Crime House 24/7 – January 13, 2026

The Ohio Dentist Double Homicide: New Arrest, New Questions

Host: Vanessa Richardson
Date: January 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers an up-to-the-minute roundup of the day’s top true crime stories, with Vanessa Richardson covering breaking news and ongoing trials. The primary focus is a major development in the December 2025 double homicide of an Ohio dentist and his wife, including the arrest of a key suspect. Vanessa also dives into a disturbing Ohio murder trial involving a phone scam, the long-awaited trial in New Jersey’s infamous Canero family murders, and the ongoing investigation into a deadly South Carolina hit-and-run. The episode closes with a thoughtful segment reflecting on the historical case of Florence Maybrick.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Ohio Dentist Double Homicide: Breakthrough Arrest

Segment Start: [02:56]

• Case Summary:
  On December 30, 2025, Dr. Spencer Tepe, a Columbus-area dentist, and his wife Monique Tepe were found shot dead in their Ohio home. Their two young children were found physically unharmed but clearly traumatized.
• Major Development:
  On January 10, 2026, police arrested Monique’s ex-husband, Dr. Michael David McKee, 39, charging him with two counts of murder. He was apprehended in Illinois and awaits extradition.
• Details from the Investigation:
  • A friend discovered the bodies after failed attempts to contact the couple and upon hearing their children screaming inside ([03:35]).
  • There were no signs of forced entry, and the murder weapon was not found at the scene.
  • Security footage recorded a person matching McKee’s description nearby between 2am–5am – investigators later tied McKee’s car to the area before and after the crime.
  • McKee, a vascular surgeon, was married to Monique from 2015–2017; they had no children together. Monique married Spencer in 2020 and had two young children.
  • Investigators have yet to disclose a motive. McKee has not entered a plea and is presumed innocent.
  • Quote:
    “Investigators now believe the shootings occurred earlier, sometime between 2am and 5am that morning. During that three hour window, police say a security camera recorded a person walking through an alley adjacent to the couple's home.” – Vanessa Richardson [05:01]
• Legal Status:
  McKee awaits an initial hearing and is currently held in Illinois.

2. Ohio Phone Scam Murder Trial

Segment Start: [07:31]

• Case Summary:
  William J. Brock, 83, is on trial for the murder of Lolitha Hall, an Uber driver, in Clark County, Ohio. The case is shocking for its origins: both victim and defendant were targeted separately in an elaborate phone scam.
• Incident Details:
  • Brock received scam calls pretending to be from law enforcement and banks, convincing him he was under threat and needed to safeguard his valuables.
  • The scammers dispatched Hall to Brock's home, misleading her into thinking she was doing a routine package pickup ([08:49]).
  • Brock confronted Hall outside his house, shot her multiple times as she tried to leave, and then called 911.
  • Hall was unarmed and uninvolved in the scam, and died of her injuries at the hospital.
• Legal Arguments:
  • Prosecutors say Brock’s confusion and fear do not justify deadly force; Hall was an innocent bystander.
  • Defense argues Brock genuinely believed he was in danger, referencing his age and the scam’s distress.
  • Scammers remain unidentified and at-large, traced to possible Canadian connections.
• Quote:
  “Prosecutors argue that Brock's actions were the tragic result of fear and confusion created by the scam, but they say that fear does not justify the use of deadly force.” – Vanessa Richardson [09:40]
• Trial Status:
  Brock pled not guilty and is free under conditions while trial testimony continues.

3. New Jersey Quadruple Homicide: The Canero Trial

Segment Start: [11:53]

• Case Summary:
  The long-delayed trial of Paul Canero, accused of murdering his brother Keith, sister-in-law Jennifer, and their two children in a 2018 Colts Neck mansion killing, officially begins after years of legal wrangling.
• Case Details:
  • Paul and Keith were business partners; financial disputes and misappropriated company funds are cited as the likely motive.
  • Keith was shot outside, Jennifer shot and stabbed inside, and the children fatally stabbed; Paul allegedly set the house on fire to destroy evidence ([12:33]).
  • Home security footage is permitted as evidence following appeals up to the New Jersey Supreme Court.
• Legal Context:
  • Paul Canero faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated arson; he has pleaded not guilty and could face life without parole.
• Quote:
  “Prosecutors told jurors that Canero hunted down his family members in a deliberate sequence… before setting the fire in an attempt to destroy evidence and mislead investigators.” – Vanessa Richardson [12:44]
• Trial Outlook:
  Testimony will continue for weeks, involving expert, financial, and family witnesses.

