A Franklin County grand jury has charged Michael McKee with several counts of aggravated murder and other felonies related to the deadly shootings of an Ohio dentist and his spouse, according to court documents.
On Friday, McKee was formally charged with four counts of aggravated murder, each accompanied by firearm specifications, as detailed in the indictment filed at the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
Three of these murder charges include allegations of using or displaying an automatic firearm or silencer, while the fourth charge claims a firearm was either shown or brandished. McKee is also facing a charge of aggravated burglary, classified as a first-degree felony.
Authorities allege that McKee fatally shot his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, aged 39, and her husband, Spencer Tepe, at their residence in the Weinland Park area of Columbus around 10 a.m. on December 30. McKee was apprehended on January 10 and subsequently moved to the Franklin County Jail.
Michael McKee made a court appearance at the Winnebago County Justice Center in Rockford, Illinois, on Monday, January 12, 2026. He is currently facing extradition to Ohio in connection with the murders of Monique Tepe and Spencer Tepe.
The police have characterized the incident as a targeted act of domestic violence but have refrained from discussing the motive or whether there was any communication between McKee and the victims prior to the shootings.
“We know that this is her ex-husband, so it’s domestic violence-related. And, as the trial moves on, as charges come about, we will be able to probably get more answers. But, right now, we don’t have the answer as to a motive,” Police Chief Elaine Bryant told Fox News Digital.
Booking photo of Michael David McKee, a 39-year-old from Chicago, is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Dr. Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique Tepe. (Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office)
McKee waived extradition during an Illinois court hearing Jan. 12, when he was being held at the Winnebago County Jail in Rockford, Illinois, where authorities located him following the killings.
Charging documents say investigators identified McKee by linking him to a vehicle that arrived in the Tepes’ neighborhood shortly before the shootings and left shortly afterward. Police later located the vehicle in Rockford and determined it belonged to McKee, court records show.
Bryant said investigators recovered multiple firearms from McKee’s home, including one believed to have been used in the killings. She said there is a preliminary link through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network tying one of the recovered guns to the shootings.
A preliminary investigation report also revealed that three spent 9 mm shell casings from the scene were found and logged into evidence. When asked whether the firearm was legally obtained, Bryant said investigators were still working to determine that information.
Fox News Digital spoke with Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant, who said investigators have preliminarily linked a firearm to the Ohio dentist murders but declined to share details about the weapon or ballistic evidence. (Fox News Digital)
The Tepes were found dead by a friend who went to their home for a welfare check, according to a 911 call placed that day.
Court records show McKee and Monique Tepe were married for seven months after marrying in August 2015. Monique Tepe later filed for divorce, citing incompatibility in court documents.
Spencer and Monique Tepe are pictured on their wedding day. (Rob Misleh)
Rob Misleh, Spencer Tepe’s brother-in-law, told WSYX that the couple had been preparing to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary shortly before their deaths.
McKee had not entered a plea as of Friday. No bond has been issued.
