Police Identified Ex-Husband Suspect in Ohio Dentist and Wife’s Murders

A key detail in neighborhood surveillance helped investigators identify a suspect in the deaths of Ohio couple Spencer and Monique Tepe, who were found killed in their home on Dec. 30.

Court records show Columbus detectives focused on Michael David McKee, 39 — Monique’s ex-husband — after footage captured a vehicle believed to be his near the residence around the time investigators say the killings occurred. Detectives wrote that the car “arrived just prior to the homicides and left shortly after,” and they were able to link the vehicle to McKee. Authorities later located the car in Rockford, Illinois, and said they found evidence indicating McKee maintained ownership of it throughout the period in question.

McKee was arrested Saturday, Jan. 10, and charged with two counts of murder, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records. A warrant was issued earlier that day, and Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office records show he was booked shortly before noon local time. He is expected to be extradited to Franklin County, where a hearing is scheduled for Jan. 12.

Spencer and Monique were discovered after Spencer’s co-workers became concerned when he didn’t show up for work. One colleague tried for roughly three hours to reach him without success, according to 911 recordings. A friend of the couple also called 911 multiple times requesting a welfare check and told dispatchers he could hear the couple’s children — ages 1 and 4 — crying inside the home.

Police responded to the residence and pronounced Spencer and Monique dead at the scene, according to an incident report.

Nearly a week later, Columbus police released surveillance video of a person investigators said they wanted to identify. The footage shows a hooded figure with their face obscured walking calmly through a snowy alley near the couple’s home around the estimated time of death, police said. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether the person in the video is McKee.

The Franklin County Forensic Science Center said the apparent causes of death were gunshot wounds. Final determinations have not been released while additional information — including toxicology results — is still pending.

In the aftermath of the killings, family members remembered Spencer and Monique for their warmth and kindness, and for building a life they described as “rooted in love.” Spencer’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh, said the family is devastated and determined to see the case pursued through the justice system.