🚨 BREAKING: Ex-Husband’s Chilling Revenge? 🚨 A top Chicago surgeon, Michael David McKee, 39, just got slapped with TWO COUNTS OF MURDER in the cold-blooded shooting deaths of his ex-wife Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, beloved Ohio dentist Spencer Tepe, 37.

They were found gunned down in their Columbus home on Dec. 30—while their little kids (ages 1 and 4) were unharmed inside the house. Police tracked McKee’s car from neighborhood surveillance straight to Rockford, Illinois, where he was arrested without a fight on Jan. 10.

Family whispers: “We all expected this…” But why now—years after their 2017 divorce? Was it jealousy over her new life? Deep resentment boiling over? Or something darker no one’s saying yet?

Full story:

A 39-year-old vascular surgeon from the Chicago area has been charged with two counts of murder in the December shooting deaths of an Ohio dentist and his wife, authorities confirmed Saturday.

Michael David McKee was arrested in Rockford, Illinois, on Jan. 10 and booked into the Winnebago County Jail shortly before noon, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. He remains in custody pending an initial court appearance, likely an extradition hearing set for early this week, as officials prepare to transfer him to Ohio to face charges in Franklin County.

The victims, Spencer Tepe, 37, a dentist, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, were discovered fatally shot in their Weinland Park home in Columbus on the morning of Dec. 30. Police responded after concerned friends and colleagues reported that Spencer Tepe had failed to show up for work—an unusual occurrence described as “out of character.” Officers arrived to find the couple on the second floor of their residence suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Their two young children, ages 1 and 4, were unharmed and inside the home at the time.

Michael David McKee.
Photo by Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images and mugshot

Authorities have ruled the deaths a double homicide, with investigators estimating the shootings occurred between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Dec. 30. No motive has been publicly disclosed, though court documents and police statements point to surveillance footage from the neighborhood that helped identify a person of interest and ultimately linked McKee to the scene.

McKee, identified in Franklin County Municipal Court records as Monique Tepe’s ex-husband, was married to her from 2015 until their divorce in 2017. The couple had no children together. McKee, who reportedly resides in the Chicago area and has worked as a vascular surgeon in Rockford, was tracked through his vehicle, which was registered to him and placed near the Tepe residence around the time of the killings.

Columbus police detectives, working with assistance from Illinois law enforcement, located the vehicle in Rockford and confirmed McKee’s ownership throughout the relevant period. He was taken into custody “without incident,” according to incident reports.

In statements released following the arrest, the Tepe family expressed relief at the development while emphasizing the ongoing grief. “Today’s arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer,” a family 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.”

The family also thanked the community for support and prayers, noting they would continue to honor the couple’s memory while protecting their children, now in the care of relatives. Spencer Tepe’s cousin, Nikki Forte, shared personal recollections, describing him as “deeply empathic and caring,” someone who loved family gatherings and was excited about fatherhood. She called Monique “an amazing addition” to the family, praising her warmth, humor, and devotion as a mother.

A neighbor of Michael David McKee, the man who has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, and her husband, Spencer Tepe, has spoken out about the “shocking” tragedy.

McKee, 39, was arrested and charged on Saturday, Jan. 10, after Monique, 39, and Spencer, 37, were fatally shot inside their home in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 30. (Their two young children were later found physically unharmed.)

Following McKee’s arrest, his neighbor, Gera-Lind Kolarik, told ABC 7 Chicago, “He did not seem like somebody who would do something like this.”

“I sat down with this man and talked with him at the pool, barbecuing, about what a beautiful day it is — and then he turns out to be [charged as] a killer. It’s kind of shocking,” Kolarik added of McKee, who has not been convicted of any crimes.

Spencer Tepe (left) and Monique Tepe (right).Go Fund Me

McKee was arrested and charged with two counts of murder on Jan. 10, according to Franklin County Municipal Court documents viewed by PEOPLE.

Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office court records show that McKee was booked shortly before 12 p.m. local time. He will remain there until authorities extradite him to Franklin County, where he is scheduled for a hearing on Monday, Jan. 12.

The Tepes were found dead after friends and co-workers made several 911 calls requesting a welfare check.

One co-worker was concerned after they tried contacting Spencer three times, while another friend, calling from outside the couple’s residence, told dispatchers he could hear their children, ages 4 and 1, crying inside, per 911 call recordings obtained by PEOPLE.

Spencer and Monique Tepe.Courtesy of Rob Misleh

According to a complaint obtained by PEOPLE, police were able to identify the suspect as McKee by using neighborhood video surveillance to link a car to him.

Authorities then found evidence of McKee “in possession of the vehicle prior to and after the homicides.”

The case drew national attention in the days following the discovery, with police releasing video of a person of interest and urging tips from the public. Speculation swirled in local media and online forums, with some residents and acquaintances suggesting long-standing tensions from the prior marriage. One family member reportedly told outlets that relatives “all expected” McKee’s involvement but remained silent to avoid compromising the investigation.

McKee’s background includes undergraduate and medical training at Ohio State University, the same institution attended by the Tepes. Spencer Tepe worked as a dentist in Athens, Ohio, and was remembered by colleagues as reliable and dedicated. Monique Tepe was described in community accounts as a devoted parent.

As of Sunday, some reports indicated charges against McKee had been amended to include aggravated murder with premeditation specifications, though official confirmation from Franklin County courts was pending. No attorney for McKee has been listed in available records, and no plea has been entered.

The arrest ends a roughly 10-day manhunt that began when the bodies were found. Police have not released details on the weapon used or forensic evidence beyond the surveillance lead that cracked the case. Extradition proceedings in Illinois will determine the timeline for McKee’s return to Ohio, where he faces formal arraignment and potential trial.

This case highlights the rare but devastating intersection of personal history and violent crime. Domestic-related homicides, while often involving current partners, can stem from lingering disputes after divorce. Experts note that jealousy, financial issues, or unresolved resentment sometimes fuel such acts years later—though authorities have stressed that the investigation remains active and no motive has been confirmed.

For now, the focus shifts to the courtroom. McKee’s initial appearance in Illinois is expected soon, with extradition to follow if approved. The Tepe family has planned a celebration of life service, underscoring their commitment to remembering the couple’s positive impact rather than the tragedy that ended their lives.

As the legal process unfolds, questions linger: What triggered the alleged violence after nearly a decade? Was it a long-simmering grudge, or something more immediate? Law enforcement officials say more details may emerge as the case progresses, but for the community in Columbus and beyond, the arrest brings a measure of closure amid profound loss.