At a Glance
- Michael David McKee, 39, an Illinois surgeon, was charged with aggravated premeditated murder in the Dec. 30 shooting of his ex-wife Monique Tepe and her husband Spencer Tepe
- The Tepe family says Monique, 37, had long feared McKee and was “very vocal about being terrified of this guy”
- McKee was arrested in Illinois on Jan. 10 and is awaiting extradition to Ohio
- Why it matters: The case spotlights how alleged long-term emotional abuse can escalate to deadly violence years after a relationship ends
Monique Tepe and her husband Spencer Tepe were found fatally shot inside their Columbus, Ohio home in the early hours of Dec. 30. Within two weeks, Monique’s ex-husband, Michael David McKee, was behind bars on upgraded murder charges.
The Night of the Killings
The couple, married five years, died in what authorities now describe as an execution-style attack. Columbus police have not released details about how the killer entered the home or whether anything was stolen. No witnesses have been identified publicly, and a motive has not been disclosed.
Arrest and Charges
McKee, a 39-year-old surgeon based in Illinois, was taken into custody on Jan. 10. Court records reviewed by News Of Losangeles show he was initially charged with two counts of murder. The next day prosecutors filed upgraded charges: two counts of aggravated premeditated murder, a designation that can carry life without parole in Ohio.
He is being held in Illinois pending extradition. During a brief court appearance, his public defender told the judge McKee intends to plead not guilty.
History of Fear
Relatives say Monique spent the last decade warning those closest to her that her ex-husband posed a danger.
“Monique was very vocal about being terrified of this guy [till her death],” Rob Misleh, who is married to Spencer’s sister, told News Of Losangeles.
According to Misleh, the emotional abuse Monique allegedly endured during her marriage to McKee “changed her as a person.” The pair divorced in 2017 after several years of marriage. Authorities have not confirmed any history of domestic violence reports, and News Of Losangeles has reached out to McKee’s public defender for comment on the allegations.
Why an Ex Might Return
Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert, author of Therapy Nation, explained to News Of Losangeles how a former partner can become fixated years after a split:
- An ex “may fixate on a narrative that they were wronged or replaced”
- Over time that grievance can harden into obsession
- They ruminate, rewrite the past, and build an internal storyline that turns the former partner into the source of their distress
- The new partner or new family becomes a trigger because it symbolizes a life they feel cut out of
“From the outside, there are no obvious warning signs,” Alpert said. “But internally, the offender may have been dealing with a grievance for years.”
Family Reaction
The Tepe family told News Of Losangeles they are “confident” police have the right suspect.
Spencer, 37, worked in medical device sales. Monique was active in local charity circles and had recently launched a small event-planning business. Friends described the pair as inseparable, often posting hiking and travel photos on social media.
Next Steps
Once extradited to Franklin County, Ohio, McKee will face arraignment. Prosecutors have not yet said whether they will seek the death penalty. A trial date has not been set.
Key Takeaways
- Domestic violence can escalate long after a relationship ends – Monique Tepe’s family says she feared her ex-husband for nearly a decade
- No-contact orders don’t always stop determined abusers – police have not said whether any protective measures were in place
- New partners can become targets – experts say an ex may view a former spouse’s new life as a personal affront
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential, with support in more than 170 languages.
