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police Ohio’s state capital said Wednesday it has gathered enough evidence to link a man accused of a double homicide to his ex-wife and ex-husband’s murders. columbus I came home last month and witnessed the killings.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant told The Associated Press that authorities now believe Michael David McKee, 39, a vascular surgeon who lives in Chicago, is the man seen on video walking down a dark alley near the home of Monique and Spencer Tepe the night of the murders. His vehicle was also spotted driving near the house and a gun was found inside his vehicle illinois Evidence of a residence was also found at the scene, she said.
His arrest ends nearly two weeks of speculation surrounding the mysterious slayings that captured national attention. No obvious signs of forced entry were found at Tepes’ home. Police also said no weapons were found there and no murder-suicide was suspected. Additionally, nothing was stolen and the couple’s two young children and their dog were not harmed at the home.
“What we can tell you is we have evidence that the vehicle he was driving was associated with the crime scene. We also have evidence that he entered and exited in that specific vehicle,” Bryant told The Associated Press. “I can also share with you that multiple firearms were stolen from McGee’s property, one of which does appear to be tentatively consistent with this actual homicide.”
Bryant said the department hopes the public will continue to come forward with tips. She said investigators were able to track every phone call, email and private tip the community shared with the department, some of which allowed them to gather enough evidence to make an arrest.
The work ultimately led to McKee’s arrest on Saturday rockfordThe hospital where he works – OSF St. Anthony Medical Center – has said it is cooperating with the investigation. He is charged with premeditated aggravated murder in the shooting death. Monique Tepe divorced McKee in 2017 and is now 39 years old. Her husband, a dentist, was 37 when he didn’t show up for work that morning, prompting him to call police for the first time.
McGee remains in jail after waiving his right to an extradition hearing Monday when he appeared in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Winnebago County, Illinois. Bryant said officials are working out details for his return to Ohio but have not yet set an exact arrival date. His next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 23 in Winnebago County.
McGee’s attorney could not be identified through court rolls.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said Wednesday that the city does not prioritize high-profile cases over other cities, noting that the city’s criminal case settlement rate exceeds the national average. Ginther said the city’s homicide and violent crime rates will drop to their lowest levels since 2007 by 2025.
“Every case is important. The ones that get national attention, and the ones that don’t get national attention,” he told The Associated Press. “Every home should be shut down, people should be held accountable and the rest of the community should be safe while dangerous people are taken off the streets.”
Ginther said it is crucial for people in central Ohio to continue to express their condolences to the Tepes family, including their two young children and loved ones, as they deal with “such an unimaginable loss.”
“I hope our community embraces this family and these children for years to come,” he said.