4. South Carolina Hit-and-Run Homicide

Segment Start: [15:46]

• Incident Details:
  • 31-year-old Danae Josephine Waddell, a new mother, was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Spartanburg in the early hours of January 7, 2026.
  • Surveillance footage has helped narrow down the vehicle, but no images or descriptions are public yet.
  • Investigators are seeking leads from the public; Waddell’s family has made heartfelt appeals for the driver to come forward ([18:11]).
• Quote:
  “Family members have publicly appealed for the responsible driver to come forward, asking for justice for Waddell and closure for her young daughter and loved ones.”
  – Vanessa Richardson [18:53]
• Status:
  The investigation remains active; anyone with information is urged to call Investigator Nick Federico at 864-503-4591.

5. Historical Review: Florence Maybrick Case

Segment Start: [20:33]

• Overview:
  Vanessa introduces an upcoming deep-dive into the Victorian-era Florence Maybrick case, discussing why the murder conviction would be highly questionable by modern standards.
• Key Points Raised:
  • Arsenic in James Maybrick’s system wasn’t clearly a lethal dose and may have come from common medicines, not murder.
  • Florence’s adultery was used as key evidence, which would be inadmissible or tightly restricted today.
  • The investigation quickly targeted Florence and never seriously considered alternative explanations—a classic example of confirmation bias ([21:32]).
  • Victorian forensic science was primitive; the jury heard “settled” science that was, in fact, highly uncertain.
  • The state commuted Florence’s death sentence amid public unease, which says much about lingering doubt.
• Notable Quote:
  “Florence Maybrick's case isn't unsettling because we know she was innocent. It's unsettling because we can't be sure she was guilty… If the same facts were presented today, stripped of Victorian outrage, and examined through modern forensics and legal standards, it's entirely possible that Florence Maybrick would never have been convicted at all.” – Vanessa Richardson [23:52]
• Further Listening:
  Listeners are directed to the Crimes of Passion show for a full exploration.

Notable Quotes

• “Investigators now believe the shootings occurred earlier, sometime between 2am and 5am that morning…” – Vanessa Richardson [05:01]
• “Prosecutors argue that Brock's actions were the tragic result of fear and confusion created by the scam, but they say that fear does not justify the use of deadly force.” – Vanessa Richardson [09:40]
• “Prosecutors told jurors that Canero hunted down his family members in a deliberate sequence… before setting the fire in an attempt to destroy evidence and mislead investigators.” – Vanessa Richardson [12:44]
• “Family members have publicly appealed for the responsible driver to come forward, asking for justice for Waddell and closure for her young daughter and loved ones.” – Vanessa Richardson [18:53]
• “Florence Maybrick's case isn't unsettling because we know she was innocent. It's unsettling because we can't be sure she was guilty… If the same facts were presented today, stripped of Victorian outrage, and examined through modern forensics and legal standards, it's entirely possible that Florence Maybrick would never have been convicted at all.” – Vanessa Richardson [23:52]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:56] — Ohio Dentist Double Homicide: New Arrest
• [07:31] — Ohio Phone Scam Murder Trial
• [11:53] — New Jersey Canero Family Homicides: Trial Begins
• [15:46] — South Carolina Hit-and-Run Update
• [20:33] — Historical Deep Dive: Florence Maybrick

Tone & Delivery

Vanessa Richardson maintains a calm, fact-driven tone while acknowledging the tragic, unsettling nature of the cases. Her reporting is clear, measured, and focused on verifying facts and providing essential context for rapidly developing stories.

For Listeners

This episode provides a detailed, up-to-date look at several high-profile and developing criminal cases. For deeper dives, especially into the historical crime discussed, listeners are encouraged to check out the "Crimes of Passion" sister podcast, available on the Crime House feed.