Chicago man charged in murders of his ex-wife, dentist waives extradition to Ohio

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WLS) -- A Chicago man briefly appeared in court Monday in connection with the double murder of his ex-wife and her Ohio dentist husband just before the new year.

Michael McKee, 39, waived his right to an extradition hearing Monday, meaning he will eventually be transferred to face charges in Ohio.

Assistant public defender Carie Poirier, who is representing McKee, who works as a vascular surgeon, told the judge he would assert his right to remain silent and to plead not guilty.

Mckee was dressed in a yellow prison jumpsuit and shackled.

It is now up to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office to set up his transfer back to Ohio.

Authorities tracked McKee down in Rockford. The murders led investigators across several states and made national headlines.

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Police were seen at a Lincoln Park condo where McKee lived over the weekend.

"I sat down with this man, and talked with him at the pool, barbecuing, about what a beautiful day it is, and then he turns out to be a killer. It's kind of shocking," Lincoln Park neighbor Gera-Lind Kolarik said.

The Franklin County court in Columbus, Ohio issued an arrest warrant Saturday, as well.

He is accused of murdering his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, and her dentist husband, Spencer Tepe, in Columbus, Ohio over the holidays. According to court records, he has been charged with aggravated murder.

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The couple was found shot to death in their home on Dec. 30. Their two children were found safe inside the home.

Court documents show that McKee was identified using surveillance footage from the neighborhood, stating "This suspect was tracked to a vehicle which arrived just prior to the homicides and left shortly after the homicides."

It's unclear what McKee was doing in Rockford when he was arrested.

According to court records McKee and Monique Tepe divorced in 2017.

A motive for the killings is not yet known.

The Tepe family said in a statement that the arrest is an important step toward justice.

The Tepe family issued the following statement in response to the arrest Saturday:
"Today's arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer. Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon, but we are grateful to the City of Columbus Police Department, its investigators, and assisting law enforcement community whose tireless efforts helped to capture the person involved.
"We thank the community for the continued support, prayers, and compassion shown throughout this tragedy. 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. We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world."

McKee is next due in court next Monday.

Court officials said that court appearance might be canceled if McKee has been extradited back to Ohio by then.

At this point, it is unclear how soon that may happen.

ABC News contributed to this report.