Chicago Man Michael McKee Charged for Columbus Couple’s Murder, Awaiting Monday Court
Updated (2 articles)
Charges and Custody Details: Michael McKee, 39, was booked on January 11 and is being held in Winnebago County, Illinois on murder charges for shooting Spencer and Monique Tepe in their Columbus home; his next court appearance is scheduled for Monday [1][2].
Discovery of Victims During Wellness Check: Dispatchers flagged Spencer Tepe’s failure to report for work on December 30, prompting Columbus police to conduct a wellness check that uncovered the couple on the second floor with multiple gunshot wounds; their two young children were present but unharmed [1][2].
Security Footage of Person of Interest: Investigators released alley‑way footage showing an individual in a dark hoodie and light‑colored pants walking near the Tepes’ residence between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., a timeframe they believe aligns with the attack, though the person remains unidentified [1][2].
Coroner’s Preliminary Findings: The Franklin County Coroner’s Office classified the deaths as an apparent homicide by gunshot wounds, noting that full autopsy results will not be available for several weeks [1][2].
Background of Marriages and Family: McKee married Monique Tepe in 2015 and filed for divorce two years later; his Chicago address appears in court records. Monique married Spencer Tepe in 2020; the couple were described as “extraordinary” parents, with Monique a stay‑at‑home mother and Spencer a dentist [1][2].
Sources
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1.
King5: Ex-husband charged in murders of Ohio couple – Details McKee’s booking, the wellness‑check discovery, released security footage, coroner’s notes, and marital history, emphasizing the upcoming court date and lack of attorney information .
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2.
AP: Chicago man charged with murders of ex-wife and her husband – Highlights the same charges and custody facts, stresses that the children were unharmed, reiterates the security video, and notes McKee’s next court appearance, providing a concise national‑wire perspective .
Timeline
Dec 30, 2025 – Columbus police conduct a wellness check after Spencer Tepe fails to show up for work, and officers find Monique and Spencer Tepe with gunshot wounds on the second floor while their two children remain unharmed; dispatchers had described Tepe’s absence as “out of character.” [1][2]
2015 – Michael McKee and Monique Tepe marry in Chicago, establishing the relationship that later becomes a focal point of the investigation. [1]
2017 – McKee and Monique Tepe file for divorce, ending their marriage two years after tying the knot. [1]
2020 – Monique Tepe marries dentist Spencer Tepe; family later eulogizes the couple as “extraordinary people” and proud parents. [1]
Jan 2026 – Investigators release security‑camera footage showing a person in a dark hoodie and light‑colored pants walking an alley near the Tepes’ home between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., the window believed to cover the time of the attack. [1][2]
Jan 10, 2026 – Winnebago County authorities book Michael McKee, 39, on murder charges for the Columbus killings; he remains in custody in Illinois as the case proceeds. [1][2]
Jan 10, 2026 – The Franklin County Coroner’s Office states the deaths appear to be homicides by gunshot wounds, with full autopsy reports expected in several weeks. [1][2]
Jan 12, 2026 – McKee’s next court appearance is scheduled, moving the legal process forward. [1][2]