Michael David McKee, 39, has been charged with two counts of murder
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NEED TO KNOW
- Michael David McKee has been charged with murder in connection with the killings of Ohio dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique Tepe
- McKee is the ex-husband of Monique
- The couple was found fatally shot in their home on Dec. 30
After an Ohio couple was found slain in their home, the ex-husband of the woman killed has been charged with murder.
Monique and Spencer Tepe were found fatally shot in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 30. The couple’s two young children were found physically unharmed and have since been in the care of extended family.
Michael David McKee was arrested on Saturday, Jan. 10, and has been charged with two counts of murder, according to Franklin County Municipal Court documents viewed by PEOPLE.
A warrant was initially issued earlier in the day on Jan. 10 for McKee’s arrest. Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office records show McKee, 39, was booked shortly before 12 p.m. local time.
He will remain there until authorities extradite him back to Franklin County. Court records show McKee is scheduled for a hearing there on Monday, Jan. 12.
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Monique, 39, and Spencer, 37, were found dead inside their home after Spencer’s co-workers and a friend made several 911 calls for a welfare check on the couple.
They grew concerned when Spencer did not show up for work and after one co-worker had tried in vain to contact him for three hours, per 911 call recordings obtained by PEOPLE.
A friend who previously called 911 from outside the couple’s residence told dispatchers he could hear the children, ages 4 and 1, crying inside.
Nearly a week after the killings, Columbus police had released surveillance footage of a person they said was of interest to investigators.
The video showed a hooded figure with their face obscured, walking calmly in a snowy alleyway near the couple’s home around the timeframe authorities estimate the Tepes were killed, police said in a prior update.
During a later investigation using neighborhood video surveillance, police identified a suspect, who they tracked to a car that arrived before the deaths and left shortly after, according to a complaint obtained by PEOPLE.
Authorities were able to track the vehicle and link it to McKee, and once the car was located, police found evidence that McKee was “in possession of the vehicle prior to and after the homicides,” the complaint states.
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The Office of Coroner Nathaniel R. Overmire at the Franklin County Forensic Science Center told PEOPLE the apparent causes of deaths for the couple were gunshot wounds. An official cause of death for both has yet to be released, pending other details required for the coroner’s determination, such as toxicology reports, the coroner’s office explained.
In an incident report reviewed by PEOPLE, the Columbus Division of Police said Monique and Spencer were pronounced deceased at the scene.
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Spencer and Monique were known among loved ones for their warmth, kindness and dedication to building a life “rooted in love,” their family said in a statement following their killings.
“They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others,” read part of the statement shared with PEOPLE by Spencer’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh.
“We are heartbroken beyond words,” he continued, adding that the family is “committed to seeing this tragedy fully and fairly brought to justice.”
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