Columbus police have arrested the ex-husband of a woman found murdered alongside her current husband in their North Side home. The arrest ends a two-week investigation that authorities say revealed a targeted domestic violence attack.
“We believe at this point we have the person responsible for the murders of Monique and Spencer Tepe in custody, and that person is Michael McKee,” Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said during a Wednesday press conference.
The couple were found dead when patrol officers responded to a wellness check at 10:04 a.m. on Dec. 30. Both were pronounced dead at 10:11 a.m. Their two young children were found physically unharmed inside the home.
“This was a targeted attack. This was a domestic violence related attack,” Bryant said. “We can say that we have the suspect’s vehicle on neighborhood video surveillance arriving just before the murders and leaving shortly after.”
Authorities recovered multiple weapons from McKee’s property, according to Bryant. A preliminary analysis through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network linked one weapon to the homicides, she said.
The investigation relied heavily on community cooperation. Columbus police released surveillance footage Jan. 5 showing a person of interest walking in an alley near the Tepes’ home during the timeframe of the murders. The video prompted numerous tips from residents and businesses.
“We have received and are continuing to receive numerous tips from the community, which our detectives are following up on,” police said in the Jan. 5 statement.
Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther praised the partnership between law enforcement and citizens during the recent press conference.
“Members of the community stepped forward with video footage and tips. Like so many cases CPD solved in 2025, the public helped us work this case,” Ginther said. “It’s a clear example of how public safety is strongest when police and community are working together.”
The mayor noted the Columbus Division of Police solved 100 homicide cases in 2025, crediting detective work and community information.
“She was willing to do anything to get out of there,” Misleh said. “We just want justice. We want this person that took so much from not just us as a family, but so many more people, and obviously the kids especially, we want this person to pay for what they did.”
Bryant said that while the case has garnered national attention, detectives work with equal intensity on all homicides.
“Our detectives work around the clock to be able to solve this case, but it’s equally important to know that while this is gaining national attention, we work around the clock to solve all of our homicide cases,” Bryant said.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue reviewing evidence, tips, and video footage, according to the Jan. 10 police statement. Authorities have withheld certain details to protect the integrity of prosecution efforts.
“We do not compromise the active and ongoing case progress; information will be released as appropriate,” police said in their Facebook announcement of McKee’s arrest.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Tip Line at 614-645-2228, according to authorities. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
