In the quiet early hours of December 30, 2025, a tragic discovery unfolded in the Weinland Park neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. Spencer Tepe, a 37-year-old dedicated dentist, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, were found shot to death inside their home on the 1400 block of North 4th Street. The couple’s two young children, ages 1 and 4, were unharmed and present in the house at the time. What began as a routine wellness check after Spencer failed to appear for work at his dental practice in Athens quickly escalated into one of the most high-profile homicide cases in central Ohio that year.

The murders occurred sometime between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., with no signs of forced entry reported at the scene. Authorities recovered three 9mm shell casings, but the weapon was never found on-site. The case initially baffled investigators due to its seemingly random nature—the victims were well-liked, successful professionals with no apparent enemies. Spencer was known for his passion for comprehensive dentistry, implant therapy, and his fluency in Spanish, while Monique, a former childhood education professional, was described as a bubbly stay-at-home mother who loved baking, soccer, running, horses, and books. The couple had been married since early 2021 and were just weeks away from celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary.

The investigation took a dramatic turn on January 10, 2026, when Chicago-area resident Michael David McKee, 39, was arrested in Rockford, Illinois, roughly 79 miles northwest of Chicago. McKee, a licensed vascular surgeon practicing in Illinois (and previously in California), was charged with two counts of murder, which were soon upgraded to aggravated murder with premeditation. This charge implies prior calculation and design, pointing to a deliberate and planned act.

McKee’s connection to the victims was deeply personal: he was Monique Tepe’s ex-husband. The two had married in 2015 and divorced just two years later in 2017, with no children from the union. Their brief marriage ended nearly nine years before the killings, making the timing of the crime all the more perplexing at first glance.

Piecing Together the Evidence

Columbus police released surveillance footage showing a person of interest—a hooded figure walking in an alley near the Tepe home around the time of the murders. Detectives used this video, combined with neighborhood security cameras, to identify a suspect vehicle that arrived shortly before the homicides and departed soon after. The car was traced to McKee and located in Rockford, where he was taken into custody without incident. He was booked into the Winnebago County Jail before being set for extradition to Ohio, where he waived formal extradition proceedings in a brief court appearance.

McKee, who resided in Chicago’s upscale Lincoln Park neighborhood, had no prior criminal record. Neighbors described him as unassuming, with one expressing shock at the revelation: the man they casually chatted with at the pool or during barbecues now stood accused of such a violent crime. His professional life as a surgeon stood in stark contrast to the brutality of the allegations.

The Deeper Motive: Lingering Resentment from a Failed Marriage

While police have not officially released a detailed motive—likely to preserve the integrity of the ongoing case—several key insights have emerged from family statements, expert commentary, and the broader context of the relationship.

Spencer Tepe’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh, who spoke on behalf of the family, described McKee as “an emotionally abusive person” during his marriage to Monique. Misleh noted that the family “quickly believed” McKee was involved, suggesting long-standing tensions that never fully resolved. The marriage lasted only about seven to eight months of active cohabitation before the divorce, yet the emotional impact appears to have endured for nearly a decade.

Former FBI special agent Jennifer Coffindaffer, a law and justice analyst, characterized the motive as rooted in “deep-seated resentment and hate.” Despite the passage of time and Monique’s happy new life with Spencer—complete with two children and a stable family—McKee allegedly harbored unresolved bitterness. This type of delayed revenge is not uncommon in cases involving ex-partners, where the killer perceives the victim’s new happiness as an affront to their own ego or sense of ownership.

The premeditated nature of the charges supports this theory. McKee is believed to have traveled from Illinois to Ohio, executed the shootings with apparent planning (no forced entry, targeted timing when the children were safe but the adults vulnerable), and attempted to flee. The fact that he spared the children while killing both Monique and her new husband suggests a focused vendetta against the couple, rather than a random or rage-fueled act.

Monique’s wedding vows to Spencer reportedly referenced past “wrong relationships” and a “waterfall of tears,” which some have interpreted as allusions to her difficult marriage to McKee. These subtle hints, combined with Misleh’s comments about emotional abuse, paint a picture of a relationship marked by control, pain, and lasting scars.

The Aftermath and Path to Justice

The Tepe family issued a statement expressing gratitude for the swift arrest, calling it “an important step toward justice” while acknowledging the irreplaceable loss. “Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon,” they said, emphasizing their focus on protecting and honoring the couple’s children, who now carry forward their parents’ love.

Friends and colleagues mourned Spencer as a compassionate professional and devoted family man, while Monique was remembered for her warmth and joy. A celebration of life service was held shortly after the arrest, drawing community support in Upper Arlington and beyond.

As McKee faces extradition and trial in Franklin County, Ohio, the case highlights how old wounds can fester into tragedy. What began as a mysterious double homicide has revealed a story of alleged long-simmering resentment, emotional abuse, and premeditated revenge. The “real” motive, as pieced together from available details, centers on McKee’s inability to move past the end of his marriage to Monique—culminating in the ultimate act of destruction against her and the life she built without him.

This heartbreaking event serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers in domestic histories, even years after separation. The justice system now holds the responsibility to hold the accused fully accountable, offering some measure of closure to a grieving family and community shattered by violence.