Michael McKee MD: vascular surgeon arrested, ex-wife killing, Ohio double murder

In January 2026, a case that stunned both the medical community and the American public came into focus when authorities arrested Dr. Michael David McKee, a vascular surgeon, in connection with the brutal killings of his ex-wife and her new husband in Columbus, Ohio. The case, now widely referred to as the Michael McKee MD double murder investigation, involves allegations of calculated violence, a complicated marital past, and the tragic loss of two respected healthcare professionals.

The victims, Monique Tepe and her husband Dr. Spencer Tepe, were found dead in their home, leaving behind two small children and a community struggling to understand how a highly educated physician could become the prime suspect in such a devastating crime.

The Crime Scene: A Family Home Turned Into a Tragedy

On the morning of December 30, 2025, Columbus police responded to a welfare check after Dr. Spencer Tepe failed to appear at his dental practice. Concerned coworkers contacted authorities when repeated calls went unanswered.

Officers entered the couple’s residence and discovered both Spencer and Monique Tepe dead in their bedroom, each suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The home showed no signs of forced entry, and the murder weapon was not immediately recovered.

Most heartbreaking of all, the couple’s two young children—a four-year-old girl and a one-year-old boy—were found alive and unharmed downstairs.

The apparent timing of the killings, believed to have occurred in the early morning hours, suggested a targeted and deliberate attack rather than a random act of violence.

Who Were the Victims?

Dr. Spencer Tepe was a well-known dentist in the Columbus area, described by colleagues as compassionate, hardworking, and deeply devoted to his patients. His wife, Monique Tepe, was equally admired for her warmth, kindness, and commitment to family life.

Friends said the couple had recently celebrated their wedding anniversary and were in a joyful phase of life, raising young children and building their careers. Their sudden deaths sent shockwaves through both the medical and local communities.

The Accused: Michael McKee, MD

Dr. Michael David McKee, age 39, is a trained vascular surgeon who studied medicine in Ohio and later practiced in multiple states, including Illinois and California. At the time of his arrest, he was living in the Chicago area and affiliated with a hospital system in Rockford, Illinois.

McKee and Monique were married in 2015 and divorced in 2017. The couple did not share children, and their separation occurred nearly eight years before the murders. Despite the time gap, investigators quickly focused on McKee as a person of interest due to the prior marital relationship.

How Investigators Connected McKee to the Killings

Surveillance footage from the neighborhood reportedly showed a vehicle and individual matching McKee’s movements near the crime scene during the estimated time of the murders. Digital data, including cell phone location information and travel records, allegedly placed him in Ohio despite his residence in Illinois.

Law enforcement tracked the vehicle back to Rockford, where McKee was arrested without incident. He was charged with two counts of aggravated murder and held pending extradition to Ohio.

The Motive Question

Authorities have not yet released an official motive. However, investigators are examining:

• Long-standing emotional conflicts following divorce

• Possible unresolved personal grievances

• Financial or custody-related tensions

• Psychological factors tied to jealousy or control

Former behavioral analysts have suggested that delayed acts of revenge, though rare, can occur when unresolved resentment remains dormant for years before resurfacing violently.

Importantly, no public record has yet confirmed prior domestic violence or restraining orders between McKee and Monique.

Legal Proceedings and Extradition

McKee was taken into custody in Illinois and is undergoing extradition proceedings to Franklin County, Ohio, where the murders occurred. Once transferred, he will face:

• Formal arraignment

• Possible pre-trial detention

• Forensic evidence presentation

• Digital and ballistic analysis

• Psychological evaluation

If convicted, McKee could face life imprisonment or the death penalty under Ohio law.

Medical Community in Shock

The arrest of a practicing vascular surgeon for a double homicide has deeply shaken the healthcare profession. Colleagues described McKee as intelligent and technically skilled, making the accusations all the more disturbing.

Hospitals and licensing boards have begun internal reviews, and his medical privileges have reportedly been suspended pending the outcome of the case.

Impact on the Children

The Tepe children are now in the care of relatives. Community fundraisers and support campaigns have been established to ensure their long-term wellbeing, education, and emotional recovery.

Counselors emphasize that the trauma of losing both parents in a violent crime will require years of psychological support.

What Comes Next?

Key developments expected in the coming weeks include:

• Forensic weapon tracing

• Digital footprint analysis

• Witness testimony

• Mental health evaluations

• Grand jury indictment

As the case proceeds, prosecutors aim to establish premeditation, interstate travel, and intent, while defense attorneys are expected to challenge the evidence and timeline.

Conclusion

The Michael McKee MD Ohio double murder case stands as one of the most chilling criminal investigations involving a medical professional in recent history. At its heart are two promising lives cut short, two children left without parents, and a legal battle that will seek to uncover the truth behind an act that has left a nation asking how such a tragedy could unfold.

As the courts prepare to determine guilt or innocence, one fact remains unquestioned: the devastating human cost of violence that crossed state lines, professions, and family bonds.