A neighbor of the Illinois surgeon accused of the brutal murders of his ex-wife and her new husband in Ohio has spoken out, expressing utter shock at the arrest of a man she once casually conversed with during poolside barbecues in their upscale Chicago apartment complex. Gera-Lind Kolarik, who lived in the same ritzy Lincoln Park building as Michael David McKee, told the New York Post she never imagined the 39-year-old vascular surgeon could be capable of such heinous acts. “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 a killer. It’s kind of shocking,” Kolarik said. Her comments come amid growing details in the case against McKee, who was arrested on January 10, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois, and charged with two counts of murder in the shooting deaths of Monique Tepe, 39, and Spencer Tepe, 37. The victims were found dead in their Westerville, Ohio, home on December 30, 2025, leaving behind two young children and a community in disbelief.

The tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of December 30, between 2 and 5 a.m., in the upstairs bedrooms of the Tepes’ four-bedroom colonial-style home in the affluent Weinland Park neighborhood north of Columbus. Spencer, a well-respected dentist who ran a family practice in the area, and Monique, a former nurse who had stepped back from her career to focus on motherhood, were both shot multiple times. Authorities reported no signs of forced entry, suggesting the killer may have gained access through an unlocked door or was familiar with the home’s layout. No firearm was recovered at the scene, complicating the initial investigation. The couple’s 4-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son were found unharmed in their bedrooms, along with the family pet dog, adding a layer of relief amid the horror. A family friend, prompted by concerns after Spencer failed to appear at work, conducted a welfare check and discovered the bodies, immediately calling 911.

Eerie surveillance footage released by police shows a person of interest—later identified as matching McKee’s description—walking down an alley near the Tepe residence in the predawn hours. Vehicle tracking data placed a car registered to McKee in the vicinity before it headed west toward Illinois, leading authorities to his doorstep in Rockford, approximately 300 miles from the crime scene. Westerville Police Chief Charles Chandler praised the collaborative effort with Illinois law enforcement: “This was a meticulous investigation involving digital forensics, surveillance, and inter-state cooperation. We’re confident we have the right individual in custody.”

McKee, a graduate of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, specialized in vascular surgery and worked at a prominent Chicago hospital. Colleagues described him as professional and unassuming, with no prior indications of violent tendencies. He and Monique were married from 2015 to 2017, divorcing amicably while living in Virginia. Court records from the split show no major conflicts, with shared custody of their daughter agreed upon. However, sources close to the family told Fox News that underlying tensions may have festered over the years, particularly regarding parenting decisions and financial support. Monique remarried Spencer in 2021, and the couple welcomed their son in 2024, building a blended family in Ohio where Spencer had established his dental practice.

Spencer Tepe was known in the Columbus area for his compassionate care, often providing discounted services to low-income patients and volunteering at local health fairs. His obituary highlighted his love for outdoor activities like hiking and fishing, which he shared with his young family. Monique, who left nursing after the birth of their son, was active in community groups, including book clubs and animal rescue organizations. The Tepe family’s statement following McKee’s arrest reflected their ongoing grief: “Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon. We thank the community for the continued support, prayers, and compassion shown throughout this tragedy. As the case proceeds, we trust the justice system to hold the person responsible fully accountable. Monique and Spencer remain at the center of our hearts, and we carry forward their love as we surround and protect the two children they leave behind.”

The children, now orphaned by the tragedy, are in the care of Monique’s relatives in Ohio. Custody proceedings are expected to be complex, given McKee’s parental rights to the daughter. Family friends have set up a GoFundMe to support the kids’ education and counseling needs, raising over $100,000 in the first week. “These innocents didn’t deserve this,” one donor commented. The family dog has been adopted by a close friend, providing a small comfort amid the loss.

McKee’s arrest in Rockford was executed without incident, with local police assisting ICE and Ohio authorities. He appeared in Winnebago County Court on January 11 for an extradition hearing, waiving his right to contest the process. Dressed in an orange jumpsuit, McKee remained expressionless as the charges were read. Bond was denied, and he is being held at the county jail pending transfer to Ohio, expected by January 20. Prosecutors in Franklin County have upgraded the charges to aggravated murder, citing evidence of premeditation based on travel records and the targeted nature of the attack. McKee’s attorney has entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, declining further comment but indicating a vigorous defense.

Digital evidence has been pivotal. Phone records show McKee’s device pinging cell towers near Westerville during the time frame of the murders. Traffic cameras captured his vehicle entering and leaving Ohio, and forensic analysis of his apartment in Chicago uncovered deleted search history related to the Tepes’ address and firearm purchases—though no gun has been linked directly to him. No fingerprints or DNA were reported at the scene, but fibers from clothing matching items in McKee’s wardrobe were found in the home.

Kolarik’s interview with the Post highlights the disbelief in McKee’s Chicago circle. Living in the same luxury apartment building, she recalled innocuous interactions: chats about the weather, barbecues by the pool, and neighborly waves in the hallway. “He seemed like a normal guy—polite, professional,” she said. “You never think the person next door could do something like this.” Kolarik also emphasized the human toll: “How do you explain to a child that Mom and Dad are here one day and gone the next? Those are the real victims of this whole case, the children.” Other residents in the building echoed her sentiments, with one anonymous neighbor telling the Chicago Tribune, “He was always in scrubs, heading to save lives. Now this? It’s surreal.”

The case has resonated nationally, drawing comparisons to other domestic-related homicides involving professionals. True-crime podcasts like “Crime Junkie” have dedicated episodes, speculating on motives from jealousy to custody battles. Social media has exploded with #TepeMurder, where users share theories and tributes. A Change.org petition for stricter post-divorce monitoring in custody cases has over 75,000 signatures.

Legal experts predict a high-stakes trial. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, overseeing the prosecution in Ohio—wait, Franklin County—has a strong track record in capital cases. “The evidence points to premeditation,” she told reporters. Defense may argue lack of direct links, such as the absent murder weapon, or challenge the vehicle’s tracking data. Jury selection could be influenced by media saturation, potentially requiring a venue change.

The broader implications touch on domestic violence awareness. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ex-partners are involved in 20% of homicides. In Ohio, over 120 domestic killings were reported in 2025. Advocacy groups like the Ohio Domestic Violence Network are using the case to push for enhanced protective orders and counseling mandates in divorces.

In Columbus, the Tepe home remains cordoned off, a somber reminder in the quiet suburb. Spencer’s dental practice has temporarily closed, with patients redirected. A memorial service on January 18 is expected to draw a large crowd, with tributes from patients and students.

As McKee awaits extradition, questions persist. Was this a crime of passion, or a calculated act? For the Tepe family, the arrest brings a step toward closure, but the pain endures. “We carry their light,” a family member said. In a neighborhood where barbecues once symbolized normalcy, Kolarik’s words echo: You never know who’s next door.