Podcast Summary:

Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield
Episode: “Shocking Arrest: Surgeon Ex-Husband Charged in Brutal Ohio Dentist Murders | Dr. Michael McKee”
Date: January 10, 2026

Episode Overview

Ashleigh Banfield delivers an urgent, in-depth examination of the shocking arrest of Dr. Michael David McKee—an esteemed vascular surgeon and ex-husband of murder victim Monique Tepe—just days after the high-profile brutal slaying of Columbus, Ohio, dentist Dr. Spencer Tepe and Monique Tepe. With her signature irreverent and personal style, Ashleigh weaves breaking developments, forensic speculation, background research, and her own emotional reaction, while drawing pointed comparisons to the Idaho 4/Bryan Kohberger case. The episode explores possible motives, investigative missteps and breakthroughs, the marital backstory, family dynamics, and what lies ahead for the prosecution.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News: The Arrest of Dr. Michael David McKee

• Arrest Details:
  • Dr. McKee, 39, was arrested in Chicago, IL on an out-of-state warrant for two counts of murder ([02:58]).
  • He is being held pending extradition to Ohio; bond hearing expected Monday, with Banfield noting a “shitty weekend in jail for Mr. McKee.”
• Identity Unveiled:
  • Not widely known, McKee was Monique Tepe’s ex-husband—a fact that deepened the case’s mystery and public shock.
  • “I cannot believe who it was they arrested and how little we knew about Monique Tepe's past.” ([02:34]).

2. The Man Behind the Headlines: Dr. Michael McKee

• Background & Credentials:
  • Highly specialized vascular surgeon; practice in Rockford, Illinois; graduate of Ohio State University Medical School in 2014.
  • High-end Chicago residence (“with a spectacular view of Lake Michigan—a half million to million dollar place per Zillow”) ([04:22]), suggesting recent financial success.
• Training Duration & Banfield’s Reflection:
  • Ashleigh underscores his long and rigorous path to such a career—four years undergrad, four med school, five general surgery residency, two fellowship.
  • “In the back of my mind, again, the Idaho PTSD is kicking in because, you know, we never expected that the guy they arrested… was going to be a PhD student. Right? And now here in this case, we have a medical doctor.” ([03:57]).

3. Investigation Breakthrough: Linking the Suspect

• Surveillance Video as the Keystone:
  • Unlike a dramatic confession or a tip, the breakthrough came from neighborhood surveillance:
    • “A vehicle arriving in the area right before the shootings and leaving right after… they were able to connect that specific vehicle back to Dr. McKee, Moe's ex husband. Police later found this same car in Rockford, Illinois.” ([06:44])
  • Forensic evidence in the car reportedly ties McKee to the crime scene.
• Discussion on Police Process:
  • Banfield expresses frustrations (“Why didn’t they call in the FBI?” [05:14]), but credits local detectives for quietly comprehensive work behind the scenes.

4. The Marriage and Divorce: Motive and Timeline

• Marriage Timeline:
  • Married August 2015; separated by March 2016 (7 months); divorce filed May 2017 (after 14 months separated); finalized six weeks later.
    • “Once the paperwork was filed… it was over almost immediately. And it was finalized by June.” ([09:45])
• Divorce Details:
  • The split appeared smooth in legal terms, without a lengthy court fight.
  • Notably, Monique listed both engagement and wedding rings as separate property with the explanation: “Quote, I paid.” ([12:18])
  • Engagement ring worth $2,500, wedding ring $3,500—unusual in that the latter was more valuable.
  • Banfield speculates on whether financial issues or the contrast of Monique’s new life could have fueled resentment in McKee.

5. Case Parallels: Idaho 4 and The Anatomy of Motive

• Emotional Tone: Banfield draws strong comparisons to the 2022 Idaho student murders and the community’s sense of vulnerability in the aftermath.
  • “I have been awake at nights. I have been feeling the Brian Coburger PTSD with someone skulking out there…” ([01:34])
• Motive Investigation:
  • No public motive yet announced by authorities. Banfield ponders jealousy/resentment (“Could it be five years of just seething anger boiling over in a moment where he might have seen a wedding video online?” [44:14]).
  • “We're not asking who at this point. We're asking why and we're asking how.” ([15:34])
• Potential Death Penalty:
  • Banfield: “Ohio is a death penalty state… this one meets it. Multiple victims, children left orphaned in the bloodbath. I would not be the least bit surprised if prosecutors in this case say they are 100% seeking the death penalty if for the children alone.” ([46:39])

6. Important Evidence & Key Forensics

• Crime Scene Details:
  • Monique shot once in the chest; Spencer shot multiple times.
    • “Mo was shot once in the chest and we know that Spencer was shot multiple times. I'm thinking twice because there's three shell casings.” ([18:30])
  • Banfield contemplates the possible emotional significance in the differences in violence against each victim—echoing historic crimes like Betty Broderick.
• First Responder/911/Harrowing Discovery:
  • Alex Diddy, a friend, conducted the wellness check and called 911—he discovered the bodies and rescued the Tepe’s children.
  • Audio breakdown: Diddy inside house, finds Spencer “laying next to his bed, off of his bed and there's blood. I can't get closer to see more than that.” ([34:11])
  • Banfield highlights children’s potential trauma and the possibility that Diddy shielded them from the carnage.

