Ohio Dentist Murder Case: Former Spouse Arrested
Chicago, Illinois – The former husband of an Ohio dentist’s wife, who is now facing murder charges alongside his ex-wife, has been traveling across the country for nearly ten years following their divorce. A coworker noted that his time in Nevada marked the beginning of a troubling decline that seemed to lead up to the recent murder allegations.
Michael David McKee, 39, was taken into custody on suspicion of murdering Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, in Columbus, Ohio. Police discovered the couple’s bodies in their home in the Weinland Park area on the morning of December 30, both victims of gunshot wounds.
McKee is Monique’s former spouse. Spencer’s brother-in-law, Rob Misley, expressed to NBC News that the family had an immediate belief that McKee might be linked to their deaths. “He was emotionally abusive when we were together. That’s all I know,” Misley remarked.
A frantic 911 caller reported “There’s a body” just before the Tepe couple was found deceased.
McKee was arrested at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office just before noon on Saturday. He is charged with premeditated aggravated murder in connection with the deaths of Spencer and Monique.
Records reveal that McKee and Monique married on August 22, 2015, but separated by March 2016, within seven months. Monique’s divorce filing indicated they were “incompatible” during their brief marriage, which resulted in no children.
In 2016, McKee was completing his residency at Virginia Tech’s Carilion Clinic, earning an income of $51,000. They owned a home in Roanoke, Virginia, valued approximately at $219,500, along with several vehicles.
Monique’s divorce documents showed they had not established a joint bank account and she was unsure of McKee’s financial status. Her financial disclosures revealed she had little knowledge of her assets as well.
Their separation agreement noted “differences of opinion” were a significant factor in their decision to part ways. Importantly, each retained most personal assets, including their bank accounts.
Career Timeline of Michael McKee:
2005-2009: Attended Ohio State University for undergraduate studies.
2009-2014: Studied medicine at The Ohio State University.
2014-2015: Completed an internship in general surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
2015-2020: Interned in general surgery at Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic.
2020-2022: Completed a Vascular Surgery Fellowship at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
2022-2025: Licensed to practice in several states, including California, Nevada, and Illinois, working as a vascular surgeon at Las Vegas Surgical Associates during 2023-2024.
2025-2026: Served as a vascular surgeon at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois.
Those familiar with McKee reported he had little experience before joining Las Vegas Surgical Associates, claiming his career took a hit after a series of alleged surgical errors. A source described his behavior in tense situations as always calm and collected.
Yet, there was a sense of recklessness for allowing him to proceed with high-risk surgeries despite his shortcomings. “Why is a man who has been inactive for a year and a half, two years allowed to do crazy things like this?” the source questioned.
Police identified McKee through links to a vehicle spotted in the Tepes’ neighborhood shortly before the murders; the car was later located in Rockford, Illinois, with evidence tying it to him.
The couple was tragically killed just one month before their fifth wedding anniversary, Misley pointed out.
