In a case that has gripped Columbus, Ohio, and drawn national attention, 39-year-old Dr. Michael David McKee appeared in a Winnebago County, Illinois courtroom this week as the ex-husband of a slain Ohio woman and the accused killer of both her and her husband — a respected Ohio dentist.

McKee, a Chicago-area physician, was charged with multiple counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of his former wife, Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37. The couple was found shot to death in their Columbus home onDecember 30, 2025.

During Monday’s court appearance, McKee made a brief statement, invoked his right to counsel, and waived extradition to Ohio, where he will be formally indicted and prosecuted for the murders.

This investigation examines the court proceedings, the background of the victims and the accused, law enforcement’s case so far, the emotional toll on family members, and the unresolved questions that continue to fuel this tragic story.

A Quiet Courtroom, a Brief Statement

On Monday, McKee appeared wearing a standard jail uniform, standing silently before the judge in Winnebago County Justice Center. According to court reporters, he answered when his name was called but otherwise declined to make any substantive remarks during the brief hearing.

His attorney informed the court that McKee intends to plead not guilty to the charges once he reaches Ohio. McKee’s waiver of extradition means he will be transferred to the jurisdiction where prosecutors are preparing to formally present their case.

Though McKee’s spoken words were minimal, his decision to waive extradition — effectively speeding his transfer to Ohio — signals that he and his defense team are preparing for a lengthy legal battle ahead. It also ends the procedural hold-up that may have delayed the start of formal proceedings in the capital city.

The Fatal Morning in Columbus

The deaths of the Tepes were discovered after Spencer failed to show up for work at his dental practice in Athens, Ohio, a college town about 75 miles southeast of Columbus. His coworkers reportedly became worried, having not heard from him in the morning hours.

A wellness check was requested at the Tepe home in the Weinland Park neighborhood of Columbus, and officers found the couple’s bodies upstairs with apparent gunshot wounds. There were no obvious signs of forced entry, no weapon recovered at the scene, and nothing appeared to have been stolen — all details that raised immediate alarm for investigators.

The couple’s two young children, ages 4 and 1, were found alive and unharmed inside the home. They have since been placed in the care of extended family members.

Who Was Monique and Who Was Spencer?

Friends and family have described the Tepes as a loving, generous couple with deep roots in their community.

, originally Monique Sabaturski, was widely remembered as a kind, thoughtful mother who loved baking and cherished family life.

Dr. Spencer Tepe, a graduate of Ohio State University and a member of the American Dental Association, was known not only for his professional dedication but also for his mentorship and involvement in youth organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters.

In statements released through family representatives, relatives stressed the couple’s strong marriages and devotion to each other, with one family member saying their lives “were full of love, joy and deep connection to others.”

A Decade-Old Marriage, Renewed Horror

Monique and McKee were married in 2015 and divorced in 2017, according to court records; the split was reportedly due to “incompatibility.”

For years, the divorce appeared to be long behind both parties, with McKee living and working in several different states, most recently Illinois. No public records suggested ongoing litigation or hostility between them in the nearly decade since their split.

That long passage of time has complicated speculation around motive. Law enforcement officials have not released an official motive, and prosecutors have remained tight-lipped about what evidence they plan to present.

How McKee Became the Prime Suspect

Investigators made the arrest after tracking surveillance video that showed a vehicle — later linked to McKee — arriving in the Tepes’ neighborhood shortly before the estimated time of the murders and leaving soon afterward.

This, combined with forensic work and a multi-state manhunt, led to McKee’s arrest on January 10 in Rockford, Illinois, without incident.

Authorities subsequently upgraded the charges to premeditated aggravated murder, a classification that suggests prosecutors believe they can prove the killings were planned in advance, not impulsive.

Evidence and Unanswered Questions

Despite charges being filed, many key questions remain unanswered:

No murder weapon has been publicly disclosed. Police have not announced the recovery of a firearm or ballistic evidence directly tying McKee to the shooting.

No official motive has been provided. Prosecutors and detectives have declined to explain why McKee allegedly targeted his ex-wife and her husband.

Signs of forced entry are absent. The lack of forced entry raises questions about whether the victims knew their attacker or how he gained access.

Former law enforcement officials and analysts have noted that cases involving no forced entry and no theft often point to a targeted crime with personal connections, but until more evidence is revealed, these remain informed theories, not confirmed facts.

Family and Community Reaction

The discovery of the Tepes’ deaths stunned friends, coworkers, and neighbors. A local city resident who lived near McKee recounted disbelief, saying McKee never seemed like someone capable of extreme violence. “He did not seem like somebody who would do something like this,” the neighbor told ABC 7 Chicago.

Meanwhile, family members issued statements of grief and appreciation for law enforcement’s work. “This arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer,” relatives said, also emphasizing their focus on caring for the young children left behind.

Children in the Midst of a Murder Case

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this case is the presence of two young children at the scene — children who, investigators say, were unharmed but found alone with their deceased parents.

Law enforcement has been cautious to protect the well-being of these children, placing them with trusted family members and limiting public exposure.

Mental health professionals who have reviewed the case off-the-record say that early trauma and disruption to children’s lives following parental homicide can have lifelong effects; securing stable and loving care will be crucial as the case unfolds.

Next Steps: Extradition and Trial

With McKee’s waiver of extradition, he is expected to be transported to Franklin County, Ohio, where prosecutors will take formal custody and arraign him on the aggravated murder charges.

Once in Ohio, McKee will face a full slate of court proceedings — including arraignment, pretrial hearings, and eventually, a trial where evidence will be presented before a jury.

Due to the severity of the charges and the high profile nature of the victims, legal experts anticipate that the prosecution may seekthe most severe sentencing possible, including life in prison without parole upon conviction.

National Attention and Broader Discussion

The murders have ignited nationwide media coverage, not only due to the presumed relationship between the victims and the accused but also because of the mystery surrounding motive and evidence.

Criminal justice analysts have noted that cases involving former spouses often hinge onlong-buried grievances, jealousy, or unresolved conflict, yet the long gap between divorce and the murders here defies easy categorization.

Until prosecutors reveal more evidence — and potentially motive — the case remains both a procedural journey through America’s justice system and ahuman story of tragedy, unanswered questions, and community mourning.

Conclusion: A Community Awaits Justice

As Michael McKee prepares to stand trial in Ohio for the deaths of his ex-wife and her dentist husband, investigators, families, and a grieving community await answers. The courtroom in Winnebago County provided only a brief glimpse of the man at the center of this storm — his words limited, his face impassive.

But the case is far from over.

In the coming weeks and months, as evidence is laid bare in court, the nation will watch closely for explanations, accountability, and — if possible — closure for a community left shattered by violence that defied easy explanation.

And for the two small children caught in the crossfire of this tragedy, that justice cannot come soon enough.