Michael McKee, the 39-year-old ex-husband of Monique Tepe, has waived his right to an extradition hearing in Illinois and will be returned to Columbus to face charges for the murders of Tepe and her current husband, Spencer. Monique and Spencer Tepe were found deceased from gunshot wounds in their Weinland Park home on December 30, with their young children, fortunately, left unharmed. This information came to light following McKee's court appearance in Winnebago County, as reported by ABC6.
Mckee, a vascular surgeon by profession, was arrested at a Chick-fil-A in Rockford, Illinois, just hours before the Tepes' visitation services were held, as stated by FOX28. Despite the gravitas behind the charges, McKee held an emotionless countenance during his courtroom appearance on Monday, with his public defender expressing that McKee believed "the most expeditious manner in which he may defend himself against the charges pending in Ohio, is to plead not guilty, waive his right to an extradition hearing, and have a governors warrant for his immediate transport," according to a statement obtained by ABC6.
The Columbus police department is currently determining the best method for transporting McKee back to Franklin County. The options on the table are either sending Columbus police officers or contracting a private prisoner transport service. Brian Steel, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, underlined the urgency of the situation, reiterating the need to "get that suspect back into the county as soon as we can so the detectives can continue their work," as he told WBNS.
While the timing of McKee's transfer is uncertain, and Columbus police have yet to release exact dates, a judge in Winnebago County has scheduled a follow-up hearing to ensure McKee has either already transported or a plan has been confirmed for his return. McKee's past involves few prior issues, limited to traffic offenses in Franklin County, alongside an unremarkable presence on social media, details gathered from court documents as reported by FOX28. Following the arrest, while the Tepes family grapples with an unimaginable loss, Rob Misleh, Spencer's brother-in-law, told FOX28 during the funeral services that they are clinging to some semblance of peace knowing the accused is in custody.
