In a heartbreaking development that has deepened the horror surrounding the December 30, 2025, double homicide of Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, Columbus police have disclosed disturbing new details from preliminary autopsy findings and forensic analysis. According to sources close to the investigation, Spencer was struck by five gunshot wounds, while Monique sustained only one fatal shot. The estimated times of death indicate a critical sequence: Spencer died first, followed by Monique, creating a chilling possibility that the killer may have had time to speak with her before delivering the final, lethal blow.
The couple was discovered in their Weinland Park home in Columbus, Ohio, after concerned friends and colleagues raised alarms when Spencer, a respected dentist, failed to appear for work at Athens Dental Depot—an uncharacteristic absence that prompted immediate worry. A colleague’s 911 call around 9 a.m. described the couple as unreachable, leading to a welfare check. Police initially arrived at the wrong address due to an error, delaying the response. A friend later entered the home and reported seeing a body and blood, prompting a full emergency response. First responders pronounced both victims deceased at approximately 10:11 a.m., with their two young children—a 4-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son—along with the family dog, found physically unharmed inside the residence.
Investigators quickly classified the deaths as a targeted double homicide, ruling out murder-suicide. No signs of forced entry were evident, and no firearm was recovered at the scene, suggesting the perpetrator may have had access or knowledge of the home’s security, possibly entering via a passcode. Shell casings were collected, pointing to a firearm as the weapon.
The grim autopsy insights, emerging in early January 2026 as the Franklin County Coroner’s Office continued its detailed examination (with full reports expected in weeks), paint a picture of a violent, personal attack. Spencer, described by family as a devoted father and energetic friend, suffered multiple wounds—five in total—indicating a more prolonged or frenzied assault on him. Monique, a loving stay-at-home mother known for her warmth and infectious laugh, was hit once, likely to the chest or torso, in what appears to have been a deliberate final act.
Forensic timing of the deaths, based on body temperature, rigor mortis, and other indicators, places Spencer’s demise earlier in the sequence. This gap suggests the killer may have lingered, confronting Monique after neutralizing her husband. Speculation among investigators and experts includes the possibility of a brief, tense exchange—perhaps words rooted in past grievances—before the single shot ended her life. The contrast in the number of wounds has fueled theories that Spencer was seen as the primary obstacle or target, while Monique’s killing carried a more personal, almost symbolic weight.
The case took a dramatic turn on January 10, 2026, when Michael David McKee, Monique’s ex-husband and a 39-year-old vascular surgeon living in Chicago, was arrested in Rockford, Illinois. Authorities linked him to the crime through neighborhood surveillance video showing a hooded figure walking calmly in an alley near the home during the estimated window of the murders—between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on December 30. The vehicle seen in connection with the figure was traced back to McKee, who was in possession of it before and after the incident. Charges were swiftly upgraded to two counts of premeditated aggravated murder, reflecting prosecutors’ belief in prior calculation and design.
McKee and Monique (then Sabaturski) married on August 22, 2015, in a union that lasted less than two years. The divorce, finalized in June 2017 on grounds of incompatibility, appeared straightforward on paper—no children together, no major documented disputes, and no restraining orders. McKee relocated for his medical career, while Monique rebuilt her life in Ohio. She met Spencer online, and the couple wed in December 2020, creating a joyful family filled with love, laughter, and devotion to their children. Friends described them as “the life of the party” and “generous with kind hearts,” a stark contrast to the darkness that allegedly shadowed Monique’s first marriage.
Close confidants of Monique have previously shared accounts of emotional abuse and fear during her time with McKee, including reports of bruises hidden under clothing and a sense of constant dread. While no formal abuse charges surfaced during the divorce, these revelations—combined with the execution-style nature of the killings and the time differential in deaths—have intensified scrutiny on possible long-buried resentment. Experts suggest the motive may stem from festering bitterness over the failed marriage, amplified by Monique’s happy second life, family, and evident contentment nearly nine years later.
McKee, a graduate of Ohio State University with no prior criminal record, appeared emotionless during his initial court appearance in Illinois, waiving extradition. He now faces extradition to Ohio, where aggravated murder carries the possibility of life without parole or even the death penalty. His employer cooperated with authorities, and neighbors expressed shock at the allegations against someone they described as outwardly ordinary.
The Tepe family, including Spencer’s brother-in-law Rob Misleh, has expressed profound gratitude for law enforcement’s efforts, stating the arrest marks “an important step toward justice.” They remain focused on protecting and nurturing the orphaned children, who are surrounded by relatives. A GoFundMe campaign and community support continue to provide for their future, while public visitations and celebrations of life were held in early January to honor the couple’s memory.
As the investigation proceeds, the chilling forensic detail—five shots for Spencer, one for Monique, with her death coming last—serves as a haunting reminder of the personal cruelty involved. It underscores the terror of the final moments and raises profound questions about what words, if any, were exchanged in those last seconds. The community of Columbus continues to grieve, holding vigils and sharing stories of Spencer and Monique’s kindness, while awaiting full justice in a case that has gripped the nation.
