Columbus Police Investigate Fatal Shooting of Couple in Weinland Park

Dentist and wife shot and killed inside Ohio home

Couple Found Dead During Welfare Check

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife, Monique Tepe, 39, were found fatally shot inside their Weinland Park home on December 30, 2025, authorities confirmed, and a suspect has since been charged in connection with their deaths. Officers responded to a request for a wellness check at the couple’s residence in the 1400 block of North 4th Street after Spencer did not show up for work and could not be reached by friends or colleagues. When officers arrived, both adults were discovered with gunshot wounds and were later pronounced dead.

Their two young children, ages 4 and 1, were found inside the home unharmed and were turned over to family members for care. Police ruled out murder‑suicide early in the investigation after finding no evidence of forced entry or a weapon at the scene, and the case was treated as a double homicide.

Suspect Identified and Charged

On January 10, 2026, law enforcement officials announced the arrest of 39‑year‑old Michael David McKee in connection with the murders. McKee was taken into custody in the Chicago, Illinois, area and charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe. According to court records, McKee is the ex‑husband of Monique Tepe, and detectives linked him to neighborhood surveillance footage showing a vehicle arriving near the couple’s home shortly before the killings and departing soon after.

A Winnebago County official said extradition papers had been signed and McKee was being held in the county jail awaiting transfer to Ohio for his next court appearance. Police have not publicly disclosed a motive but confirmed that investigators identified McKee based on video evidence, vehicle tracking, and other leads developed during the multi‑week inquiry.

Investigation and Community Reaction

Columbus police had previously released surveillance footage of a “person of interest” seen walking in an alleyway near the Tepe residence between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 30, and officers encouraged the public to provide tips or additional footage that might help identify suspects. No weapon was recovered at the scene during the initial investigation.

Authorities continued to gather evidence and interview possible witnesses in the days following the discovery of the bodies, with Columbus Division of Police Chief Elaine Bryant describing the case as “disturbing” and emphasizing the department’s commitment to solving it. The Columbus Police Department sought digital evidence such as video or photographs taken in the hours leading up to the shootings.

Family members, friends and community members expressed grief and shock after the deaths were confirmed. In a public statement, relatives described Spencer and Monique Tepe as devoted parents and generous members of the local community whose loss has deeply affected everyone who knew them.

Impact and Public Safety

The double murder drew widespread attention in Columbus and beyond, prompting discussions about neighborhood safety and the importance of swift investigative work in homicide cases. Although homicides in the city overall declined in 2025, police acknowledged that cases involving family and community members resonate deeply and can raise concerns among residents.

Authorities reiterated that while arrests have been made, the investigation remains active, and any additional evidence or tips from the public could assist prosecutors as the case moves forward. Residents with information related to the Weinland Park homicides are urged to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Unit.