a friend placed multiple 911 calls requesting a welfare check after he didn’t show up for work. They grew concerned when one co-worker said they tried unsuccessfully to reach him for about three hours, according to 911 call recordings.

A friend who called 911 from outside the residence told dispatchers he could hear the children—ages 4 and 1—crying inside.

Nearly a week after the killings, Columbus police released surveillance footage of a person they said investigators wanted to identify.

The video showed a hooded figure with their face obscured, walking calmly through a snowy alley near the couple’s home around the time investigators believe the Tepes were killed, police said in an earlier update.

During a later review of neighborhood surveillance video, investigators identified a suspect and traced the person to a car that arrived before the deaths and left shortly afterward, according to a complaint.

Authorities tracked the vehicle and connected it to McKee. After locating the car, police said they found evidence indicating McKee was in possession of the vehicle both before and after the homicides, the complaint states.

The Office of Coroner Nathaniel R. Overmire at the Franklin County Forensic Science Center said the apparent causes of death were gunshot wounds. An official cause of death has not yet been released for either victim, pending additional details needed for the coroner’s determination, including toxicology results, the office explained.

In an incident report, the Columbus Division of Police said Monique and Spencer were pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement following the killings, the couple’s family remembered them for their warmth, kindness, and commitment to building a life “rooted in love.”

“They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others,” the statement said. “We are heartbroken beyond words,” the family added, noting they are committed to seeing the case brought “fully and fairly” to justice.

A GoFundMe has been set up to assist the couple’s two children.