Police chief touts gun link in Ohio dentist murders; records show three 9 mm casings found in killings

FIRST ON FOX: Columbus constabulary accidental a weapon has been linked to the fatal shootings of an Ohio dentist and his wife, but the constabulary main declined to accidental however the limb was identified oregon whether it was recovered.

In an interrogation with Fox News Digital, Police Chief Elaine Bryant said investigators person "preliminarily" linked a firearm recovered astatine fishy Michael McKee's location to the Dec. 30 killings of Spencer and Monique Tepe astatine their location connected North Fourth Street.

"At this time, again, unfortunately, I’m incapable to reply that question," Bryant said erstwhile asked whether the weapon was legally obtained. She said investigators were "still doing immoderate probe arsenic it relates to this case."

Pressed connected what constabulary could confirm, Bryant said lone that "preliminarily, it is decidedly a weapon that was linked to the homicides."

Fox News Digital spoke with Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant astir the double-murders of Monique and Spencer Tepe.  (Fox News Digital)

SURGEON IN OHIO DENTIST DOUBLE MURDER ALLEGEDLY USED FAKE ADDRESSES TO DODGE LAWSUITS: 'HE JUST DISAPPEARED'

Police records reviewed by Fox News Digital amusement investigators recovered 3 spent 9mm ammunition casings from the scene.

The casings were logged into grounds and turned implicit to the Columbus constabulary spot room, according to a preliminary probe report. The study does not place a firearm recovered astatine the location oregon specify a limb utilized successful the killings.

When asked whether the ammunition casings were utilized to enactment the assertion that a weapon had been linked to the case, Bryant confirmed that investigators "did retrieve 3 ammunition casings" and said they are portion of the ballistic examination process done the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, oregon NIBIN.

"That is portion of the process," Bryant said.

Bryant did not accidental whether the ammunition casings matched to a circumstantial firearm.

Michael McKee appears successful tribunal astatine Winnebago County Justice Center, Monday, January 12, 2026, Rockford, Illinois. McKee is facing extradition to Ohio for the execution of his ex-wife Monique Tepe and her husband, Spencer Tepe. (WIFR via Pool)

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Authorities person identified the fishy arsenic Monique Tepe’s ex-husband, McKee, a vascular surgeon successful Chicago, who was arrested successful Rockford, Illinois, aft investigators determined helium had near Ohio.

Bryant said constabulary worked with section and national agencies to instrumentality him into custody but declined to sermon grounds recovered during searches.

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"I can’t talk specifically to what was recovered," Bryant said, adding lone that "multiple firearms" were progressive successful the investigation.

Charging documents bespeak constabulary were capable to place McKee by linking him to a car that arrived successful the Tepes' vicinity soon earlier the murders and near conscionable aft the homicides. The car was past located successful Rockford, Illinois, and constabulary recovered grounds it belonged to McKee.

Spencer and Monique Tepe are pictured connected their wedding day. (Rob Misleh)

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Police described the killings arsenic a targeted, home violence-related onslaught but said they are not discussing motive oregon whether determination was connection betwixt the fishy and the victims earlier the shootings.

"We cognize that this is her ex-husband, truthful it's home unit related. And arsenic the proceedings moves on, arsenic charges travel about, we volition beryllium capable to astir apt get much answers but close now, we don't person the reply arsenic to a motive," she said.

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Timeline of cardinal events successful the execution of Spencer and Monique Tepe. (Fox News)

According to the constabulary report, officers were dispatched to the location for a payment cheque and recovered some victims dormant from gunshot wounds. Both deaths person been ruled homicides.

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McKee was booked astatine the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office successful Illinois conscionable earlier noon Saturday, jailhouse records show. He's facing upgraded premeditated aggravated execution charges successful Ohio successful narration to Spencer and Monique's deaths.

Bryant and Mayor Andrew Ginther asked for the nationalist to proceed to supply tips, crediting tips for assistance successful the investigation.

Michael David McKee, a 39-year-old from Chicago, is charged with 2 counts of execution successful the deaths of Dr. Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique Tepe. (Winnebago County Sheriff's Office)

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"We're inactive encouraging anyone that mightiness person accusation they deliberation is applicable to this lawsuit to scope retired to us, whether however large oregon tiny they deliberation it is, it could assistance us," Bryant said.

"Every household matters, and we person been moving astir the timepiece connected this case, but it hasn't taken america distant from our different cases due to the fact that we cognize those grieving families merit our precise champion arsenic well," helium said. "And we'll proceed to bring that."