An Ohio surgeon, charged with the murders of his ex-wife and her husband, has entered a not guilty plea following his extradition to face the charges. Michael McKee was taken into custody on January 10 under suspicion of fatally shooting 37-year-old Spencer Tepe and 39-year-old Monique Tepe on December 30 at their Columbus home.
McKee was apprehended in Rockford, Illinois, and detained in the Winnebago County Jail before being sent back to Columbus. He is currently held at the James A. Kearns Correctional Center, facing charges of premeditated aggravated murder related to both deaths.
During a remote arraignment hearing on Tuesday, McKee pleaded not guilty to four counts of premeditated aggravated murder with a firearm, as well as aggravated robbery. The aggravated murder charges include allegations that McKee utilized or displayed an automatic weapon or silencer, along with a separate charge for brandishing a firearm.
McKee is being represented by Diane Menashe, who has been practicing law for 27 years and previously defended Dr. William Heusel, an Ohio physician who was acquitted of multiple murder charges linked to overprescription of painkillers.
Police identified McKee after tracing a vehicle that was in the vicinity of the Tepe residence shortly before and after the shooting. This vehicle was later located in Illinois, and evidence pointed to McKee as the owner. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant reported that several firearms were seized from McKee, including one preliminarily linked to the murders.
A 911 call made by a friend of the Tepe couple revealed the chilling discovery of their bodies. The caller stated, “There’s a dead body,” after checking on their friend who hadn’t answered his phone.
Court documents indicate that Monique and McKee were married for only seven months before opting for separation. Monique filed for divorce while McKee was in residency, citing incompatibility.
After the incident, Spencer and Monique’s two children were found unharmed in their home, although their 1-year-old child was likely confined to a crib during the ordeal. Rob Misley, Spencer’s brother-in-law, noted the couple was looking forward to celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary shortly before their tragic deaths.
