An Ohio grand jury has indicted an Illinois surgeon in the double homicide of his ex-wife and her dentist husband, who were killed in their Columbus home in December in a case that initially generated nationwide mystery.

Court records show a Franklin county grand jury charged Michael David McKee on 16 January with aggravated murder and aggravated burglary while using a firearm suppressor.

McKee, 39, a vascular surgeon who was living in Chicago, is charged in the shooting deaths of 39-year-old Monique Tepe, from whom he was divorced in 2017, and dentist Dr Spencer Tepe, 37, in their home on 30 December.

No attorney for McKee was listed on court documents.

Authorities apprehended McKee in Rockford, Illinois, on 10 January. The hospital where he worked – OSF Saint Anthony medical center – has said it is cooperating with the investigation. He is currently being held after he waived his right to an extradition hearing Monday. His next hearing in Winnebago county, Illinois, is scheduled for 23 January.

Elaine Bryant , the Columbus police chief, said in an Associated Press interview on Wednesday that authorities now believe McKee was the person seen walking down a dark alley near the Tepes’ home in video footage from the night of the murders. His vehicle has also been identified traveling near the house, and a firearm found in his Illinois residence also matched evidence at the scene, she said. Authorities have not disclosed what type of firearm was used in the killing.

His arrest attracted national attention across the US, capping off nearly two weeks of speculation surrounding the Tepes’ killings. No obvious signs of forced entry were found at the couple’s. Police also said no weapon was found there, and murder-suicide was not suspected.

Nothing was stolen and the couple’s two young children and their dog were left unharmed in the home.

Byrant said police are encouraging the public to keep the tips coming. She said emails, phone calls and other messages left with Columbus police helped them to gather enough evidence to make an arrest.

“We want to thank our community specifically for stepping up, reaching out, giving us the information and being open to sharing that with us,” she said. “It has been tremendous.”