headline: Ohio grand jury indicts vascular surgeon in Columbus couple’s slaying slug: 2026-01-16-ohio-grand-jury-indicts-mckee-in-col…

  • A Franklin County, Ohio, grand jury on Jan. 16 indicted Michael David McKee, 39, a vascular surgeon who had been living in Chicago, on ch…
  • The indictment comes after a two-week investigation that drew national attention. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said authorities no…
  • Authorities apprehended McKee in Rockford, Illinois, the weekend of Jan. 10–11. He waived his right to an extradition hearing on Jan. 13 …
  • OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, where McKee worked, said it is cooperating with the investigation. No attorney for McKee wa…

A Franklin County, Ohio, grand jury on Jan. 16 indicted Michael David McKee, 39, a vascular surgeon who had been living in Chicago, on charges of aggravated murder and aggravated burglary — with a firearm suppressor specification — in the shooting deaths of his ex-wife Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, dentist Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, according to court records. The couple was killed in their Columbus home on Dec. 30.

The indictment comes after a two-week investigation that drew national attention. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said authorities now believe McKee was the person visible in video footage walking down a dark alley near the Tepes’ home on the night of the killings. His vehicle was also identified traveling near the house, and a firearm found in McKee’s Illinois residence matched evidence at the crime scene, Bryant said.

Arrest and extradition proceedings

Authorities apprehended McKee in Rockford, Illinois, the weekend of Jan. 10–11. He waived his right to an extradition hearing on Jan. 13 and is currently being held. His next scheduled court appearance is in Winnebago County, Illinois, on Jan. 23.

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, where McKee worked, said it is cooperating with the investigation. No attorney for McKee was listed on court documents as of Jan. 16. Authorities have not disclosed what type of firearm was used in the slayings.

Unusual circumstances at the scene

The case attracted national attention in part because of the circumstances found at the Tepes’ home: no obvious signs of forced entry, no weapon recovered at the scene, and no indication of murder-suicide. Nothing was stolen, and the couple’s two young children and their dog were left unharmed.

Bryant credited community members with aiding the investigation through tips, emails, and phone calls.

“We want to thank our community specifically for stepping up, reaching out, giving us the information and being open to sharing that with us,” she said. “It has been tremendous.”