Podcast Summary:

Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield
Episode: "Unhinged Ex-Husband? Every Clue & Everything We Know About Ohio Dentist Murders | Dr. Michael McKee"
Date: January 12, 2026
Host: Ashleigh Banfield

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, veteran crime journalist Ashleigh Banfield examines the double homicide of Spencer and Monique Tepe, focusing on the shocking recent arrest of Monique's ex-husband, Dr. Michael McKee, a respected vascular surgeon. Banfield breaks down the details of the arrest, analyzes the ways investigators are piecing together their case, and shares her signature irreverent commentary on the crime that’s captivated true crime followers.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. The Arrest of Dr. Michael McKee

[02:00]

• Dr. Michael McKee, Monique Tepe’s ex-husband and a vascular surgeon, has been arrested for the murders.
• Banfield expresses her shock that someone with no criminal history and an esteemed career would commit such a crime, musing on how such a life could be thrown away:

  “If he’s guilty of this, what a waste. How to throw your entire life away and do the most horrifying thing, to orphan two little children and destroy countless lives around.” (03:05)

2. Surveillance Footage and Vehicle Tracking

[06:00]

• Police tracked a vehicle arriving before and leaving shortly after the murders; this car linked back to Dr. McKee’s residence in Rockford, Illinois.
• Detailed neighborhood surveillance and modern tech made evasion nearly impossible, reminiscent of the Idaho murders case referenced by Banfield.

3. Timeline and Methods for Establishing Time of Death

[09:00]

• Investigators pinpointed time of death to 3:52am, likely using a combination of surveillance, security system records, and possibly health monitor data (wearables, baby monitors, alarm triggers).

4. Potential for Death Penalty & Legal Considerations

[11:50]

• Banfield outlines how the case could be eligible for the death penalty due to its heinous nature, despite Ohio’s current moratorium.
• Discusses the challenges of assembling an unbiased jury in high-profile cases, referencing the Casey Anthony trial as a precedent.

5. Family and Community Response

[15:00]

• The Tepe family released a statement after the arrest, focusing on justice and protecting the two orphaned children:

  “As the case proceeds, we trust the justice system to hold the person responsible fully 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.” (15:55)

6. Crowdsourcing Clues: Body Cam Missteps

[17:00]

• Listeners helped Banfield clarify confusion over police body cam footage showing an officer responding to the wrong address, illustrating the power of crowdsourcing in true crime investigations:

  “Thank you for those of you who crowdsourced that.” (17:00)

7. Evidence Accumulation: The Parlor Game of Prosecution

[22:00]

• Banfield likens prosecution to stacking coincidences—fibers, digital evidence, footprints—until reasonable doubt is eroded.
• She highlights the importance of minor pieces of evidence, as “even tiny things can become huge in the pile.” (22:00)

8. Physical Evidence: Footprints & Forensics

[19:49, 20:23]

• Police will analyze all footprints (snow, carpet, dirt) and Dr. McKee’s footwear for physical traces and transfer evidence.
• Complication: crime scene was trampled by responding civilians and police due to the incorrect response address.

9. The Tepe Children as Potential Witnesses

[23:00]

• The children (17 months and 4 years old) could provide timeline clarifications or even key facts if they awoke during the murder. Banfield imagines the evidentiary impact if the older child heard or said the killer’s name:

  “What if Mo yelled Michael? No. What if the four year old heard that? What if… that is unbelievable evidence.” (24:05)

10. How Did the Killer Access the House?

[27:00]

• The lack of forced entry suggests possible voluntary admission. Banfield suggests, “Did he get in because he rang the doorbell and Mo came down in the middle of the night?”

11. Electronic Evidence: Phones, Laptops, Gaming Devices

[31:00]

• Modern murder cases hinge on digital trails: phone geolocation, app usage, and device activity (including Apple Watches and even gaming devices).
• Banfield explains how such data can line up a suspect’s movement and mental state at critical times.

12. Behavioral Clues Post-Crime

[35:00]

• Discusses the tendency for killers to ingratiate themselves to the victims’ families, referencing the Michelle Carter case where the perpetrator feigned closeness after the crime.

