Surgeon Snaps–Kills Ex-Wife & New Hubby

A Chicago vascular surgeon stands accused of traveling hundreds of miles to gun down his ex-wife and her new dentist husband in their Columbus home, leaving their two young children unharmed but orphaned.

Story Highlights

Dr. Michael David McKee, 39, arrested Jan. 10, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois, on two counts of murder for the Dec. 30, 2025, slayings of Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39.
No forced entry at the North 4th Street home; two children, ages about 1 and 4, found alive inside during police welfare check.
Surveillance video captured person of interest—now linked to McKee—near the home around 2-5 a.m., the suspected time of the shootings.
Family clarifies April 2025 911 call from the address involved a party guest, not the victims, amid media scrutiny of prior tensions.
Investigation ongoing with McKee in custody pending extradition; family vows to protect the children and seeks justice.

Tragic Discovery in Columbus Neighborhood

Columbus police responded to a welfare check at 9:03 a.m. on Dec. 30, 2025, at the Weinland Park home on North 4th Street after Dr. Spencer Tepe failed to appear for work at Athens Dental Depot. A family friend joined officers at 9:57 a.m., hearing children crying inside but no adult response. Police entered and found Spencer and Monique Tepe dead from gunshot wounds on the second floor. The couple’s two young children, approximately ages 1 and 4, remained alive and unharmed in the home.

Suspect Identified as Ex-Husband Surgeon

Dr. Michael David McKee, 39, Monique Tepe’s ex-husband and a Chicago-based vascular surgeon, faces two counts of murder. Columbus police issued a warrant on Jan. 10, 2026, leading to his arrest without incident in Rockford, Illinois, that same day. He remains in Winnebago County custody pending extradition to Ohio. No weapon was found at the scene, and investigators noted no signs of forced entry, suggesting the victims may have known the assailant. Police ruled out murder-suicide early in the probe.

Early January surveillance video showed a person of interest walking in an alley near the home between 2-5 a.m., the estimated time of the killings. Media reports now link this figure to McKee, who allegedly traveled from Chicago. The professional status of both victims—a dentist and health sector worker—and the suspect has drawn national attention to this domestic-linked double homicide.

Prior 911 Call Sparks Questions

An April 15, 2025, 911 call from the Tepe address at 2:45 a.m. reported a woman saying she and “my man got into it, but I’m OK,” declining further aid. Initial media framed it as a possible domestic dispute. Spencer’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh, clarified it stemmed from a party guest, not conflict between Spencer and Monique. This correction underscores family efforts to protect the victims’ image amid the tragedy.

Monique and Spencer, married since 2021, built a loving home with their two children and Goldendoodle, as family described. Colleagues remembered Spencer as punctual and well-regarded. No public records show active protective orders or disputes between Monique and McKee, though police probe potential motives tied to their divorce.

Family Focuses on Children and Justice

The Tepe family hailed McKee’s arrest as “an important step toward justice,” vowing to surround and protect the orphaned children. Community mourning grew with flowers at the home, reflecting shock in the Near East Side neighborhood plagued by gun violence but stunned by this targeted case. Athens Dental Depot mourned Spencer’s loss, impacting patients and staff.

Columbus Homicide Unit detectives, including Weiner and Miller, continue gathering forensic, digital, and ballistic evidence. McKee’s resources as a surgeon may fuel a robust defense, but law enforcement holds charging power. This interstate case tests coordination between Ohio and Illinois authorities, with Franklin County prosecutors eyeing formal proceedings. Long-term, it spotlights domestic violence risks even among professionals, urging vigilance to safeguard families.