Arrest Made in Ohio Dentist, Wife Double Homicide

ByDavid Gilbert
Yellow police tape with "POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS" text stretches across a scene concerning the Ohio Dentist murder, blurred metallic bars behind it, creating a tense atmosphere of a homicide.

An Ohio dentist and his wife were found shot to death in their Columbus home last week, and police say a 39‑year‑old Chicago man has now been arrested and charged with two counts of murder.

Michael McKee was taken into custody without incident in Rockford, Illinois, according to an update released on Jan. 10, by the Columbus Division of Police. He is being held in the Winnebago County Jail pending extradition to Ohio, where a court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 12 in Franklin County. The Columbus Division of Police said the arrest is connected to the deaths of Monique Tepe, 39, and Spencer Tepe, 37. The couple was found with gunshot wounds in their Weinland Park home on Dec. 30 after Spencer Tepe, a local dentist, did not report for work, prompting a welfare check. Their two young children, ages 4 and 1, were found unharmed inside the residence.

“This arrest represents a critical step in this investigation,” a police spokesperson said. “Our focus remains on supporting the family and pursuing justice.” Investigators said surveillance footage captured a vehicle registered to McKee near the victims’ home around the time of the homicides.

The vehicle was later located in Illinois, approximately 325 miles from Columbus. Court records show McKee was previously married to Monique Tepe. They married in 2015, and their divorce was finalized in 2017. Monique Tepe and Spencer Tepe were married in 2020. Authorities haven’t released a possible motive for the killings, as the investigation is ongoing.

Surveillance Footage Guides Police in Homicide Investigation

Ohio Dentist sign with a tooth icon on a building exterior. A bare tree and part of a brick building are visible against a cloudy sky. Urban setting.
Image of Dentist Sign in Front of Building | Courtesy of Shiola Odan via Unsplash.

The Columbus Division of Police released a video on their official Facebook page, stating, “Recovered video footage shows a person of interest walking in the alley near the Tepe’s residence during that timeframe.” Court filings explained how the investigation led police to review neighborhood surveillance footage. In the video, they observed a vehicle registered to McKee near the victims’ residence around the time of the homicides. Furthermore, it was reportedly seen arriving just before the incident and departing shortly after. According to the detectives, the vehicle was later located in Illinois, approximately 325 miles from the crime scene.

With this evidence, the detectives established that McKee was the prime suspect in the Tepe homicide case. Consequently, Spencer Tepe not reporting to work would lead to a welfare check being initiated and the victims’ discovery within their home. Additionally, the couple’s two young children were found unharmed inside the residence. McKee was previously married to Monique Tepe, with the couple marrying in 2015, and their divorce finalized in 2017.

Reports indicate that the separation was amicable and that no children were shared between them. Monique Tepe and Spencer Tepe were officially married in 2020, with family members describing the couple as devoted parents who were active in their community.

The Legal Process Begins Its March

Authorities have not said what may have led to the attack on the Ohio dentist and his family. With no clear motive identified for the homicides, investigators are expected to examine the personal history between those involved as the case moves forward. While the ex-husband is currently in custody out of state, his next court date will be the start of a lengthy legal process.

The impact of the killings has extended beyond the crime scene, with Spencer Tepe’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh, issuing a statement from the family saying “our family is committed to seeing this tragedy fully and fairly brought to justice, and to honoring Spencer and Monique by protecting the future of the children they loved so deeply.”; The statement also emphasized the couple’s commitment to the community and their family. Colleagues and patients said the Tepes were valued members of the community and are mourning their loss.

David Gilbert is a poet and writer from Dayton Ohio, revealing themes of love and life to uncover the importance of self-discovery and self-recovery. Attending four years at Stivers School for the Arts with a focus on creative writing and receiving his Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree in English, David has learned his craft by understanding the significance of words to provoke fresh emotion and raw honesty.