Ohio Dentist’s 1-Year-Old Was Likely Stuck in Crib For Hours As Parents Lay Slain Nearby

Monique Tepe, 37, and Spencer Tepe, 39, were found fatally shot inside their Columbus, Ohio, home after what investigators believe was a late-December double homicide that may have left the couple’s two small children inside the house for hours.

Police believe the killings occurred sometime between about 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., while the couple’s children — Emilia, who was 3 at the time, and Beckham, 1 — were likely asleep in their bedrooms, according to family members.

When Spencer’s friend arrived at the residence later that morning, concerned Spencer hadn’t shown up to work, he told a 911 dispatcher he could hear children crying inside. The friend, who asked not to be identified because of safety concerns for his family, called again in tears, saying he could see a body inside the home.

Rob Misleh — Spencer’s brother-in-law — says the family believes it was 17-month-old Beckham who was crying.

“[He] was in the crib right, and was unable to get out of the crib on his own and also it was at a time he would’ve been well awake by this time,” Misleh says, adding that the child likely hadn’t eaten for some time before police arrived.

The children had separate bedrooms, Misleh says, and the family believes they did not witness the violence.

“From the time frame that we know, 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., [when the murders took place], the kids would’ve been in their beds so we assume that not they did not see anything,” he adds.

The children are now with relatives, family members say, but are too young to fully understand what happened.

“I really don’t think that a 4-year-old can grasp [what] is hard for us to even grasp,” Misleh says. “It’s going to be years and years of processing.”

Spencer’s cousin, Audrey Mackie, says the family is learning in real time how to talk with Emilia about the loss.

“If [Emilia] wants to talk about it — we are to encourage that,” Mackie says, adding that relatives have been working with professionals and using resources — including children’s books — to help guide the conversations.

A joyful Christmas, then a devastating loss

The couple was killed just days after Christmas, family members say. Misleh and his wife, Madeleine Misleh — Spencer’s sister — describe their last holiday together as a happy one.

Madeleine, 35, a fashion designer, created princess dresses for Emilia and other nieces, and Spencer was proud of her work.

“My brother has always been the biggest fan of my art,” she says. “He was always proud.”

But days later, the family was left grappling with the shock of the killings — and questions about who would want to harm the couple.

Investigation and arrest

The case sparked an intense, multi-day search for a suspect. Police have shared few details publicly, but did release surveillance footage of a person of interest seen walking near the Tepes’ home around the time investigators believe the murders occurred.

After asking the public for tips, investigators identified a suspect the family says they believe is responsible: 39-year-old Michael David McKee, who was briefly married to Monique about a decade ago.

Misleh says the family learned Monique had described that relationship to friends as emotionally abusive and threatening.

McKee was arrested outside a Chick-fil-A in Rockford, Illinois — roughly 450 miles from Columbus — authorities said. He has been indicted on aggravated murder and burglary charges and is awaiting extradition to Ohio.

An Illinois public defender representing McKee said he plans to plead not guilty to the murder charges. He has not indicated a plea on the burglary charge following his first court appearance.

Remembering “Spence and Mo”

As relatives and friends mourn, they say Spencer and Monique were known for their warmth and generosity.

Spencer was often the one in charge of music at gatherings and had officiated several weddings — something Misleh says reflected how deeply people trusted him.

Monique, who earned a degree in early childhood education, worked with young children before later becoming a stay-at-home parent. Family members say she loved baking and was fiercely competitive when it came to board games.

Mackie says a former student from around 15 years ago reached out after the killings made national headlines, sharing how much Monique had impacted their life — a message she says speaks to who Monique was.

“They loved fiercely,” Mackie says of the couple. “It’s a true loss.”

With reporting by Chris Spargo