News Beat
Basic CCTV blunder led to arrest of ‘killer’ Michael McKee in murder of ex-wife & dentist husband as neighbors speak out
COPS have revealed the basic error made on CCTV that led them to arrest Michael McKee in the murder case of his ex-wife and her dentist husband.
It comes as shocked neighbors break their silence about the grisly double murder.
Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband Spencer, 37, were both found shot dead at their home in Weinland Park, Ohio, on December 30.
Their children, both under the age of 5, were found uninjured at the property that had no signs of forced entry.
The alarm was raised when Spencer failed to show up for work at Athens Dental Depot.
On Saturday, police confirmed that they had arrested and charged Monique’s ex-husband and vascular surgeon Michael David McKee in the case.
read more on the Tepe murders
They had previously released a video showing a person of interest in the case, who had not been identified, as they worked on the theory that the couple were murdered between 2am and 5am.
The individual was walking down a snow-covered alley near the Tepe family home with their hood up and hands in their coat pockets.
After the arrest of McKee, court documents detail that police were led to him by a basic CCTV blunder.
They tracked the suspect “to a vehicle which arrived just prior to the homicides and left shortly after,” detectives said in court docs.
The vehicle was located in Rockford, Illinois along with evidence that McKee had the vehicle both before and after the murders.
No motive has been issued but the family of the slain couple have spoken out about the arrest of McKee, saying they “suspected him from the beginning”.
The 39-year-old surgeon and Monique married on August 22, 2015 and separated just 7 months later in March 2016, divorce records show.
The official divorce proceedings began in May 2017 and were finalized by June 2017 on the grounds of incompatibility.
Following the news of McKee’s arrest, his shocked neighbors in Lincoln Park, Illinois, have broken their silence.
“He did not seem like somebody that would do something like this,” neighbor Gera-Lind Kolarik told ABC 7 Chicago.
Timeline of the deaths of Spencer u0026 Monique Tepe
DENTIST Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique were found dead inside their Ohio home on December 30.
2 am to 5 am: Cops believe Spencer and Monique were killed between this timeframe
8 am: Dentist where Spencer works opens
9:03 am: The first 911 call received
9:22 am: Cops go to the Tepe family home, where there is no answer
9:57 am: Worried friend calls cops, telling them they can hear children inside the home
10:05 am: The same person calls 911 again, telling dispatchers there’s a body near a bed
“You never know. You meet people everywhere, and you don’t know if they’re a serial killer.
“I sat down with this man, and talked with him at the pool, barbecuing, about what a beautiful day it is, and then he turns out to be a killer. It’s kind of shocking.”
“How do you explain to a child that mom and dad are here one day and gone the next… Those are the real victims of this whole case, are the children,” she added.
The U.S. Sun understands that Spencer and Monique’s children are being looked after by their brother-in-law as the family focuses on funeral arrangements and protecting the kids.
In a statement, the family said the couple remain “at the center of our hearts,” and vowed to “surround and protect the two children they leave behind,” while honoring the “light they brought into this world.”
At the time of their deaths, Spencer and Monique had just celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary.
McKee has been charged with two counts of murder and is being held at Winnebago County Jail.
He is expected to appear in court on Monday.
Tepe Family Full Statement
“Today’s 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.
“We thank the community for the continued support, prayers, and compassion shown throughout this tragedy.
“As the case proceeds, we trust the justice system to hold the person responsible 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.
“We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world.”
