Ohio investigators have charged M***** D**** M*****, 39, with two counts of murder in the deaths of S***** T***, 37, and his wife M***** T***, 39, who were found shot inside their Weinland Park home in Columbus on December 30.
According to court documents, detectives identified the suspect by tracking a vehicle seen arriving near the couple’s residence shortly before the estimated time of the killings and leaving shortly afterward. Surveillance footage from nearby neighborhoods allowed investigators to trace the vehicle to Rockford, Illinois, where it was later located and linked to McKee.
The suspect, who is M*****’s former husband, was taken into custody on January 10 and remains held in Illinois while awaiting extradition to Ohio. A court hearing is scheduled to begin the formal transfer process.
Police said there were no signs of forced entry and no evidence of robbery inside the home. Investigators recovered spent shell casings at the scene. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office reported that both victims suffered fatal gunshot wounds, though final determinations remain pending further testing.
The couple’s deaths were discovered after coworkers became alarmed when S***** did not arrive at work and could not be reached. Friends also contacted emergency services after hearing the couple’s young children crying inside the residence. Officers later confirmed both adults were deceased, while the children were unharmed.
Earlier in the investigation, police released surveillance video showing a hooded figure walking in an alley near the home during the estimated time window of the killings. Authorities have not confirmed whether that individual was the suspect.
Once extradited, McKee will appear in Franklin County Municipal Court for a bond hearing. The case will then be reviewed by a grand jury for potential indictment and further charges.
In a statement, the Tepe family thanked law enforcement for their efforts and expressed gratitude for the community’s support. They said their focus remains on honoring the lives of the couple and protecting the children they leave behind.
Family members described S***** as a devoted father and compassionate professional, and M***** as a warm, patient, and deeply loving mother who brought people together with kindness.
Authorities urged the public to allow the legal process to proceed while respecting the privacy of the family.
