Who Is Michael McKee, the Man Charged with the Murders of Ohio Dentist Spencer Tepe and His Wife, Monique?

A week after Spencer and Monique Tepe were killed in Ohio, an out-of-state surgeon was charged with their murders. His connection has now come to light.

He lived in a luxury high-rise. He was educated, respected, and practiced medicine for years without incident.

But now, Michael McKee's name is making headlines for reasons no one could have imagined. Questions are mounting about who he really is.

A Shocking Arrest in a Tragic Case

Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique, were found shot to death in their Columbus, Ohio, home on December 30, 2025. One week later, on January 6, 2026, Michael McKee, 39, was arrested in the Chicago area. According to Fox News, court documents identified him as Monique's ex-husband.

Police traced a vehicle seen near the scene around the time of the killings. That car was later located in Rockford, Illinois, where Michael lives and works. Investigators say evidence found inside the vehicle linked him to the case.

He was later booked into the Winnebago County Jail in Illinois. Michael is charged in Ohio with two counts of murder and remains in custody, awaiting extradition. A possible motive has not been made public.

What Is Known About Michael

According to Franklin County Domestic Court records cited by The Columbus Dispatch, Michael and Monique were married in 2015. She filed for divorce in May 2017, and the decree was finalized the following month. The filings described the divorce as amicable and listed Michael as living in Virginia at the time.

The former couple did not have children together. Public records show that Michael later lived in Nevada and Illinois.

Professionally, Michael built a stable medical career as a licensed vascular surgeon based in Rockford, Illinois. He earned his medical degree from Ohio State University (OSU) and held active licenses in both Illinois and California.

His family lived in the Zanesville, Ohio, area. Until his arrest, there was no known criminal record associated with his name.

Shock From Those Who Knew Him Last

At the time of his arrest, Michael was living in a luxury condominium in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. One of his neighbors expressed disbelief.

"He did not seem like somebody that would do something like this," said Gera-Lind Kolarik in an interview with ABC 7 Chicago.

"I sat down with this man, and talked with him at the pool, barbecuing, about what a beautiful day it is, and then he turns out to be a killer. It's kind of shocking," Kolarik added.

She also reflected on the emotional toll: "How do you explain to a child that mom and dad are here one day and gone the next... Those are the real victims of this whole case, are the children."

Michael's arrest came after a surveillance camera captured a hooded figure near the Tepe home in the early hours of December 30.

As previously reported, police investigating the brutal killings of Spencer and Monique had released chilling surveillance footage showing a person of interest near the couple's Columbus home.

Haunting Surveillance Footage Emerged

The grainy clip, captured in the alley behind their residence, showed an unidentified individual walking with their head down between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m. on December 30, the same timeframe in which investigators believed the murders took place.

The figure was seen wearing light-colored pants and a dark hooded jacket, their face obscured from view. While authorities had not identified the person, they labeled them a person of interest and urged the public to come forward with any information.

Two Young Children Were Home During the Murders

The Tepe family’s two small children, ages one and four, had been inside the house when their parents were killed, but they were not physically harmed. The siblings were placed in the care of their uncle, Rob Misleh, who spoke publicly following the devastating loss.

In an interview with NewsNation, Rob shared his reaction to the footage. "I do think, you know, [it's a] suspicious-looking person there. It also very well could be ... somebody walking home drunk from a bar," he stated.

The family was in disbelief. "They were always smiling, they were always laughing. So, it's really just unbelievable and shocking to all of us when we found out. Still, a week later, it doesn't, still doesn't feel real. I can't believe I'm, like, here talking about this," Rob added.

He recalled the couple as people who were “so well liked and admired by everyone,” noting that he was unaware of any enemies they could have had. At the time, authorities had yet to name a suspect or release a motive.

A Community Mourned the Loss of Spencer and Monique

The deaths of Spencer and Monique devastated their family and community. Spencer, 37, had been a well-known dentist from Mason, Ohio, remembered for his warm demeanor and infectious personality. According to WLWT, he graduated from Mason High School and was known for his commitment to helping others.

Monique, 39, had a background in early childhood education and was remembered as a loving mother who brought people together. Friends and family described the couple as devoted parents and kind-hearted individuals.

A Missed Routine That Prompted the First Check

Spencer worked at Athens Dental Depot, which opens at 8 a.m., on Tuesdays. The caller told dispatchers it was entirely out of character for him to miss work without notice.

"He is always on time and he would contact us if there was any issue whatsoever," the colleague said in the call to the police. "I just don't know how else to say this." An officer arrived at the home on the 1400 block of North 4th Street around 9:22 a.m., found no response at the door, and left.

When Concern Turned Into Alarm

As the morning progressed and Spencer remained unreachable, the concern that began at his workplace spread beyond it. By 9:57 a.m., another call came in, this time from a man at the residence who reported hearing children inside the house. At 10 a.m., another coworker called the police, saying she was worried about the dentist's well-being and was heading to the residence.

At 10:05 am, a friend called the police from the home. He said he went there because Spencer was not answering the phone. According to dispatcher recordings, the caller said he could see a body inside the house, lying near a bed. "There is a body inside," the caller stated.

Police returned to the home, located two young children inside, and executed a search warrant at the residence. What they found next would confirm the worst fears raised by the earlier calls.

Who Was Found Inside the Home

Authorities later confirmed that Spencer and his wife were found dead inside their home. Spencer had been shot multiple times, according to a police radio run log obtained by The Dispatch.

A police dispatcher report also referenced a "41A," a code used for robbery reports. Police said there were no indications of a murder-suicide but declined to release further details. As of December 31, 2025, Columbus police had not returned The Dispatch's follow-up calls.

As investigators worked to piece together what happened, attention also turned to the lives interrupted by the violence.

Who Spencer and Monique Were

Spencer's staff profile reportedly listed him as a dentist at the dental depot in Athens, Ohio. He earned bachelor's degrees in Spanish and biology from OSU and completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery there in 2017.

"Outside of the office, Dr. Tepe enjoys golf, travel, and time with his family," the profile reportedly stated. The dental office closed on Friday to mourn his death.

Neighbors Describe a Shaken Block

As details emerged, residents nearby began grappling with the reality that the violence occurred so close to home. Residents nearby told The Dispatch the neighborhood is typically quiet.

Andrew Pla, who lived next door, said he was away when the shooting occurred and described feeling unsettled upon learning what happened.

Across the street, Ethan Garcia said he often saw Monique leaving for work in the mornings and described the news as deeply concerning.

Family Speaks as Community Grieves

For those closest to the couple, the shock quickly gave way to grief. A family member described shock, anger, and despair as investigators continue their work. Rob Misleh said:

"They were so warm. Their place in Columbus was just where everybody gathered. They always had people over, always having fun, just great people. They're just amazing parents and their kids are beautiful, but they, they did such a great job, and you know we have a huge community that now will obviously step in and help raise these children."

A GoFundMe page created by Audrey (Tepe) Mackie, a cousin, described the couple as deeply connected to others and devoted parents.

Mark Valrose, the owner of Athens Dental Depot, also stated, "He will be deeply missed by our team and the many patients he cared for over the years."