An American surgeon has been arrested and charged with murder after his ex-wife and her new husband were found shot dead in their Ohio home. Police allege the suspect, Michael McKee, 39, was still in possession of the firearm believed to have been used in the killings when he was taken into custody.
A Targeted Attack in Weinland Park
The bodies of Monique Tepe, 40, and Spencer Tepe, 42, were discovered at their residence in Weinland Park, Ohio, on December 30. Authorities confirmed Monique had been shot once in the chest, while Spencer sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Their young children, aged one and four, and the family dog were found unharmed and are now with relatives.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant stated there was no sign of forced entry, indicating the victims may have known their attacker. Three 9mm shell casings were recovered from the scene, but the murder weapon itself was initially missing. Police ruled out a murder-suicide early in the investigation.
The Arrest and Evidence
Investigators tracked McKee from the crime scene using surveillance camera footage, which led them to a vehicle he owned. He was arrested in Illinois on Monday and charged with murder.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Chief Bryant revealed a critical detail: "Multiple weapons were taken from the property of McKee, and there is a preliminary link to one of the weapons that ties it to the homicides," she said. She confirmed McKee had the gun on his person at the time of his arrest.
"What we can say, this was a targeted attack. This was a domestic violence-related attack, as we know McKee is the ex-husband of Monique Tepe," Bryant emphasised. "We believe at this point we have the person responsible."
A Brief and Incompatible Marriage
Court documents reveal McKee, a surgeon based in Illinois, married Monique in 2015, but the union lasted only seven months before she filed for divorce. In her complaint, Monique stated the pair were "incompatible".
The divorce, finalised in June 2017, included a separation agreement requiring Monique to reimburse McKee $1,281.59 for miscellaneous debt. The agreement stipulated that if she failed to pay by July 1, 2018, she would be charged 23 percent interest. Documents also noted that McKee had paid for both the engagement and wedding rings, listing them as his separate property.
Michael McKee is next due in court on January 23, where he will face extradition proceedings to Ohio to answer to two counts of aggravated murder.
