On the early morning of December 30, 2025, an incident that would grip Columbus, Ohio with shock and sorrow began to unfold. When Dr. Spencer Tepe, a local dentist known for his community involvement, failed to show up for work, colleagues grew concerned. They called for a welfare check, and what authorities discovered inside the couple’s Weinland Park home was devastating: both Spencer and his wife, Monique Tepe, were found shot to death on the second floor.
Police responded to multiple reports that morning, including a safety check from a friend and a 911 call reporting the sight of a body inside the house. Officers found the couple with gunshot wounds; preliminary investigations ruled the case a double homicide, not a murder-suicide, as no firearm or signs of forced entry were found at the scene.
Both of the Tepes’ young children were in the home at the time of the shootings. Miraculously, they were found unharmed and taken into the care of immediate family members as the investigation intensified.
Initially, authorities released limited details and shared security footage of a person of interest walking in an alley behind the couple’s home within the estimated timeframe of the murders. This early evidence helped focus the investigation and mobilize community tips.
After days of searching and analyzing leads, a breakthrough came when police identified 39-year-old Michael David McKee, Monique’s ex-husband, as a suspect. McKee had lived in various states after his divorce from Monique in 2017. Investigators linked a vehicle associated with him to surveillance near the crime scene. A warrant was issued, and McKee was arrested in Rockford, Illinois, where evidence tied him to the case.
Authorities have charged McKee with two counts of premeditated aggravated murder, a charge that could carry life imprisonment or even the death penalty under Ohio law. Prosecutors allege the offense was a targeted act, and police officials described the killings as domestic violence-related, though a clear motive has not been publicly confirmed.
Family members and community leaders have expressed both heartbreak and relief at McKee’s arrest. In statements released after the suspect’s capture, loved ones thanked law enforcement for their efforts and urged continued support for the Tepes’ young children. Funeral services and tributes have highlighted Spencer and Monique’s deep bonds with family, friends, and neighbors.
As the legal process unfolds, many questions remain about the motives and final moments of that tragic night. Police continue to review evidence, interview witnesses, and seek closure for a community shaken by senseless violence. The Tepes’ deaths have sparked renewed public focus on domestic violence, custody disputes, and the importance of early intervention — and underscored the devastating effects such incidents have on families and communities.
