MK True Crime Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Surgeon’s Threats Against Ex in Ohio Murders, Timothy Busfield’s Defense Strategy, Accused Gilgo Beach Serial Killer in Court
Date: January 16, 2026
Host: Jonna Spilbor
Co-Host: Arthur Idalla
Guest: Joseph Scott Morgan (Death Investigator, Host: Body Bags Podcast)

Overview

This episode dives into several headline-grabbing true crime stories:

• Updates on Dr. Michael McKee, accused of murdering his ex-wife and her husband in Ohio.
• The defense strategy and allegations against actor/director Timothy Busfield over criminal sexual contact charges.
• Court developments in the Gilgo Beach serial killings, focusing on forensic DNA.
• The "gravedigger" case from Pennsylvania involving stolen human remains.
• Legal system reflections, especially regarding jury impartiality in the digital age.

The show features candid, informed legal analysis, speculative discussion, and forensic expertise delivered in a frank, energetic tone.

Segment 1: Ohio Surgeon’s Alleged Double Murder (Dr. Michael McKee)

[01:05–16:19]

Key Discussion Points

• Background: Dr. McKee, a respected surgeon, now accused of murdering his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, and her new husband, Spencer Tepe.
• Short, intense prior marriage between McKee and Monique makes motive puzzling.
• Speculation about a possible "love triangle" or a "love child" as factors.
• McKee’s recent legal troubles (medical malpractice suit, prior alleged abuse) discussed as potential triggers.

Notable Analysis / Quotes

• Arthur Idalla on the severity of the crime ([03:34]):

  “The human brain just kind of breaks... You lose your mind to the point where you're executing people, you're retaining the murder weapons... The chemicals just go crazy... This is a guy who followed the rules… until he gets divorced.”

• Jonna Spilbor questioning motive ([04:14]):

  “Why on earth would this man, if he's guilty, be harboring some sort of murderous torch for an ex-wife that he didn't really have a very long relationship with... What was going on?”

• Speculation on Prior Threats ([08:45]):

  “Monique told her brother in law that the surgeon here had threatened her in the past, so there's a little bit of the history of his violence.”

• On nature of professional breakdown ([09:43]):

  "To go and get a gun and then look at someone who at one point was your lover... and blow them away. You got to be in a whole different universe to do that."

Investigation and Legal Process

• No forced entry—suggests a personal relationship or premeditated access.
• Heat of passion vs. premeditation: Driving across state lines in the middle of the night argues for premeditation.
• Forensic focus: Digital communications, device data combed for evidence and motive.
  • Arthur: “Criminal law is all about technology now... There’s such a plethora of material to go through... looking for a needle in a haystack.” ([12:58])
• Humor mixed with caution:
  • Jonna: "My Google history makes me look like a serial killer from the stuff that we have to research." ([15:25])

Segment 2: Timothy Busfield Sexual Misconduct Allegations

[18:25–29:12]

Key Discussion Points

• Allegations: Actor/director Timothy Busfield accused by multiple minors of sexual contact and child abuse stemming from working on his show.
• Busfield’s public denial via video statement, proclaiming total innocence.
• Discussion: The devastating professional and personal impact of accusations—even if unproven; the risk of trial by media.
• Legal tactics: Debated merits/dangers of client statements to media (especially to TMZ).
• Speculation on motives for accusations (possible retribution by a parent for a contract not renewed vs. truthfulness of claims).

Notable Moments / Quotes

• Busfield’s direct statement ([22:42]):

  “I’m going to confront these lies. They’re horrible. They’re all lies. And I did not do anything to those little boys... I’m gonna be exonerated.”

• Arthur, on public accusations ([20:08]):

  “Once these accusations are made, like your life is forever altered, right?”

• Jonna, on the public denial video ([23:33]):

  “We don’t want our clients really ever to make statements. But when it comes to sex abuse and you’re a celebrity, that’s a little bit of a tougher call.”

• On the mix of accusers ([27:00]):

  “If you’re a child molester… boys, if Timothy Busfield is a serial child molester, you usually… teenage girls are different from young boys. It’s a little bit odd that this girl is coming out of the woodwork as well.”

Segment 3: Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Trial—Forensic Evidence Deconstructed

[33:26–51:28] Guest: Joseph Scott Morgan (Death Investigator)

Key Discussion Points

• Case Update: Rex Heuermann, suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer, trial date finally set.

• Evidence Focus:

  • DNA from discarded pizza crust was central to linking Heuermann to old murders.
  • Extensive explanation of DNA evidence: how touch DNA, saliva, and contamination are handled in court.
  • Defense expected to challenge reliability of forensic evidence due to contamination or storage questions.

