COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 39-year-old man is facing murder charges in connection with the deaths of a couple who were shot inside their Weinland Park home last week, according to court records.

According to Franklin County Municipal Court records, Michael McKee is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of 37-year-old Spencer Tepe and 39-year-old Monique Tepe.

Documents from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas confirm that McKee is Monique’s ex-husband.

Credit: Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office

Records say police were able to identify McKee through neighborhood video surveillance. He was reportedly tracked to a vehicle that arrived just before the shootings and left shortly after.

Detectives were able to identify the vehicle and link it to McKee, according to court records. They later located the vehicle in Rockford, Illinois and found evidence that McKee had ownership of the vehicle.

According to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office website, McKee was booked on Saturday morning. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

The Tepe family released a statement on Saturday afternoon after the arrest. Read the full statement below:

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 the 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.

Timeline of events

Dec. 30

Columbus police were called on a well-being check around 10 a.m. in the 1400 block of North 4th Street after co-workers and friends reported they had not heard from the couple. Officers later found Spencer and Monique dead inside the residence.

Several co-workers of Spencer, a dentist who practiced at a clinic in Athens, called 911 after he failed to show up for work and could not be reached. Callers told dispatchers the lack of contact was out of character and raised concerns that something may have happened to the family.

According to 911 calls released by authorities, coworkers reported being unable to reach either Spencer or Monique and said the situation was becoming increasingly concerning.

Police initially checked the home but did not see anything suspicious. Additional 911 calls were made as coworkers and friends gathered at the house, reporting they could hear children inside but were unable to get anyone to answer the door.

A friend later gained entry to the home and found Spencer’s body. Police said both Spencer and Monique had been shot.

Investigators said no weapon was found at the scene and there were no signs of forced entry.

According to a Columbus police report, detectives found spent 9mm shell casings at the scene.

Jan. 2

Columbus police began seeking the public’s help, asking that anyone who may have video, photos or any other digital evidence related to the incident to submit it using a specialized QR code.

The area in question ranged from Summit Street to North Grant Avenue and East 7th Avenue to East 11th Avenue. The initial time frame police were interested in was midnight to 9 a.m. on Dec. 30.

Later that day, Spencer and Monique’s family released a statement.

The full statement can be read below:

Our family is devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of Spencer and Monique. They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others.

Spencer was a devoted and proud father, a loving partner, and a friend to everyone he met. He was intelligent, warm, and endlessly welcoming. A graduate of The Ohio State University and a member of the American Dental Association, Spencer was fluent in Spanish and deeply committed to serving others. He gave back through Big Brothers Big Sisters, a huge Bengals and Buckeyes fan, and lived life with energy, laughter, and generosity.

Monique was a loving, patient, and joyful mother whose warmth defined her. With a background in childhood education, she brought care and intention into everything she did. She was an excellent baker, a thoughtful planner, and someone who found joy in bringing people together. Her kindness made people feel instantly at home.

Together, Spencer and Monique shared a beautiful, strong, and deeply happy relationship. They loved to travel, to laugh, and to build a life rooted in love. They were proud parents of two beautiful children and their beloved Goldendoodle, and they created a home filled with warmth, happiness, and connection.

We are heartbroken beyond words. While no outcome can ever undo this loss, our family is committed to seeing this tragedy fully and fairly brought to justice, and to honoring Spencer and Monique by protecting the future of the children they loved so deeply.

Jan. 5

Police released video of a person of interest in the case. They said the individual was walking in an alley near Spencer and Monique’s home between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., which narrowed their timeline in question.

The footage does not clearly show the person’s face, but investigators hoped someone could recognize their clothing, mannerisms or the way the person walks.