The tragic double homicide of Ohio dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique Tepe has taken on new dimensions with emerging details about the suspect’s prolonged harassment of Monique following their divorce. Authorities and family sources indicate that Michael David McKee, Monique’s ex-husband, engaged in persistent unwanted contact—including an alleged accumulation of 500 unread messages spanning roughly six months—contributing to escalating obsession that culminated in the fatal shootings on December 30, 2025.
McKee, a 39-year-old vascular surgeon based in Illinois, was arrested on January 10, 2026, in Rockford and now faces two counts of aggravated murder with premeditation in Franklin County, Ohio. The case, initially shocking due to its domestic violence context years after the 2017 divorce, has drawn scrutiny for patterns of emotional abuse, threats, and alleged stalking that Monique reportedly endured and shared with loved ones.
Family members, particularly Spencer’s brother-in-law Rob Misleh, have been vocal about Monique’s past terror. Misleh described McKee as “very emotionally abusive,” claiming the behavior “changed her as a person” during their brief 2015-2017 marriage. Monique confided that McKee threatened her life “many times,” leaving her “terrified” and determined to escape. “She was willing to do anything to get away from him,” Misleh told outlets like People and NBC News. These accounts align with broader reports of coercive control, a form of domestic abuse involving isolation, monitoring, and psychological manipulation—often a precursor to lethal violence when an ex-partner moves on.
While no public police records show prior harassment complaints at the Tepe home in Columbus, sources close to the investigation and family suggest McKee’s fixation persisted post-divorce. The revelation of 500 unread messages over six months—likely via text, email, or social media—paints a picture of unrelenting pursuit. Monique, who blocked or ignored the communications, reportedly never responded, which sources say fueled McKee’s frustration and decision to “take action.” This non-response is cited in some accounts as a trigger for the premeditated attack, where jealousy over Monique’s happy new life with Spencer, including two young children, may have played a role.
The couple was discovered shot in their Weinland Park home after Spencer’s colleagues reported him missing from work. Spencer, 37, suffered multiple gunshot wounds; Monique, 39, was hit at least once in the chest. Their children (ages about 4 and 1) and dog were unharmed, with no forced entry or theft, pointing to a targeted intrusion. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant labeled it a “targeted domestic violence-related” incident, with McKee as the sole suspect.
Evidence presented at the January 14, 2026, press conference was damning: surveillance video captured a figure (believed to be McKee) in a nearby alley; vehicle tracking placed McKee’s car in the area after a 400+ mile drive from Illinois; and a firearm recovered from his Chicago condo matched ballistics (via NIBIN) to 9mm casings and wounds at the scene. “We believe we have the person responsible,” Bryant stated.
The harassment angle adds urgency to discussions of post-separation abuse. Experts note that stalking behaviors—persistent unwanted contact despite clear rejection—escalate risk significantly. Monique’s family portrayed her marriage to Spencer as a fresh start: loving, stable, filled with joy. Spencer was remembered as “the kindest man,” who helped heal Monique’s trauma. Colleagues and friends highlighted his mentorship and devotion; the couple gathered loved ones, celebrated anniversaries, and built a nurturing home.
McKee’s background contrasts sharply: a high-achieving surgeon with no apparent prior criminal record, though separate malpractice lawsuits surfaced. His brief marriage to Monique ended civilly on paper, with no children or major assets complicating the split. Yet family insists the emotional toll lingered for Monique, who remained vocal about her fears until her death.
As McKee awaits extradition (waived in Illinois court, with a not-guilty plea anticipated), prosecutors may reveal more about digital evidence like those 500 messages during trial. The case highlights gaps in addressing non-physical abuse: many victims hesitate to report due to lack of immediate physical threat, yet patterns like repeated ignored contacts can signal danger.
Community response in Columbus has been supportive, with vigils honoring the Tepes’ warmth and the children’s resilience. The tragedy underscores domestic violence’s long shadow—emotional torment can fester for years, erupting violently when an ex finds happiness elsewhere. For Monique’s loved ones, the unanswered messages represent not just obsession, but a deadly refusal to let go.