• Legal Standards:

  • Explanation of Fry vs. Daubert standards in admitting scientific evidence.

• Genetic Genealogy:

  • New methods can break old cases wide open, but privacy/anonymity concerns remain (e.g., the risks of submitting DNA to 23andMe/Ancestry.com).
  • Potential for science to both support and risk civil liberties.

Notable Quotes

• Morgan on DNA ([35:00]):

  “Contained within the saliva is going to be your DNA, your map, your biological map... And it is very much unique. And it is unique to you.”

• Arthur on jury comprehension ([39:03]):

  “Explaining to the jury what DNA is and how it works is not exactly riveting. Am I correct on that one?”

• Morgan on advances in forensics ([48:35]):

  “The more perfected it gets, the scarier it gets.”

• Jonna’s dark humor tip ([51:00]):

  “You can’t put it in the garbage. You gotta flush it down the toilet. That’s how you get rid of the evidence.”

Segment 4: Pennsylvania Gravedigger Case—Human Remains Theft

[51:39–59:37]

Key Discussion Points

• Case Details: Man charged with grave robbing; hundreds of human remains and skulls found in his car and home.
• Details on Discovery: Burglary of graves at Mount Moriah Cemetery; crowbar and burglary tools recovered.
• Dark Marketplace: Human remains advertised on Instagram/Facebook.
• Legal Implications:
  • Theft/distribution of remains across state lines may bring federal charges (interstate commerce).
  • Environmental risk: Bodies embalmed with heavy metals could contaminate his home/neighborhood.

Notable Quotes

• Morgan on the remains ([56:20]):

  “In the basement... there are row upon row upon row of skulls, individual human remains, bony remains, probably upwards of 500, I think right now.”

• Arthur, reference to real-life funeral home scandal ([55:19]):

  “He was the guy who, like, people were giving their loved ones to… and he’s cutting them open and taking out their bones and selling them. And it was a very profitable [scam].”

Segment 5: Jury System in Digital Age

[62:26–66:56]

Listener Question

"Is the traditional jury system still fit for purpose in the era of 24/7 news and social media?"

Hosts’ Perspectives

• Jonna:
  • Our jury system is threatened both by outside information and by jurors who might seek to profit post-trial (e.g., book deals).
• Arthur:
  • Constant exposure to information makes true impartiality difficult, especially in high-profile cases.
  • Suggests allowing jurors to submit questions in writing at trial end, and even calls for a national task force to rethink the system.

Memorable Quotes & Standout Moments

On the challenge of premeditation vs. crime of passion:

“A road trip in the middle of the night is a long time to rethink your decision to off two people… One of the reasons probably why they elevated to premeditated.” – Jonna ([12:16])

On advances in forensics and policing:

“Are we making our old school detectives obsolete or are we making them lazy?... The assumption is, is that science is going to solve the problem. It will not solve the problem.” – Joseph Scott Morgan ([49:50])

On gender and law (Closing Argument by Jonna):

“Actually, we do [have a definition of a woman]. And we owe it all to biology, DNA, chromosomes, reproductive organs… You can call a rooster a chicken all day long, but it's never going to lay an egg. Drop the mic.” – Jonna ([67:14])

On the enduring parental responsibility in child protection:

“There are people, sick people out there... as parents, you gotta just have a keen eye... [the case] is an alert to all parents to just to be alert and to be very, very cognizant that children could be in harm's way and you don't even realize.” – Arthur ([72:57])

Timestamps for Quick Reference

• [01:05] – Start: Tepe double murder – case overview/motive speculation
• [08:45] – Prior threats/evidence emerging against Dr. McKee
• [14:27] – Investigative focus on digital footprints
• [18:25] – Introduction of Timothy Busfield abuse charges
• [22:42] – Busfield’s public video statement
• [29:12] – Media/legal strategy for high-profile accused
• [33:26] – Rex Heuermann, Gilgo Beach killer trial: forensics/death investigator guest
• [35:00] – Explanation of DNA evidence in context
• [42:00] – Fry vs. Daubert for scientific evidence in court
• [43:28] – Genetic genealogy – advantages and privacy risks
• [51:39] – Pennsylvania gravedigger case: details and legal risks
• [62:26] – Listener Q: Jury system in digital age
• [67:14] – Closing arguments: Title IX, gender, jury system

Conclusion

This episode delivers incisive true crime coverage with informed legal context, thoughtful speculation, and technical forensics demystified by expert Joseph Scott Morgan. The hosts maintain a spirited, conversational tone throughout, providing empathetic yet unflinching perspectives on violence, justice, and truth in the modern criminal landscape.