Illinois Surgeon Pleads Not Guilty in Ohio Double Murder Case

An Illinois surgeon, Michael David McKee, 39, pleaded not guilty today, February 4, 2026, to charges related to the December shooting deaths of his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, in Columbus, Ohio. The plea was entered remotely during an arraignment in Franklin County court.

McKee faces four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary with a firearm suppressor, stemming from the December 30th double homicide. He did not speak during the brief hearing, and his defense attorney, Diane Menashe, waived a request for bond at this time.

The Case and Investigation

The investigation began after Columbus police conducted a wellness check on Dr. Spencer Tepe at approximately 10:00 a.m. On December 30th. His manager at a dental practice in Athens, Ohio, reported his absence from work, noting it was highly unusual. A subsequent call to 911 from a man identifying himself as a friend of Dr. Tepe revealed the discovery of the bodies. The caller described finding Dr. Tepe’s body in a second-floor bedroom, in a pool of blood.

Initial reports indicated no signs of forced entry, no weapon found at the scene, and no obvious motive, contributing to the initial mystery surrounding the case. Police later stated that McKee was identified as a person of interest after reviewing video footage showing an individual walking down an alley adjacent to the Tepe’s home on the night of the killings. A firearm recovered from McKee’s Chicago apartment was determined to be a ballistic match to evidence found at the crime scene, and his vehicle’s movements were tracked from Columbus back to Illinois.

Background of Michael McKee

Michael McKee attended Catholic high school in Zanesville, Ohio, and later enrolled at Ohio State University in September 2005, concurrently with his future wife, Monique Sabaturski. Both graduated with bachelor’s degrees in June 2009. Sabaturski obtained a master of education degree from Ohio State in 2011, while McKee completed his medical degree there in 2014.

The couple married in Columbus in August 2015, but were living apart when Monique filed for divorce in May 2017. The divorce was finalized in June 2017. At the time, McKee was residing in Virginia. He completed a two-year fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center in October 2022.

Prior to his work in Illinois, McKee held medical licenses in California and Nevada. He was also named in a personal injury lawsuit in a Las Vegas court in 2023. His Illinois medical license became active in October 2024, and he was employed at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, at the time of his arrest. The medical center has declined to provide specific details regarding his employment dates.

The Victims

Monique and Spencer Tepe were described by family members as “extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy and deep connection to others.” Monique was remembered as a “joyful mother,” an avid baker, and a “thoughtful planner.” The couple married in 2020.

Dr. Spencer Tepe earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University in 2012 and his doctor of dental surgery degree in 2017. He was a member of the American Dental Association and actively involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

The Tepe’s had two young children and a family dog, both of whom were present in the home at the time of the killings and were unharmed.

Potential Penalties

If convicted on the aggravated murder charges, McKee faces a minimum sentence of life in prison with parole eligibility after 32 years, and a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The aggravated burglary charge also carries potential penalties upon conviction.

The case remains ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings continue.