Illinois surgeon indicted for double homicide of ex-wife and husband | US crime
An Ohio grand jury has indicted an Illinois surgeon in the double murders of his ex-wife and her dentist husband, who were killed in their Columbus home in December, in a case that initially sparked nationwide mystery.
Court records show a Franklin County grand jury on Jan. 16 indicted Michael David McKee on charges of aggravated murder and aggravated burglary while using a firearm suppressor.
McKee, a 39-year-old vascular surgeon living in Chicago, is accused of shooting and killing 39-year-old Monique Tepe, whom he divorced in 2017, and 37-year-old dentist Dr. Spencer Tepe in their home on December 30.
McKee’s attorney was not listed in court documents.
Authorities arrested McKee on January 10 in Rockford, Illinois. The hospital where he worked (OSF Saint Anthony medical center) said it was cooperating with the investigation. He is currently being held after waiving his right to an extradition hearing on Monday. His next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 23 in Winnebago County, Illinois.
Columbus police Chief Elaine Bryant said in an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday that authorities now believe McKee was the person seen in video footage from the night of the murder walking down a dark alley near Tepes’ home. He said his vehicle was also found wandering near the home, and a firearm found at his home in Illinois also matched evidence at the scene. Authorities did not say what type of firearm was used in the murder.
His arrest attracted national attention across the United States and ended nearly two weeks of speculation about the Tepes murders. There were no obvious signs of forced entry into the couple’s home. Police also said no weapons were found there and no murder-suicide is suspected.
Nothing was stolen, and the couple’s two young children and their dog remained unharmed in the home.
Byrant said police encourage the public to continue reporting. He said emails, phone calls and other messages left with Columbus police helped them gather enough evidence to make an arrest.
“We especially want to thank our community for stepping up, reaching out, giving us information, and being open to sharing it with us,” he said. “It was tremendous.”
