CINCINNATI — A 39-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a couple who were found fatally shot inside their Columbus home in late December.
According to Franklin County court documents, Michael David McKee is facing two charges of murder for the deaths of Monique Tepe, 39, and Spencer Tepe, 37.
McKee is Monique Tepe's ex-husband, according to Franklin County records.
McKee's vehicle was identified through neighborhood surveillance cameras, per court documents. The vehicle was then located in Rockford, Illinois, where McKee is currently being held in jail, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office.
Spencer and Monique Tepe were found dead Dec. 30 when police did a welfare check at their home. Spencer, who grew up in Mason, did not come into the dental clinic where he works, leading his coworkers to call 911 and request a welfare check.
Investigators said no weapons were found at the home, and there was no sign of forced entry. The couple's two small children were found inside the home, but both were unharmed, according to the incident report.
Rob Misleh, Spencer and Monique's brother-in-law, spoke with WCPO 9 News anchor Tanya O'Rourke about the moment he and his wife learned of the tragedy.
"It was her dad on the phone saying that Spencer is dead," Misleh said. "And there was no context yet, you know, ... I think we both just assumed car crash. And then finally, I said, 'Well, where's Monique? Where are the kids?' And he said, 'Well, Monique is dead too.'"
Watch our interview with Spencer and Monique's brother-in-law below:
"We don't know how to tell a 4-year-old that they're never going to see their mom and your daddy again, and it's, how do you and how do they? How does the 4-year-old understand?" Misleh said.
Misleh also told us he believes the murders were not random.
"It was not a random act where somebody broke in and (was), you know, trying to steal stuff, like, it seems a lot more intentional than that," he said.
When we asked him is he thought the murders were personal, Misleh said, "Yes."
After McKee's arrest Saturday, the Tepe family put out a statement saying his arrest "represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer."
"Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon, but we are grateful to the City of Columbus Police Department, its investigators and assisting law enforcement community whose tireless efforts helped to capture the person involved," the family said in a statement. "We thank the community for the continued support, prayers and compassion shown throughout this tragedy."
The family also said they trust the justice system to hold McKee, though they did not name him, fully accountable.
"Monique and Spencer remain at the center of our hearts, and we carry forward their love as we surround and protect the two children they leave behind," the family said. "We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world."
McKee is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 12, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office.
