Tepe murder case: ‘We believe … we have the person responsible,’ police chief says

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COLUMBUS, OHIO (WCMH) — Columbus police said Wednesday that they believe Dr. Michael McKee acted alone and that there are no other suspects in the north Columbus shooting deaths of his ex-wife and her husband, a case that was drawn national attention

Police Chief Elaine Bryant shared updates into the deaths of Monique and Spencer Tepe, the Weinland Park couple found shot dead in their home on North 4th Street, while their children, ages 4 and 1, were left unharmed.

The man accused of shooting a Weinland Park could spend at least the next nine days in Illinois, while awaiting extradition to Columbus.

“We believe at this point we have the person responsible for the murders of Monique and Spencer Tepe, and that person is Michael McKee,” Bryant said.  “We can’t speak to all of the specifics related to this case, so we don’t want to jeopardize the ultimate conviction.”

The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing and Columbus police were seen this week collecting potential evidence at McKee’s Chicago residence, The Pierre apartment building on North Lincoln Park West.

Bryant said evidence recovered from Chicago connects McKee to the murders, though a motive at this time is unknown. McKee is now facing premeditated aggravated murder charges in Franklin County Municipal Court.

“Multiple weapons were taken from the property of McKee, and there is a preliminary link to one of the weapons that ties it to the homicides,” Bryant said. “What we can say, this was a targeted attack. This was a domestic violence related attack as we know McKee is the ex-husband of Monique Tepe.”

Sgt. Joe Albert confirmed that those weapons were firearms, and surveillance video from the neighborhood captured one person walking in the vicinity of the shooting. Additional video evidence tied that person to a car registered to McKee, Monique’s ex-husband, as a possible suspect.

Police traced the vehicle to McKee, a licensed surgeon in two states and listed as a surgeon at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, where he was arrested without incident on Jan. 10. Bryant also said they used information from numerous tips from multiple sources.

“This was a targeted domestic violence attack that resulted in the deaths of two people and have recklessly changed the lives of their children, families, colleagues and friends,” Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said. “Our hearts remain with Spencer and Monique, their loved ones, and especially the children.”

According to Winnebago County Court records out of Rockford, Ill., an extradition hearing for Michael McKee has been scheduled for Friday, Jan. 23. Pending approval, McKee remains in custody at the Winnebago County Justice Center.

McKee, who was married to Monique Tepe for two years, beginning in Aug. 2015, is facing two counts of premeditated murder. He did not fight extradition proceedings and is expected to plead not guilty, according to an attorney at a court appearance Monday.