Additional Coverage:
- Tepe double murder: Ohio couple shot 16 times, still wearing wedding rings for official autopsy (themirror.com)
Autopsy Reveals Horrific Details in Columbus Double Homicide; Ex-Husband Charged
COLUMBUS, OH – New details emerging from the autopsies of Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, Spencer Tepe, DDS, 37, paint a grim picture of the double homicide that rocked the Columbus community on December 30. The couple sustained a total of sixteen gunshot wounds and were found still wearing their wedding rings, according to the Franklin County Office of the Coroner. Their two young children, ages four and one, were in an adjacent room and were unharmed.
Monique Tepe suffered nine gunshot wounds, including injuries to her face, chest, arms, and torso, with significant damage to vital organs and a fractured cheekbone. Spencer Tepe sustained seven gunshot wounds, including to his head, neck, and torso, also resulting in severe internal and skeletal injuries. Both were pronounced dead at 10:11 a.m. on December 30.
Authorities have charged Monique’s ex-husband, Michael David McKee, MD, 39, with four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary. McKee entered a not-guilty plea at his arraignment, but police revelations regarding alleged stalking and casing the Tepe home are expected to present a challenge for his defense team.
Timeline of a Tragedy
The murders are believed to have occurred between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on December 30. Police were initially alerted when Spencer Tepe’s boss requested a welfare check after he failed to arrive for work. After an initial misdirection and subsequent calls, including one from a coworker who discovered Spencer in a pool of blood through a window, officers gained access to the home.
Investigators found no signs of forced entry, no weapon at the scene, and no evidence of theft. Within two days, surveillance footage of a suspect in an alley behind the Tepe home was released.
Eleven days later, McKee was arrested in Illinois, and a 9mm pistol with a suppressor, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered from his Chicago apartment. Ballistic evidence reportedly provided an initial match to the scene.
A Troubled Past Uncovered
Affidavits from the investigation reveal a dark history between Monique Tepe and her ex-husband, McKee. Friends and family told police that Monique had confided about McKee’s abusive behavior and numerous threats made during and after their marriage, which ended in divorce in 2017.
One witness recounted Monique alleging that McKee had once strangled her and forced unwanted sexual acts. Another friend reported that McKee had allegedly told Monique he could kill her at any time and would “find her and buy the house right next to her, that she will always be his wife.”
Despite these claims, no police reports of violence were filed during their marriage.
Monique and Spencer Tepe were described by family as having a “beautiful, strong, and deeply happy relationship,” filled with love, laughter, and a shared passion for travel. Monique was a stay-at-home mother, and Spencer was a practicing dentist. They were just one month shy of their five-year wedding anniversary.
Allegations of Stalking and Deception
The investigation into McKee has uncovered a concerning professional history, including a malpractice lawsuit in Nevada and periods where he was allegedly unlocatable. At the time of his arrest, McKee was working at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois.
Police allege that surveillance footage from December 6 caught McKee on the Tepe property, entering the “curtilage” and remaining for several hours while the couple was out of town. Further allegations include McKee using “stolen” or “fake” license plates and removing a distinct sticker from his car. McKee initially told police he was on call at his hospital the night of the murders, but his phone showed a 17-hour period of inactivity.
McKee faces severe penalties if convicted, including the potential for life in prison without parole. His lawyers have declined to comment on the ongoing case.