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Michael McKee Arraigned in Ohio Double Homicide, Pleads Not Guilty, No Bond Set

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Arraignment Confirms Not Guilty Plea and No Bond Michael David McKee appeared before the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas on Jan 23, entered a not‑guilty plea to every charge, and the judge ordered he be held without bond. He had been extradited from Winnebago County, Illinois, and was booked into the James A. Karnes Corrections Center before the hearing. The arraignment follows a grand‑jury indictment issued earlier in the month. [1]

Four Murder Counts and Burglary Charged with Firearm Suppressor The indictment lists four aggravated murder counts and one aggravated burglary count, each charged while using a firearm suppressor. Prosecutors allege the murders of Monique Tepe and Dr. Spencer Tepe occurred on Dec. 30 in their Weinland Park home. Identical charges appear in court filings reported by multiple outlets. [1][2][3][4]

Surveillance Video, Vehicle, and Firearm Link Suspect to Crime Scene Neighborhood surveillance captured a vehicle arriving before the shots and leaving afterward; investigators later located that vehicle in Rockford, Illinois, confirming McKee’s ownership. A firearm recovered from McKee’s Illinois residence matched ballistic evidence from the scene, and additional weapons seized from his Ohio property include one preliminarily linked to the killings. Police chief Elaine Bryant described the attack as a targeted domestic‑violence incident. [1][2][3][4]

Potential Sentence Stipulates Life Prison with Parole After Decades If convicted on all counts, Ohio law mandates a minimum life sentence with parole eligibility after 32 years. The severe penalty reflects the aggravated nature of the murders and the burglary charge. Both WBNS reports note this sentencing framework. [1][2]

Sources (4 articles)

Timeline

Dec 30, 2025 – Monique Tepe (39) and Dr. Spencer Tepe (37) are found shot to death inside their Weinland Park home in Columbus during a wellness check; their two children (ages 4 and 1) and family dog are unharmed, and investigators note no forced entry or weapon recovered at the scene[4][20].

2015 – 2017 – Monique Tepe marries vascular surgeon Michael David McKee in 2015; the couple divorces in 2017, and Monique later marries Spencer Tepe in 2020[3][20].

Early Jan 2026 – Columbus police release surveillance video showing a person in a dark hoodie walking down an alley near the Tepes’ home between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., marking the first public digital evidence in the case[19].

Jan 5, 2026 – Police publicly discuss the investigation for the first time, outlining the timeline of the welfare check and confirming that 9 mm shell casings were recovered at the scene[18].

Jan 10, 2026 – Federal agents arrest Michael David McKee in Rockford, Illinois (at a Chick‑fil‑A) on two counts of murder; he is held in Winnebago County pending extradition to Ohio[8][14].

Jan 11, 2026 – Franklin County Municipal Court charges McKee with two counts of murder, later amended to pre‑meditated aggravated murder; the charges cite video and vehicle evidence linking him to the scene[17][19].

Jan 12, 2026 – In Winnebago County court, McKee waives his right to an extradition hearing, clearing the way for transport to Ohio; his public defender says he will plead not guilty[7][16].

Jan 13, 2026 – With the extradition waiver, Columbus police plan the suspect’s return to Franklin County, weighing whether CPD officers or a private transport service will move him[14][14].

Jan 14, 2026 – Police search McKee’s property and recover multiple firearms; one weapon shows a preliminary link to the Tepes’ killings through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN)[11][15]. Chief Elaine Bryant describes the killings as “a targeted domestic‑violence attack”[14].

Jan 15, 2026 – While awaiting extradition, McKee remains in the Winnebago County Jail; a Chicago neighbor recalls him as “pleasant and ordinary” before learning of his connection to the Ohio murders[9].

Jan 16, 2026 – A Franklin County grand jury indicts McKee on four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary while using a firearm suppressor; the indictment formalizes the state’s case and carries a potential life sentence with parole eligibility after 32 years[1][10].

Jan 20, 2026 – McKee is extradited to Ohio and booked into the James A. Karnes Corrections Center; he faces the four aggravated‑murder counts and the burglary charge, and investigators reiterate that surveillance linked his vehicle to the scene[13].

Key quotes:

Chief Bryant: “The attack is targeted and domestic‑violence related.”[5]

Friend Gina Spinale: “Everyone knew ‘this was the guy.’”[12]

Tepe family statement: “We trust the justice system to hold the person accountable while protecting our two children.”[7].

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