Police Confirm Monique Tepe’s Ex-Husband Now in Custody: First Major Arrest in Ohio Dentist and Wife Homicide Case
Columbus Police have confirmed the arrest of Michael David McKee, 39, Monique Tepe’s ex-husband, marking the first significant breakthrough in the investigation into the December 30, 2025, double homicide of Spencer Tepe, 37, a local dentist, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39. McKee was taken into custody without incident on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois, and charged with two counts of murder. He is currently held in the Winnebago County Jail, awaiting an initial court appearance on Monday, January 12, 2026, where extradition proceedings to Ohio are expected to begin.
These images show McKee’s booking photo and related visuals from the arrest coverage:

abcnews.go.com

livenowfox.com

wsaz.com
Investigators linked McKee to the crime through neighborhood surveillance footage showing a person of interest (now identified as McKee) in an alley near the home during the estimated time of the shootings (between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on December 30), along with vehicle tracking that placed the suspect’s car arriving shortly before and departing immediately after the incident. The vehicle was later located in Rockford, Illinois, providing key evidence.
Connection to “Old Legal Documents”
The user’s mention of investigators “revisiting an action recorded in old legal documents” aligns with the revelation that McKee was Monique Tepe’s ex-husband. Court records confirm the couple married on August 22, 2015, separated in March 2016, with Monique filing for divorce in May 2017; it was finalized in June 2017 on grounds of “incompatibility.” A standard mutual restraining order was issued as part of routine Ohio divorce proceedings to prevent harassment or asset dissipation—no evidence of domestic violence, criminal charges, or non-standard disputes has been publicly tied to this order in credible reports. Authorities appear to have examined these prior records as part of establishing the personal connection, though no specific motive has been disclosed.
These crime scene photos from the Weinland Park neighborhood capture the police response and investigation at the North Fourth Street home:
dispatch.com
dispatch.com
The couple’s two young children (ages 1 and 4) and family dog were found unharmed inside the residence. There were no signs of forced entry, and three 9-millimeter casings were recovered.
Family Statement and Community Impact
The Tepe family released a statement following the arrest: “Today’s arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer… 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.”
A public visitation and celebration of life were held on January 11, 2026. Spencer was remembered as a devoted mentor, sports enthusiast, and loving father; Monique as a joyful mother and community connector.
These family photos shared in media tributes show Spencer and Monique Tepe in happier times:
people.com
facebook.com
As the case advances, police continue to withhold a motive and other specifics to protect the investigation’s integrity. McKee is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the probe remains active.
News
DONIKE GOCAJ’S FAMILY SAYS 2 MINUTES NOW FEEL DIFFERENT 💔😳 What happened on Fifth Avenue unfolded almost instantly, but loved ones say there’s a tiny part of the timeline they keep replaying in their minds… And it starts with one last conversation
In the days since tragedy struck on Fifth Avenue, the Gocaj family has found themselves trapped in a painful loop, replaying fragments of time that once seemed insignificant. What unfolded in mere moments on the night of May 18, 2026,…
THE BIGGEST QUESTION IN MACKENZIE SHIRILLA’S CASE WAS NEVER THE SPEED 😳 The vehicle was moving at nearly 100 mph, but years later people are still talking about Mackenzie and Dominic’s final hours together… especially the phone sitting between the front seats
THE SILENT WITNESS BETWEEN THE SEATS The 2023 murder conviction of Mackenzie Shirilla—who deliberately drove her Toyota Camry into a brick building at 100 miles per hour in Strongsville, Ohio—remains one of the most polarizing cases in recent true-crime history….
THE BIGGEST SHOCK DIDN’T COME FROM THE TRIAL 😳 Mackenzie Shirilla’s father defended his daughter years after the crash… but now people keep zooming in on one sentence and the framed family photo sitting over his shoulder
I apologize for that oversight. Let’s expand this into a comprehensive, deeply investigative feature-length article that crosses the 2000-word mark. This deep dive will thoroughly analyze the tragic event, the critical 12-minute forewarning window, the infrastructure vulnerabilities, the legal ramifications,…
A 17-SECOND CLIP FROM THE NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY HAS EVERYONE SPLIT 🚨 Mackenzie Shirilla’s family says there is more people don’t know… but viewers say they can’t stop focusing on the 2-second pause and the untouched glass of water sitting in front of her father
THE 17-SECOND CLIP SPARKING INTENSE TRUE-CRIME DEBATE The release of Netflix’s highly anticipated true-crime documentary The Crash has brought one of Ohio’s most bitterly contested criminal cases back into the global spotlight. The film revisits the July 2022 tragedy in…
MACKENZIE SHIRILLA’S NEW JAIL CALL HAS PEOPLE PAUSING 🚨 In a newly surfaced call, Mackenzie reportedly opened up about life after prison… but viewers can’t stop replaying the 7 words she said right before the line went quiet
Mackenzie Shirilla Heard in Jail Call Saying She’s ‘Not Gonna Be Able to Have Kids’ After Prison Release (Exclusive) In the undated call obtained by PEOPLE, Mackenzie Shirilla discusses the realities of life behind bars in the Cuyahoga County Jail…
PEOPLE THINK THEY JUST FOUND A SECOND VERSION OF MACKENZIE SHIRILLA 🚨 A former inmate who spent **6 months** with Mackenzie says the girl shown in *The Crash* looked nothing like the person she saw every day behind prison walls… and now people can’t stop talking about the **1 detail she mentioned — the full makeup, the altered clothes, and the smile that reportedly never seemed to disappear**
Former inmate speaks out about Mackenzie Shirilla and The Crash: ‘Nothing like who I saw in there at all’ The convicted murderer was “always smiling and happy — like it was never on her mind that … she killed two people,”…
End of content
No more pages to load