Ex-husband charged in double murder waives extradition to Ohio
Michael McKee is charged with aggravated murder for the Dec. 30 shootings.
A Chicago man accused of gunning down his ex-wife and her husband in their home has waived extradition and will be transferred from Illinois to Ohio to face charges.
Michael McKee is charged with premeditated aggravated murder for allegedly shooting and killing his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, and her husband, dentist Spencer Tepe, at their Columbus home on Dec. 30, according to police.
McKee, 39, wore a yellow jumpsuit as he made a brief first court appearance on Monday in Rockford, Illinois, where he was arrested on Saturday.
McKee did not enter a plea but assistant public defender Carie Poirier told the judge he intended to plead not guilty. A status hearing on his transfer to Ohio is scheduled for Jan. 19.
Police announced McKee's arrest on Saturday after he was linked to a car seen on surveillance footage in the neighborhood, according to court documents.
McKee and Monique Tepe were married in 2015 and divorced in 2017, according to divorce records obtained by ABC Columbus affiliate WSYX. They did not have any children together, according to the records.
Spencer and Monique Tepe married in December 2020, according to their obituary.
They are survived by their two young children who were found safe inside the house after the Dec. 30 killings.
McKee's arrest came one day before the scheduled celebration of life service for the couple.
"Today's arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer," the family said in a statement on Saturday. "Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon, but we are grateful to the City of Columbus Police Department, its investigators, and assisting law enforcement community. ... As the case proceeds, we trust the justice system to hold the person responsible fully accountable."
"Monique and Spencer remain at the center of our hearts, and we carry forward their love as we surround and protect the two children they leave behind," the family said. "We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world."
ABC News' Matt Foster, Victoria Arancio and Nadine El-Bawab contributed to this report.
Popular Reads
ABC News Live