Podcast Summary: Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield — "Seething For A Decade? Ex-Husband Chained in Court, New Charges Filed in Ohio Dentist Double Murders | Dr. Michael McKee"

Date: January 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the shocking arrest of Dr. Michael McKee, a Rockford, Illinois vascular surgeon, in connection with the double homicide of Monique (“Mo”) Tepe and her husband, Spencer Tepe, in Columbus, Ohio. Ashleigh Banfield dives into the latest developments: McKee’s upgraded charges (now aggravated murder), courtroom details, the family’s reaction, digital evidence, and inside perspectives from a neighbor, legal expert Angenette Levy, and a retired FBI agent. The episode unpacks the intricacies of the investigation, community impact, and the evolving search for motive and evidence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking Down the Case and Charges

• Arrest of Dr. Michael McKee:

  • Arrested in Rockford, IL, though he lived in a high-rise in Chicago (00:50).
  • Suspected due to a vehicle linked via surveillance arriving at and leaving the Tepe home around the time of the murders.

• Background:

  • McKee and Monique were married for less than a year, divorcing over a decade ago (04:50).
  • Upgraded charges: Now facing two counts of aggravated murder with premeditation, which is Ohio’s equivalent of first-degree murder (07:00).
  • Aggravated murder in Ohio is a death-penalty eligible offense, though executions have been paused in recent years.

• Court Appearance:

  • McKee appeared in Illinois court in a yellow jail jumpsuit, shackled at hands and waist (11:00).
  • He waived extradition to Ohio, spoke only to confirm his name, and showed no visible emotion.

• Family Reaction:

  • The victims’ family privately suspected McKee for some time but kept it quiet not to interfere with the police investigation (06:00).
  • The arrest was a relief and "confirmation" rather than a shock.

2. Community Reaction & Inside the Investigation

• Neighbor Perspective (Geralyn Kolarik):
  • Geralyn, two floors below McKee, describes him as "quiet" and "friendly" at the pool, expressing total shock at his arrest (18:39).
  • She observed police activity post-arrest—officers at his door, evidence boxes, and crime lab vans from Columbus (21:06).
  • Building management issued a memo alerting residents to ongoing police activity, further alarming the community (22:50).
  • No red flags about McKee in retrospect; the crime is "unbelievable" given the building’s professional environment.

3. Digital Evidence & Forensic Clues

• Jennifer Coffindaffer (Retired FBI):

  • Significant spikes in Google searches about Monique, Spencer, and McKee before and after the murders—suggesting premeditation and potential concern over being investigated (25:47).
  • Analysis of why police could pinpoint the precise time of death (3:52 am)—possible clues include video surveillance, phone, or fitness tracker data (27:16).
  • Emphasis on the importance and volume of digital footprints in modern homicide investigations.

• Banfield on Surveillance:

  • Extensive cameras in the area and possible sources of digital data: phones, smartwatches, GPS, toll tags, Tesla and Ring cams.

4. Legal Insight & Local Perspective

• Angenette Levy (Crime Fix, Law & Crime):

  • Not surprised by McKee’s arrest but by its timing; information suggested the investigation was building evidence, especially digital or ballistics (29:38).
  • The marriage between McKee and Monique was reportedly unhappy, with Monique’s family possibly helping her leave the state for safety (41:57).
  • Reports that McKee resisted ending the marriage; divorce was drawn out, and Monique was the one seeking separation (41:14).

• Investigation Techniques:

  • Police likely called McKee early in the investigation and scrutinized his alibi, which reportedly did not hold up (42:59).
  • Strong focus on digital tracking: cell phones, smart devices, tolls, surveillance footage.
  • Ohio affidavits are "bare bones"—just two paragraphs for the murder charges released so far.

• Case Transparency:

  • Discussion on legal gag orders; both Banfield and Levy argue for transparency to foster public trust and avoid misinformation (32:41).

5. Speculation & Unconfirmed Reports

• Potential Motive & Planning:

  • Discussions center on what might have triggered an act of violence after a decade (07:40, 41:14).
  • Chatter that McKee was not willing to let go of the marriage, possibly harbored deep-seated resentment.

• Children’s Protection:

  • Reports suggest the killer may have taken steps to shield the victims’ children from seeing the aftermath within the home (51:36).
  • Both hosts wrestle with the logic and psychology behind this grotesque "mercy."

• Entry to the House:

  • No clear sign of forced entry; theories include manipulation to open the door, access through an unlocked window, or bypassing a security keypad (54:30 onward).
  • Possible use of knowledge from former marriage (passwords, security codes).

6. Broader Themes

• Parallels to True Crime Cases:

  • Banfield addresses her references to other true crime cases (like Bryan Kohberger), explaining they pertain to investigative strategies, not comparison of individuals or motives (03:00).
  • Discusses the learning curve in criminal investigations and how notorious cases inform modern policing.

• Impact on Family and Community:

  • The impact on the orphaned children and those close to the family is highlighted with deep empathy, showing the far-reaching trauma of violent crime (52:27, 61:09).

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• On the charge upgrade:

  "Aggravated murder is functionally the equivalent of first degree murder...it means prosecutors believe they can show either prior calculation and design, in other words, planning, or that the killing happened during the commission of another serious felony." — Ashleigh Banfield (07:00)

• On family suspicions:

  "Monique's relatives said the family had their suspicions for a while about who they believed was responsible...it brought relief, but it didn't come out of nowhere." — Ashleigh Banfield (06:00)

• On McKee’s courtroom presence:

  "He seemed huge... but his behavior was the opposite. He seemed timid, shy, very little eye contact, very little emotion coming out of him." — Alex Capriello, News Nation correspondent (13:58)

• On neighbor’s shock:

  "It was unbelievable that this man who was just so nice... is charged with such a terrible crime." — Geralyn Kolarik (19:49)

• On digital evidence:

  "There was an inordinate spike in Google searches for the couple's home. And now... even more Google searches before and after the murders." — Jennifer Coffindaffer (25:47)

• On the marriage’s end:

  "She was not happy in the marriage...there was a reason she wanted out, and he did not want the marriage to end." — Angenette Levy (41:14)

• On possible actions to shield the children:

  “There were some steps taken...to keep the children from seeing what had happened to their parents.” — Angenette Levy (51:36)

• On crime in the digital age:

  “Literally, you cannot commit murder these days. You cannot. You’re just never going to get away with it.” — Ashleigh Banfield (50:41)

• On the pain of the aftermath:

  “There are two children now who are going to be left without their parents and their lives are going to never be the same. That’s just heartbreaking to me.” — Angenette Levy (52:27)

Notable Segment Timestamps

• Case and suspect introduction — 00:50–07:00
• Charge explanation and significance — 07:00–11:00
• Court appearance and personality analysis — 11:00–15:16
• Luxury apartment and neighbor insight — 16:35–23:48
• Forensic discussion and timeline of evidence — 25:47–28:20
• Law and Crime’s Angenette Levy interview (local and legal insights) — 29:38–61:09
• Discussion of entry to the house, children's situation — 54:30–61:09
• Wrap up and empathy for victims’ family — 61:09–62:13

Overall Tone

Ashleigh Banfield brings her trademark irreverence, candor, and empathy, giving both a big-picture journalistic take and a very human focus. The tone is thorough, inquisitive, respectful to the victims and their families, and unafraid to speculate reasonably with input from seasoned legal and investigative professionals.

Conclusion

This episode provides a deep, up-to-the-minute look at the McKee/Tepe double murder case. It blends new legal developments, local color, digital forensics, and compassionate storytelling, creating a comprehensive briefing for anyone looking to understand the case’s evolving complexity and emotional impact.