A grand jury in Ohio has formally indicted an Illinois-based surgeon for the brutal double murder of his ex-wife and her new husband in their Columbus home last December, bringing a grim conclusion to a case that captivated the United States.
Charges and Arrest in a National Mystery
Court records reveal that a Franklin County grand jury charged Michael David McKee, 39, on 16 January with two counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary. The indictment specifies he used a firearm suppressor during the alleged crimes. McKee, a vascular surgeon who was living and working in Chicago, is accused of fatally shooting 39-year-old Monique Tepe and her husband, 37-year-old dentist Dr Spencer Tepe, on 30 December.
Authorities apprehended McKee in Rockford, Illinois, on 10 January. He waived his right to an extradition hearing and is currently being held. His next court appearance in Winnebago County, Illinois, is scheduled for 23 January. No attorney is yet listed for him in official documents.
Building the Case: Video, Vehicle, and Weapon
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant provided new details in a recent interview. She stated investigators now believe McKee is the individual seen walking down a dark alley near the Tepe residence on surveillance footage from the night of the killings. His vehicle was also identified travelling near the house.
Perhaps most crucially, Chief Bryant confirmed that a firearm recovered from McKee's Illinois home forensically matched evidence collected at the Columbus crime scene. The specific type of firearm used has not been publicly disclosed by officials.
A Community's Role in Solving the Crime
The case had initially puzzled detectives, as there were no obvious signs of forced entry at the home, no weapon was found there, and murder-suicide was ruled out. Notably, nothing was stolen, and the couple's two young children and their dog were left unharmed.
Chief Bryant emphasised the critical role public tips played in the investigation. She expressed gratitude for the community's response, stating that emails, phone calls, and messages to Columbus police provided vital information that led to an arrest. "We want to thank our community specifically for stepping up, reaching out, giving us the information and being open to sharing that with us," Bryant said. "It has been tremendous."
The hospital where McKee worked, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, has stated it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