7. Police Procedural Issues & Criticism

• Welfare Check Misstep:
  • Police initially went to the wrong address (1417 instead of 1411 N. Fourth St.).
    • “It actually cost almost an hour between response times. And remember, there was a friend who actually entered that house, called and reported on that second floor…” ([31:13], Jennifer Coffendoffer)
  • Banfield documents confusion over the location and body cam footage, arguing police may not have even been on the correct street.
• Debate Over FBI Involvement:
  • “Why in the world don't we have the FBI involved?” ([30:19], Coffendoffer)
  • Banfield is perplexed that the overwhelmed police didn’t seek Bureau help on the vast surveillance video.

8. 911 Mystery Call & Theories

• Earlier Mysterious 911 Call:
  • Nine months before the murders, a hang-up call from the victims’ address—determined not to be Monique Tepe. Banfield floats the possibility of an affair or emotional powder keg involving someone else.
    • Jennifer Coffendoffer: “Certainly nothing that we have heard substantiated from law enforcement. But you can bet they are going to run down who made that call, interview that woman, and find out what the details were…” ([29:52])
• No Prior Domestic Calls: Police confirm no domestic disturbance history at the Tepe residence.

9. What’s Next? The Path Forward

• Immediate Steps:
  • Focus on what police seized from McKee’s car, home, electronics.
  • Past digital footprints, vehicle tracking, prior surveillance, and communication with Monique could shape prosecution.
• Banfield’s Expectations:
  • “Long story short, we're only at the beginning of this thing. There's so much more to learn about the why, the how and the what they're going to do to get a prosecution…” ([44:14])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I have been awake at nights. I have been feeling the Brian Coburger PTSD with someone skulking out there…” – Ashleigh Banfield ([01:34])

• “I cannot believe who it was they arrested and how little we knew about Monique Tepe's past.” – Ashleigh Banfield ([02:34])

• “[Surveillance video] is what it came down to… They were able to connect that specific vehicle back to Dr. McKee, Moe's ex husband. Police later found this same car in Rockford, Illinois.” – Ashleigh Banfield ([06:44])

• “She bought her own engagement and wedding rings. She put the values on them as well. The engagement ring was $2,500. The wedding ring was $3,500… and that's just not typical.” – Ashleigh Banfield ([12:18])

• “We're not asking who at this point. We're asking why and we're asking how. But I do have one big fear. And that is motive. Just like Coburger, we still don't know.” – Ashleigh Banfield ([15:34], [18:30])

• “Ohio is a death penalty state… this one meets it. Multiple victims, children left orphaned in the bloodbath.” – Ashleigh Banfield ([46:39])

• “Why in the world don't we have the FBI involved? …You need to get the bureau in there to help with the review of that video.” – Jennifer Coffendoffer ([30:19])

• “Whenever you go into a scene, you leave something, and when you depart, you take something.” – Jennifer Coffendoffer on contaminated crime scene ([31:13])

Important Timestamps

• Arrest Announcement & Shock: [01:34–04:00]
• Dr. McKee’s Background & Training: [03:57–05:00]
• Police Investigation Process & Surveillance: [06:44–08:00]
• Marriage Timeline & Divorce Details: [09:45–13:00]
• Body Cam Critique & Welfare Check Error: [36:32–41:00]
• 911 Call Breakdown & Alex Diddy’s Actions: [34:11–36:32]
• Interview w/ Jennifer Coffendoffer (Ret. FBI): [29:52–31:35]
• Death Penalty Discussion/Motive Questions: [44:14–46:39]
• Summary and Expectations for Trial: [46:39–End]

Tone & Delivery

Banfield’s commentary is a dynamic mix of investigative journalist curiosity, personal insight (often referencing her own experiences or emotions), and respectful irreverence—especially in moments of incredulity or frustration at investigative process gaps. She is vigilant about not jumping to conclusions, continually emphasizing the need for facts and further clarity, while also transparently theorizing aloud.

Final Thoughts and Continuing Coverage

Ashleigh Banfield concludes by underscoring the gravity and evolving nature of this case:

• There is much more to uncover regarding the evidence, motive, and legal proceedings.
• Emphasizes public interest in the case and signals that updates will come “fast and furiously.”
• “Remember, the truth isn’t just serious—it is drop dead serious.”

This episode is essential listening for true crime followers keen to understand the complexities and emerging details behind a headline-grabbing case with echoes of infamous past crimes.