Doctor charged in killings of his ex-wife and her Ohio husband waives right to extradition hearing

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The ex-husband of an Ohio woman charged this weekend in the killings of her and her husband waived his right to an extradition hearing Monday in Illinois.

Michael David McKee, 39, a doctor from Chicago, has been charged with premeditated aggravated murder in the shooting deaths of 39-year-old Monique Tepe, whom he divorced in 2017, and dentist Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, in their Columbus home on Dec. 30.

McKee appeared in court in Winnebago County, Illinois, where he has been jailed since his arrest on Saturday. He appeared expressionless while he walked into the courtroom wearing a yellow jumpsuit with shackles around his wrists. Judge Donald Shriver did not say when McKee will be returned to Ohio, but he scheduled a hearing for Jan. 19 to confirm the status of the transfer.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office will coordinate McKee’s return to Franklin County, where the trial will take place, according to Tom Jakeway, trial court administrator for the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois.

His arrest caps off nearly two weeks of speculation surrounding the mysterious killings that attracted national attention. No obvious signs of forced entry were found at the Tepes' home. Police also said no weapon was found there, and murder-suicide was not suspected. Further, nothing was stolen, and the couple's two young children and their dog were left unharmed in the home.

In a statement, their family said the arrest was “an important step toward justice” and that they trusted the justice system to hold the person 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," it said. "We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world.”

Dispatchers first received calls of concern when Spencer Tepe didn’t show up on Dec. 30 at the dental practice where he worked in Athens, a college town about 75 miles (120.70 kilometers) southeast of Columbus. His manager told police his tardiness was “out of character.” It was when Columbus police conducted a wellness check at the home later that day that they discovered the couple's bullet-stricken bodies on the second floor.

Official reports from the Franklin County Coroner’s Office won’t be completed for several weeks, but a spokesperson said last week that they died in an “apparent homicide by gunshot wounds.”

Police had released security footage on Tuesday of a person of interest dressed in a dark hoodie and light colored pants walking in an alley near the couple’s home between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. — the window of time in which investigators believed the two were attacked. The release generated dozens of tips and took the manhunt across multiple state lines to McKee's apartment.

McKee and Monique Tepe, then-Monique Sabaturski, married in 2015, according to Franklin County court records. They filed for divorce two years later.

According to the Tepes' obituaries, Monique married Spencer Tepe in 2020. Family members described the couple as “extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy and deep connection to others.”

Spencer Tepe was a graduate of the Ohio State University. He was a member of the American Dental Association and had been involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Monique Tepe was described as a “loving, patient, and joyful mother,” an avid baker, and a “thoughtful planner.”

AP reporter Mark Scolforo contributed to this report from Harrisburg, Pa.

This image taken from video shows Michael David McKee walking into the courtroom on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Rockford, Ill. (WIFR News/Pool Photo via AP)

Flowers and other items sit on the front porch of Spencer and Monique Tepe's home in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos)

This photo made from security footage shows a person of interest walking on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (Columbus Police Department via AP)

Spencer and Monique Tepe's home in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos)

NEW YORK (AP) — Zuby Ejiofor scored 23 points, Joson Sanon added 15 off the bench — all after halftime — and No. 18 St. John's rallied from 12 down in the second half to beat skidding Georgetown 72-69 on Tuesday night.

With a gritty comeback on Senior Night at Madison Square Garden, the Red Storm (24-6, 17-2 Big East) tied No. 4 UConn atop the conference standings with one regular-season game remaining. A victory Friday night at Hudson River rival Seton Hall would give the Johnnies at least a share of their second consecutive Big East regular-season championship following a 32-year drought.

The only time they’ve won back-to-back league crowns was 1985 and ’86.

Dylan Darling had 12 points for St. John's, which has won 15 of 16 overall and 11 straight meetings with Georgetown — the longest streak for either school in a series that dates to 1909.

Kayvaun Mulready scored a career-high 20 points off the bench for the streaky Hoyas (13-17, 5-14), last in the Big East. They've lost a season-worst seven in a row following a four-game winning streak.

Jeremiah Williams shook off an injury to his lower right leg and added 17 points. Malik Mack had 15.

After honoring Ejiofor and four other seniors in a pregame ceremony, the Red Storm came out flat. They trailed 48-36 with 13:30 remaining before finally starting to find their rhythm when Ian Jackson converted a three-point play.

Darling’s steal and fast-break layup put St. John’s ahead 59-57 with 6:43 left, its first lead since 15-14 with 12:16 to go in the first half.

A jumper by Sanon capped an 8-0 run, but Georgetown wouldn’t go away even after falling behind by five with 1:30 to play.

Williams could have tied it by finishing a three-point play with 16.6 seconds left, but he missed the free throw. Bryce Hopkins grabbed the rebound and sank two foul shots to make it 72-69, and Caleb Williams missed a 3-pointer for the Hoyas just before the buzzer.

Georgetown coach Ed Cooley faces his former team again when the Hoyas host Providence in their regular-season finale Saturday night.

St. John’s stormed back from 15 down in the second half to defeat Seton Hall 65-60 at MSG on Jan. 20.

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St. John's Red Storm's Ian Jackson (11) looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's Red Storm's Dillon Mitchell (1) dunks the ball in front of Georgetown Hoyas' Kayvaun Mulready (45) and Vincent Iwuchukwu (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Georgetown Hoyas' Isaiah Abraham (7) drives past St. John's Red Storm's Zuby Ejiofor (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's Red Storm's Dylan Darling (0) drives past Georgetown Hoyas' Malik Mack (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino calls out to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)