Monique Tepe and Her Ex Separated After 8 Months of Marriage. Nearly 10 Years Later, He’s Charged with Murdering Her and Husband

The man accused in the killings of an Ohio dentist and his wife was previously married to one of the victims for less than two years.

Michael David McKee, 39, has been arrested and charged in connection with the Dec. 30 deaths of Monique and Spencer Tepe in Columbus, Ohio.

Court records show Monique Tepe, 39, and McKee married in August 2015. The documents indicate they lived together for about eight months before separating in March 2016. Monique later filed for divorce in June 2017, citing incompatibility.

Monique and Spencer Tepe, 37, were found shot to death inside their home, just feet from their two young children, ages 4 and 1. The children were not physically injured. Family members have said they are now facing the painful task of explaining what happened to them.

Police have not publicly identified a motive for the killings, and it is unclear whether the couple had any prior concerns about McKee before the shooting.

McKee was initially charged with two counts of murder after his arrest on Saturday, Jan. 10. Investigators said neighborhood surveillance footage helped them identify a suspect and trace a vehicle that arrived shortly before the deaths and left soon after, according to a criminal complaint. Authorities later linked the vehicle to McKee and said evidence showed he was in possession of it before and after the homicides.

The charges were later upgraded to aggravated murder, according to a Jan. 11 court filing.

McKee appeared in an Illinois court on Monday, Jan. 12. His attorney said he plans to plead not guilty. McKee also waived extradition, clearing the way for him to be returned to Ohio to face the charges. The Rockford Register Star reported that he appeared in court wearing a yellow jumpsuit and looked grim. The Columbus Dispatch reported he could be transferred back to Ohio as early as this week.