One of Michael David McKee’s neighbors was left stunned when she discovered that the same man she had chatted with around the pool had been arrested and charged with the murders of Ohio dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique Tepe, earlier this month.
“He did not seem like somebody who would do something like this,” Gera-Lind Kolarik explained in an interview with ABC 7 Chicago. “I sat down with this man and talked with him at the pool, barbecuing, about what a beautiful day it is — and then he turns out to be [charged as] a killer. It’s kind of shocking.”
Spencer and Monique were allegedly shot and killed in their Ohio home in the early morning hours of December 30. They were discovered after a concerned coworker of Spencer’s called 911 and requested a welfare check after failing to get a hold of the dentist, who unceremoniously didn’t show up to work that day.
Columbus detectives identified McKee, 39 — who was reportedly married to Monique, 39, from 2015 until she filed for divorce in 2017 — as a suspect in their murders after seeing his car parked near the Tepe’s home using neighborhood surveillance. According to court documents obtained by People, his vehicle “arrived just prior to the homicides and left shortly after.”
On Saturday, January 10, McKee was taken into custody and charged. McKee is currently in jail and is set to be extradited to Franklin County in the near future. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, January 12.
As Us Weekly previously reported, Spencer and Monique were remembered as “the life of the party” who had “generous” and “kind hearts,” per their obituary.
Spencer’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh, told People that their family was “heartbroken beyond words” and “committed to seeing this tragedy fully and fairly brought to justice.”
The couple’s joint celebration of life was held on Sunday, January 11.
In the days following their tragic deaths, Spencer’s cousin, Audrie Mackie (née Tepe) also launched a GoFundMe to help raise money for their two children, who were reportedly in the house at the time of their parents’ murders but left unharmed.
“Our family is devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of Spencer and Monique Tepe. They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others,” the summary for the fundraiser read. “They were the proud parents of two beautiful children, and every day they showed up with unwavering love and devotion to their family.”
Mackie continued in the summary, “The abrupt loss of Spencer and Monique has changed daily life in ways that are still unfolding. This fund exists to help provide stability and care for their children and the immediate family members who are supporting them during this time. The outpouring of love has meant more than words can express. Thank you for helping support the children as the family, together, takes each day one step at a time.”
The fundraiser has earned more than $205,000 in donations at the time of publication.
