An arrest has been made in connection with the fatal shootings of a Columbus, Ohio, dentist and his wife.According to court records obtained by Columbus NBC affiliate WCMH, Michael McKee, 39, has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39.Prior reporting in video aboveMcKee is described as Monique Tepe’s ex-husband. The two reportedly married in August 2015 and divorced in 2017. The arrest of McKee, a Chicago resident, comes after both Spencer and Monique Tepe were found by police to have been fatally shot in their home on North Fourth Street in Columbus’s Weinland Park neighborhood on the morning of Dec. 30.However, their two young children, aged 1 and 4, were discovered to be unharmed in the house, as was the couple’s dog.The bodies of the pair were discovered after Columbus police had attempted to conduct a wellness check at the couple’s home that morning. This came after officers received a report from a 911 caller who said that he worked with Spencer Tepe, but could not get ahold of him or his wife after he failed to show up for work that morning. However, police initially went to the wrong address, and left the home just after 9:20 a.m. after no one answered the door.Soon afterward, another person called police to say that he was at the Tepes’ Columbus home and could hear children inside. He later called back moments later to say that he could see a body, with blood visible in the home. First responders later arrived on scene and discovered the couple’s remains just after 10 a.m.This kicked off a police investigation that lasted 11 days without an arrest, with officers at one point asking for the public’s help in identifying a person of interest through surveillance footage that was captured from a nearby home.On Saturday morning, McKee was arrested in Rockford, Illinois. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois states he was booked into custody at 11:57 a.m. He has a scheduled court appearance in the state on Monday, where the extradition process to Ohio will likely begin.According to an affidavit, Columbus police were ultimately able to identify McKee as the primary suspect in the case through the neighborhood surveillance footage that they had gathered. His movements were said to have been tracked in the video to a vehicle that was parked near the Tepes’ home and found to have arrived in the area just before the time of the murders and left immediately afterward.McKee was said by police to have later been found to be in possession of the same vehicle shortly before his arrest in Rockford.Spencer Tepe was originally from Mason and graduated from Mason High School in 2007. He would later go on to graduate from Ohio State University, and was described by his family after his death as “a huge Bengals and Buckeyes fan, and lived life with energy, laughter, and generosity.”Meanwhile, Monique Tepe was described as a “joyful mother whose warmth defined her,” as well as “an excellent baker, a thoughtful planner, and someone who found joy in bringing people together.” After the arrest was announced, the Tepe family released a statement that applauded the news.”Today’s arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer,” the statement read. “Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon, but we are grateful to the City of Columbus Police Department, its investigators, and assisting law enforcement community whose tireless efforts helped to capture the person involved.””We thank the community for the continued support, prayers, and compassion shown throughout this tragedy,” the statement continued. “As the case proceeds, we trust the justice system to hold the person responsible fully accountable. Monique and Spencer remain at the center of our hearts, and we carry forward their love as we surround and protect the two children they leave behind. We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world.”Spencer’s cousin Nikk Forte’ in the Cincinnati area told Hearst sister station WLWT:”Since Spencer was young he was a deeply empathic and caring person. He loved his family immensely. He got ordained so he could be the officiant at Madeline and Rob’s wedding. Spencer always wanted a family and always loved being around kids. He was always playing with his younger cousins at family gatherings. My daughter would get so excited when she was a preschooler and Spencer was at a family gathering because he was so much fun. I had PPD with my son. A core memory of that time is on Xmas that year (my son was just a few weeks old) and he was so excited to hold him. He was either at the end of college or starting med school, it was 15 years ago. But he was just so cute being so excited to hold him and he even knew to wash his hands etc first. Mo was an amazing addition to our family. Her warmth and humor made her fit right in with everyone. And she was an amazing mom. I am so relieved right now and so much anger right now. They should still be here.”A celebration of life for the Tepes is scheduled for Sunday.
An arrest has been made in connection with the fatal shootings of a Columbus, Ohio, dentist and his wife.
According to court records obtained by Columbus NBC affiliate WCMH, Michael McKee, 39, has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39.
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Prior reporting in video above
McKee is described as Monique Tepe’s ex-husband. The two reportedly married in August 2015 and divorced in 2017.
The arrest of McKee, a Chicago resident, comes after both Spencer and Monique Tepe were found by police to have been fatally shot in their home on North Fourth Street in Columbus’s Weinland Park neighborhood on the morning of Dec. 30.
However, their two young children, aged 1 and 4, were discovered to be unharmed in the house, as was the couple’s dog.
The bodies of the pair were discovered after Columbus police had attempted to conduct a wellness check at the couple’s home that morning. This came after officers received a report from a 911 caller who said that he worked with Spencer Tepe, but could not get ahold of him or his wife after he failed to show up for work that morning. However, police initially went to the wrong address, and left the home just after 9:20 a.m. after no one answered the door.
Soon afterward, another person called police to say that he was at the Tepes’ Columbus home and could hear children inside. He later called back moments later to say that he could see a body, with blood visible in the home. First responders later arrived on scene and discovered the couple’s remains just after 10 a.m.
This kicked off a police investigation that lasted 11 days without an arrest, with officers at one point asking for the public’s help in identifying a person of interest through surveillance footage that was captured from a nearby home.
On Saturday morning, McKee was arrested in Rockford, Illinois. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois states he was booked into custody at 11:57 a.m. He has a scheduled court appearance in the state on Monday, where the extradition process to Ohio will likely begin.
According to an affidavit, Columbus police were ultimately able to identify McKee as the primary suspect in the case through the neighborhood surveillance footage that they had gathered. His movements were said to have been tracked in the video to a vehicle that was parked near the Tepes’ home and found to have arrived in the area just before the time of the murders and left immediately afterward.
McKee was said by police to have later been found to be in possession of the same vehicle shortly before his arrest in Rockford.
Spencer Tepe was originally from Mason and graduated from Mason High School in 2007. He would later go on to graduate from Ohio State University, and was described by his family after his death as “a huge Bengals and Buckeyes fan, and lived life with energy, laughter, and generosity.”
Meanwhile, Monique Tepe was described as a “joyful mother whose warmth defined her,” as well as “an excellent baker, a thoughtful planner, and someone who found joy in bringing people together.”
After the arrest was announced, the Tepe family released a statement that applauded the news.
“Today’s arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer,” the statement read. “Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon, but we are grateful to the City of Columbus Police Department, its investigators, and assisting law enforcement community whose tireless efforts helped to capture the person involved.”
“We thank the community for the continued support, prayers, and compassion shown throughout this tragedy,” the statement continued. “As the case proceeds, we trust the justice system to hold the person responsible fully accountable. Monique and Spencer remain at the center of our hearts, and we carry forward their love as we surround and protect the two children they leave behind. We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world.”
Spencer’s cousin Nikk Forte’ in the Cincinnati area told Hearst sister station WLWT:
“Since Spencer was young he was a deeply empathic and caring person. He loved his family immensely. He got ordained so he could be the officiant at Madeline and Rob’s wedding. Spencer always wanted a family and always loved being around kids. He was always playing with his younger cousins at family gatherings. My daughter would get so excited when she was a preschooler and Spencer was at a family gathering because he was so much fun. I had PPD with my son. A core memory of that time is on Xmas that year (my son was just a few weeks old) and he was so excited to hold him. He was either at the end of college or starting med school, it was 15 years ago. But he was just so cute being so excited to hold him and he even knew to wash his hands etc first. Mo was an amazing addition to our family. Her warmth and humor made her fit right in with everyone. And she was an amazing mom. I am so relieved right now and so much anger right now. They should still be here.”
A celebration of life for the Tepes is scheduled for Sunday.
