A man charged in the fatal shootings of an Ohio dentist and his wife was previously married to one of the victims, a relationship that ended nearly 10 years before the killings, court records show.
Michael David McKee, 39, has been charged with aggravated murder in connection with the deaths of Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, Spencer Tepe, 37. The couple were found shot to death inside their Columbus home on Dec. 30.
Monique Tepe and McKee were married in August 2015, but their relationship quickly deteriorated. Court filings indicate the couple lived together for only seven months before separating in March 2016. Monique filed for divorce in June 2017, citing incompatibility. The divorce was finalized later that year.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive for the killings or said whether Monique or Spencer had expressed concerns about McKee in the years leading up to the crime.
The Tepe couple were killed just feet away from their two young children, ages 4 and 1, who were inside the home at the time. The children were not physically harmed. Family members have said they are struggling to determine how to explain the loss of their parents to them.
McKee was initially charged with two counts of murder following his arrest on Jan. 10. Investigators allege that neighborhood surveillance footage showed a vehicle arriving near the Tepe home shortly before the shootings and leaving soon afterward.
According to a criminal complaint, police were able to trace the vehicle and link it to McKee. Investigators allege evidence showed he was in possession of the vehicle both before and after the homicides.
Prosecutors later upgraded the charges to aggravated murder.
McKee appeared in court in Illinois on Jan. 12, where he waived his right to extradition to Ohio. His attorney indicated that McKee intends to plead not guilty to the charges. Authorities said the waiver allows for his transfer back to Ohio to face prosecution.
The case remains under investigation.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential help is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or online.