Michael McKee, accused of fatally shooting his ex-wife and her husband in Columbus, Ohio, entered not guilty pleas to multiple charges during his first court appearance. He faces four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary in the deaths of Monique Tepe and her husband, dentist Spencer Tepe, at their home on December 30, 2025. Their two young children were found unharmed in the house following the killings.

Authorities said McKee’s alleged actions triggered a 10-day manhunt that spanned multiple states. Law enforcement coordinated between local, state, and federal agencies before apprehending him in Illinois and arranging his extradition to Ohio. Investigators have described the case as both shocking and meticulously pursued due to the violent nature of the alleged crime and the safety of the victims’ children.

During a brief hearing, McKee appeared via video and did not speak. His defense attorney, Diane Menashe, waived reading of the charges and formally entered not guilty pleas on his behalf, also waiving bond. McKee had been taken into custody in Illinois and booked at the James A. Karnes Corrections Center in Franklin County, Ohio.

Family members expressed grief and called for justice. Rob Misleh, the Tepes’ brother-in-law, 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… especially the kids. We want this person to pay for what they did.”

McKee and Monique Tepe were married in 2015 and divorced in 2017. Monique later married Spencer Tepe in 2020. Investigators say McKee’s alleged actions ended a 10-day manhunt, culminating in his arrest and extradition to Ohio to face trial.