Neighbor of Ex-Husband Charged with the Murders of Ohio Dentist and His Wife Speaks Out, Says Situation Is ‘Shocking’

A neighbor of Michael David McKee — the man charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, and her husband, Spencer Tepe — is speaking out about what she called a “shocking” tragedy.

McKee, 39, was arrested and charged on Saturday, Jan. 10, after Monique, 39, and Spencer, 37, were fatally shot inside their home in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 30. Their two young children were later found physically unharmed.

After the arrest, neighbor Gera-Lind Kolarik told ABC 7 Chicago, “He did not seem like somebody who would do something like this.”

“I sat down with this man and talked with him at the pool, barbecuing, about what a beautiful day it is — and then he turns out to be [charged as] a killer. It’s kind of shocking,” Kolarik added. McKee has not been convicted of any crimes.

Court records show McKee was booked shortly before 12 p.m. local time. He is expected to remain in custody until authorities extradite him to Franklin County, where he is scheduled for a hearing on Monday, Jan. 12.

How authorities say the case unfolded

Monique and Spencer Tepe were found dead after friends and co-workers placed several 911 calls requesting a welfare check.

One co-worker raised concerns after trying to contact Spencer multiple times. Another friend, calling from outside the couple’s home, told dispatchers he could hear their children — ages 4 and 1 — crying inside, according to 911 call recordings.

Investigators say they identified McKee as a suspect by using neighborhood video surveillance to connect a vehicle to him. Authorities also said they found evidence indicating McKee was “in possession of the vehicle prior to and after the homicides.”

The Franklin County coroner’s office said the apparent causes of death were gunshot wounds. Official causes of death have not yet been released, pending additional details, including toxicology results.

Police said Monique and Spencer were pronounced dead at the scene.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help support the couple’s two young children.