Ohio police continue to investigate Ohio dentist murders Spencer and Monique Tepewho were found shot to death in their home with their two children “unharmed” more than a week ago, according to investigators.
Authorities announced on January 10, 2025 that a Chicago man had been arrested in connection with her death.
The Columbus Police Division shared images of a person of interest on January 5, 2026 and said the agency has received several tips.
Us Weekly explains everything there is to know about the case so far.
When were Spencer and Monique Tepe killed?
Investigators suspect Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, were shot to death in the upstairs of their Columbus home between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on December 30, 2025.
They lived in the Weinland Park neighborhood of Columbus with their two small children and a goldendoodle, The shipment of Columbus informed
Around the time investigators believe the Tepes were killed, police shared on Jan. 5 that a person of interest was seen walking down an alley next to their residence.
Images shared by the Columbus Division of Police show the individual wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and light-colored pants.
While speaking with WSYX on Jan. 8, 2026, Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said “We know there are many concerns already many questions around this case.”
“Unfortunately, there are some things we can’t talk about for the integrity of the investigation,” Bryant added.
What happened the day Spencer and Monique Tepe were killed?
On the morning of December 30, one of Spencer Tepe’s colleagues at Athens Dental Depot, where he worked as a dentist, he called the police around 9 a.m. after he failed to show up for work, according to reports The shipment of Columbus.
This prompted police to conduct a welfare check.
The newspaper has since reported that an officer initially went there the wrong house that morning
A family friend later found the Tepes dead in their home, they said The shipment of Columbus.
Then, around 10:04 that morning, officers entered the home and found Spencer and Monique Tepe had been shot, according to a police incident report previewed by we.
More than a week before the murders, on the morning of December 19, 2025, a woman who lived near the couple call 911 about someone “knocking” on her door, Fox News reported, citing a 911 transcript.
The woman told a dispatcher she didn’t know who was at her home, the company said. Call logs of the incident said “the problem went out” about 15 minutes later.
Bryant told WSYX that the Tepes’ case is complex and that his department will share more information as it becomes available.
“Right now it’s premature for us to say what the motive is, or we don’t have a suspect identified at this time,” Bryant said.
Is there an official cause of death for Spencer and Monique Tepe?
Official reports on the couple’s death are pending, they said Jeremy Blakethe director of public affairs for the Franklin County Coroner’s Office.
Blake said earlier we that “Currently, we would use the term apparent homicide by gunshot wounds.”
What was Spencer and Monique Tepe’s relationship like?
An online obituary for the couple says: “Spencer and Monique met online and quickly made their relationship grow on a solid foundation of love and respect with a side of madness.”
They were married in a private ceremony attended by their loved ones on December 13, 2020, according to the obituary.
Both were the “life of the party” and would host various gatherings for family and friends, the obituary said.
Spencer Tepe, according to the obituary, was “passionate about dentistry,” playing soccer and golf, “entertaining family and friends” and focusing on “taking care of his family.”
Monique Tepe “was a stay-at-home mom known for her bright smile, infectious laugh, caring heart and bubbly personality.”
On January 11, 2026, a memorial service and a celebration of life will be held for the Tepes.
Monique Tepe’s ex-husband, Michael D. McKee, was arrested in her and Spencer Tepe’s deaths
The Columbus Police Division said on January 10, 2025 that Michael D. McKee had been charged with murder in the murders of Spencer and Monique Tepe.
Mckee was taken into custody in Illinois, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office previously confirmed we.
Mckee, 39, of Chicago, was previously married to Monique Tepe, 39, The Columbus Dispatch reported. After about two years of marriage, they filed for divorce in May 2017, the newspaper reported, citing court records.
On Monday, Jan. 12, the charges against Mckee were upgraded to two counts of aggravated first degree murder, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
we previously informed that McKee was accused of making a mistake, allowing himself to be caught on camera, which resulted in his arrest.
Authorities linked McKee to the killings after they said his car was spotted near El Tepe’s home through neighborhood watch. According to court documents seen by People, detectives said McKee’s vehicle “arrived just before the homicides and left shortly after.”
One of McKee’s neighbors was shocked to learn he was arrested in connection with the Tepes murders, ABC 7 Chicago reported.
“It didn’t look like someone who would do something like that,” Gera-Lind Kolarik told the outlet “I sat down with this man and talked to him by the pool, having a barbecue, about what a beautiful day it is, and then he turns out to be (accused as) a murderer. It’s kind of shocking.”
McKee worked as a vascular surgeon at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, people informed
The facility was pronounced after McKee’s arrest.
The center said people on Monday, Jan. 13 that he is “cooperating with authorities who will provide any additional information.”