A respected vascular surgeon in his first court appearance… and he just waived extradition. 😱⚖️

Dr. Michael McKee, 39, stood silently in an Illinois courtroom today after being arrested for the brutal shooting deaths of his ex-wife Monique Tepe and her husband, dentist Spencer Tepe, in their Columbus home on Dec. 30.

The couple was gunned down while their two young children slept nearby — unharmed but forever scarred.

McKee, once married to Monique from 2015-2017, faces two counts of premeditated aggravated murder. He quietly agreed to return to Ohio, where charges were upgraded and he plans to plead not guilty.

What drove a successful doctor to allegedly travel 300+ miles for this? Motive remains a chilling mystery as the case heads back to Franklin County.

Full details:

Vascular surgeon Dr. Michael David McKee made his initial court appearance in Winnebago County on January 12, 2026, where he waived his right to an extradition hearing, paving the way for his swift return to Ohio to face two counts of premeditated aggravated murder in the Dec. 30 shooting deaths of his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, and her husband, Spencer Tepe.

The 39-year-old Chicago-based physician, formerly employed by OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, was arrested January 10 following a multi-state manhunt. Authorities upgraded the charges from murder to premeditated aggravated murder earlier that day in Franklin County Municipal Court. McKee, represented by court-appointed public defender Carrie Poirier, indicated through counsel that he intends to plead not guilty upon arrival in Ohio and plans to remain silent during proceedings.

The killings occurred just before 4 a.m. on December 30 in the Weinland Park neighborhood of Columbus, where first responders found the couple fatally shot inside their home. Their children, ages 4 and 1, were present but unharmed physically. Police described the scene as targeted, with no signs of forced entry or theft, prompting an immediate focus on personal motives.

Monique Tepe, 39, had been married to McKee from August 2015 until their divorce in May 2017. She later wed Spencer Tepe, 37, a respected dentist, in a union that lasted nearly five years. Court records and family statements portray the ex-couple’s separation as amicable on paper, though investigators have not publicly detailed any prior conflicts. Monique’s family reportedly believed McKee’s involvement early in the probe, citing his history and disappearance from professional obligations.

McKee’s arrest stemmed from evidence linking him to the crime scene. Columbus police identified a vehicle associated with the suspect through surveillance and witness accounts, tracing it to Rockford, Illinois — over 300 miles away. Detectives located the car there, confirming McKee’s ownership and leading to his apprehension around noon on January 10. He was booked into the Winnebago County Jail pending the hearing.

During the brief January 12 appearance, McKee consented to extradition without contest, meaning Ohio authorities have up to 30 days to transport him back to Franklin County for arraignment and further proceedings. Recent reports indicate the transfer may take slightly longer than initially anticipated due to logistical coordination between states, though no major delays have been confirmed.

The case has drawn scrutiny beyond the immediate tragedy. Months before the murders, McKee reportedly evaded service in a separate Nevada malpractice lawsuit filed in 2024 over a varicose vein procedure where a catheter fragment was allegedly left in a patient. A process server documented multiple failed attempts to locate him, including an invalid address and unanswered calls, with one source describing him as having “just disappeared.” The suit remains pending, and the plaintiff’s attorney learned of the Ohio charges only after media inquiries.

McKee’s professional background includes medical training at Ohio State University, adding an ironic layer to his alleged return to the state for criminal proceedings. His employer, OSF Saint Anthony, issued a statement confirming cooperation with law enforcement following his arrest and expressing condolences to the victims’ families. No disciplinary actions against his medical license have been publicly reported as of mid-January 2026.

The Tepe family has been supported by community fundraisers and tributes. Spencer was remembered as a devoted mentor and practitioner, while Monique was described as a loving mother. The couple’s young children, now in the care of relatives, represent the most heartbreaking aspect of the crime — left parentless in what authorities call a premeditated act.

Investigators continue to probe motive, with no official statement released on potential triggers such as jealousy, financial disputes, or lingering resentment from the divorce. The absence of a criminal record for McKee prior to this case has heightened public fascination: how does a high-achieving surgeon with no apparent history of violence allegedly cross state lines to commit such acts?

Legal experts note that waiving extradition often signals a strategic choice to expedite proceedings or avoid prolonged detention in the arresting state. McKee’s silence during the Illinois hearing aligns with standard defense tactics in high-profile cases. Upon return to Ohio, he will face a rigorous process, including possible bail considerations — though the severity of premeditated aggravated murder charges typically results in high or denied bail.

The double homicide has reverberated across Ohio and Illinois, prompting reflection on domestic violence indicators, even in seemingly stable post-divorce scenarios. Community vigils in Columbus honored the Tepes, while Rockford residents expressed shock at the allegations against a local medical professional.

As extradition logistics finalize, the focus shifts to Franklin County, where prosecutors will build their case around forensic evidence, vehicle tracking, and any digital or witness ties. For the Tepe children and extended family, the path to justice begins in earnest once McKee arrives.

The tragedy underscores the unpredictability of personal conflicts and the devastating ripple effects of alleged violence. With McKee’s waiver clearing the way, answers — and accountability — may soon move from investigation to courtroom.