13. Questions of Prior Abuse and Motive

[36:00, 46:00]

• Unconfirmed reports suggest possible past abuse by Dr. McKee and his bitterness over the divorce; Banfield cautions these are not verified but notes they fit a classic “if I can’t have her, no one can” pattern.

14. Investigators’ Next Moves & Defense Strategies

[39:00]

• Police are reviewing the concentric circles of the victims' relationships, looking for evidence of acrimony.
• Banfield points out the possible defense arguments and the importance of the accused’s alibi:

  “If you give an alibi to the police... that you were in Illinois and suddenly all your shit puts you in Ohio... that really bodes poorly.” (41:20)

15. Family Interviews: The Lack of Enemies

[43:00, 44:30]

• Banfield interviews a family member (possibly Rob Reiner or another in-law), who reports the Tepes were admired and loved, with “no enemies,” and the suspicion shocked the whole family.

  “I know that they've had this massive community around him, that they were just so well liked and admired by everyone....So it's really just unbelievable and shocking to all of us when we found out.” (44:30)

Notable Quotes

• “I don’t care how long it took before they saw the gunman and died, there is terror. It could have been a split second, it could have been hours.” - Ashleigh Banfield (05:35)
• "In a big pile of stuff, it can be huge. It can be tiny and lead to something very, very big." - Ashleigh Banfield (22:05)
• "You can usually cast one thing off as a coincidence...but once you start lining up all the coinky dinks...that's like 20 coincidences. It's starting to be a little more reasonable that these aren’t coincidences." (22:00)
• “Why would anyone with such a promising life, someone invested so much, do this?...That's why we are all obsessed, completely obsessed with this true crime.” (47:55)
• "He’s innocent until proven guilty. This is a parlor game only." (27:35)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:19 | Banfield introduces the Vermont setting and sets up the episode’s obsession with the Tepe murders. | | 02:00-07:00 | Details of Dr. McKee’s background, the arrest, and emotional impact. | | 08:30 | Timeline of the crime established through video and tech evidence; theorizing about precision timing. | | 10:55 | Legal overview: murder charges, death penalty, and jurisdiction. | | 15:55 | Family statement on the arrest of Dr. McKee. | | 19:49-22:00 | In-depth on physical forensic evidence: footprints, fibers, and cross-contamination. | | 22:00 | Strategies of prosecution and importance of stacking evidence. | | 23:00-27:00 | The role of children’s testimony in reconstructing the timeline and possible events. | | 31:00 | Digital forensics: devices, geolocation, vehicle tracking. | | 36:00 | (Unconfirmed) backstory regarding alleged abuse and possible motives. | | 39:00 | Investigative focus moving out from family to friends and associates; defense considerations. | | 43:32-44:30 | Family interview: the shock of the community and their perception of Spencer and Monique. | | 47:55 | Banfield’s closing reflection on why cases like this fascinate true crime followers. |

Memorable Moments

• Crowdsourcing Correction: Banfield thanks listeners for solving the mystery of the body cam mix-up, showing true crime audience engagement in action. (17:00)
• Children as Witnesses: The chilling possibility that the murdered couple’s 4-year-old may have overheard the killer’s name. (24:05)
• Forensic Possibilities: Unique forensics, like snow prints and digital handshakes, give a modern CSI twist. (31:00)
• Analogies to Past Famous Cases: Multiple references to high-profile trials and killers (Bryan Kohberger, Michelle Carter, O.J. Simpson) draw stark comparisons. (12:00, 35:00, 46:00)

Tone and Style

Banfield is sharp, unsparing, and brings both detailed forensic acumen and irreverent, personal commentary. She doesn’t pull punches on the horror or the emotional devastation, yet draws in listeners with her lively skepticism and obsession for every small clue.

Conclusion

This episode is packed with detailed reporting, fresh analysis, and speculation about the Ohio dentist murders, focused on the arrest of Dr. Michael McKee. Banfield uses her experience and anecdotes to help listeners understand not just the facts, but also the processes, psychology, and prosecutorial strategies at work. “Drop Dead Serious” continues to be essential listening for anyone gripped by the intersection of tragedy, justice, and human nature.