This timeline, updated as needed, tracks developments in the killings of Spencer and his wife, Monique Tepe. Information has been verified through official records and documents, and all sources are cited that used information not obtained by Bulletin staff member Kyla Anderson.

DECEMBER 7, 2025 (APPROXIMATE):

According to a now unsealed affidavit (1.27.26) filed from Franklin County Municipal Court, police have alleged that Michael David McKee stalked Monique Tepe and her husband, Spencer Tepe, in the weeks leading up to their deaths. Detectives located surveillance of McKee walking through Tepe’s yard nearly a month before the murders. This was captured during the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis that the Tepe’s were attending that night. The affidavit relays that Monique told a friend she left the game early due to being upset about something that involved her ex-husband. 

DECEMBER 30, 2025:

2:00-5:00 a.m. The estimated time of death given by investigators on the case, as well as the released surveillance footage, which shows a POI walking in an alley near the home, took place within this timeframe.

8:00 a.m. Athens Dental Depot, Mr. Tepe’s workplace opens.

8:58:26 a.m. Dr. Mark Valrose contacted the Columbus Police Department (CPD) and called in a welfare check after expressing concerns about Spenser’s absence at work. Mr. Valrose reports being unable to reach both Spenser and Monique. 

9:10:10 a.m. The officer is dispatched to conduct the welfare check

9:15:31 a.m. The CPD arrived to conduct a welfare check. NOTE: The welfare check was conducted at the wrong house as the officer mistakenly knocked on the wrong house. No answer was recorded during the check (9:22 a.m.)

9:56:18 a.m. A man called CDP is reported to have heard kids and showed up to the home himself after the first initial welfare check done by the police.  

“I can hear kids inside, and I swear I think I heard one yell, but we can’t get in. At this point, I don’t know if I need to break the door in or just get in the house or what.” 

NOTE: The Columbus Division of Police released 911 audio and related call records in response to a public records request filed by this reporter. 

9:58:51 a.m. Another call was placed by a female co-worker who was en route to the Tepe home. She expressed concern when Spenser failed to show up to work. 

10:03:49 a.m. Caller Alex Ditty reported the finding of a body inside the home to 911 and spoke with a medic via phone call. 

“Our, our, our…, there’s a body. Our friend wasn’t, uh, answering his phone. We just did a wellness check. We just came here, and um, He appears dead.” 

NOTE: Between callers, confirmed by a source, there were 3 people around the home at the time. A friend, neighbor, and co-worker. 

10:04 a.m. CPD was dispatched and located Spenser Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique, 39, deceased. NOTE: This reporter received a Preliminary Investigation report from the Columbus Division of Police along with 911 audio via email, after submitting a public records request.

10:11 a.m. CFD Medic 7 pronounced both victims deceased. It was determined that there were no signs of forced entry, and no firearm was recovered. There was no reported sign of struggle or robbery, and authorities ruled the case a double homicide. NOTE: The Preliminary Investigation report obtained states that 3 spent 9mm Caliber casings were recovered on scene and put into evidence. 

JANUARY 5, 2026:

Police shared a video of a man, a new person of interest (POI), who walked in an alley near the Tepe home during the time of the murder. Asking the public to help identify the man or call in with any tips to aid the investigation. 

JANUARY 9, 2026:

10 a.m. Spoke with Rob Misleh

JANUARY 10, 2026:

10:57/58 a.m. Issued a criminal complaint through the Franklin County Municipal Court that charged Michael David McKee with the murder of Spenser and Monique Tepe. NOTE: Charges have been updated to aggravated murder on both accounts, premeditated. 

JANUARY 11, 2026

12-3 p.m. Visitation for Spenser and Monique 

JANUARY 12, 2026

Short hearing for McKee, ordered to be moved to Ohio, as he was being held in the Winnebago County Jail in Illinois. According to the Columbus Dispatch and the Rockford Register Star, McKee plans to stay silent and plead not guilty to the charges.

JANUARY 14, 2026 

11:08 Press Hearing was held by CPD, where it was revealed, according to 10TV, “There is a preliminary link from our NIBIN to one of the weapons that ties it to the homicides,” Bryant said. Having recovered multiple weapons from McKee’s residence. It was reported that they believe they arrested the person they believe committed the double homicide on Dec. 30, 2025. NOTE: McKee is still currently held in Winnebago, Illinois, as he’s waived his extradition hearing. Winnebago County Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Court stated that McKee’s extradition cannot happen by Jan. 19.

JANUARY 16, 2026

The Franklin County grand jury returned a multi-count indictment against McKee: four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary. Each aggravated murder count includes firearm specifications that allege the use of an automatic firearm or a firearm equipped with a silencer, as well as the allegations that a firearm was displayed/brandished during the offenses. 

JANUARY 20, 2026

McKee was booked into the James A. Karnes Correctional Center (J.A.K). A hearing is planned for 1/23/26 around 1 p.m. for the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. 

JANUARY 23, 2026

1:00 p.m. Scheduled court appearance for McKee. His defense attorney has entered a plea not guilty to all charges at his arraignment and waived the bail hearing.

JANUARY 27, 2026

According to an unsealed affidavit, released by the Franklin County Municipal Court, an effort was made to help support the probable cause filed against McKee. This includes confirmations made by the CDP in its official capacity.

• Homicides were targeted and related to domestic violence, not a random act of murder. Premeditation is supported by: prior threats made by McKee to Monique during and after their marriage, and statements made by witnesses about the abusive behavior attributed to McKee. 
• Surveillance footage showing McKee entering the Tepe’s property on Dec. 6, 2025, while the couple was away. 
• A silver SUV with distinct defining characteristics was near the residence before and after the killing. The vehicle was observed using multiple license plates and was later linked to McKee through records. Investigators reported that the SUV was seen shortly before and shortly after. McKee had stolen Ohio and Arizona license plates for his vehicle.
• The affidavit notes that McKee’s cell phone showed no activity during the overnight window surrounding the estimated time of death.
• The affidavit states that a firearm recovered from McKee’s residence in Chicago was subjected to preliminary analysis and then was linked through a national ballistics database to evidence recovered at the Tepe home.
• Friends of the family have spoken out and told reporters that McKee was abusive and threatened Monique’s life multiple times. “One witness told police Monique had shared that McKee “forced unwanted sex” upon and strangled her, according to the affidavit. Another person told police McKee “had told Monique that he could kill her at any time and would find her and buy the house right next to her, that she will always be his wife,” the document says,” according to CNN.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026

The official autopsy has been released by the Franklin County Coroner’s office. Spenser was shot seven times, and Monique was shot nine. According to information obtained by 10 WBNS.