The tragic double murder of Spencer Tepe, a 37-year-old dentist, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, in their Columbus, Ohio home on December 30, 2025, has taken an even darker turn with new revelations about Monique’s first marriage. A close friend of Monique has come forward with disturbing accounts of physical and emotional abuse she endured during her brief union with Michael David McKee, the man now charged with the couple’s murders.
The friend, who has chosen to remain anonymous to protect her privacy amid the ongoing investigation, described a period of intense fear and suffering. According to her, Monique confided in her during the marriage, at one point lifting her shirt to reveal multiple bruises across her back and arms. “She showed me those marks – dark, painful bruises that she tried to hide under long sleeves,” the friend recounted in a recent interview. “She told me it was from arguments that turned physical. Those were truly hellish days living with him. She felt trapped, scared for her life, and like she was walking on eggshells every single day.”
The marriage between Monique (then Monique Sabaturski) and Michael David McKee began on August 22, 2015, in Ohio. What appeared on paper as a short, amicable union—ending in divorce by June 2017 on grounds of incompatibility—concealed a far more turbulent reality, according to those who knew Monique intimately. No children came from the relationship, and court records show no formal restraining orders or documented domestic violence filings at the time. However, the friend’s testimony suggests the abuse was severe enough to leave lasting physical evidence and deep emotional scars.
Monique reportedly shared these experiences privately with a small circle of trusted friends, often in moments of vulnerability. The friend recalled Monique describing McKee as controlling, quick to anger, and capable of explosive outbursts. “She said the bruises weren’t isolated incidents,” the friend explained. “There were times when things escalated, and she felt powerless. She was terrified he might do something worse. Leaving him was the hardest but best decision she ever made.”
These allegations gain chilling significance in light of McKee’s arrest on January 10, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois. The 39-year-old vascular surgeon, who had been living in Chicago, faces upgraded charges of two counts of aggravated murder with premeditation in the shooting deaths of Monique and Spencer. Police linked him to the crime scene through neighborhood surveillance video showing a person of interest in a hooded jacket near the home, and a vehicle traced back to McKee that arrived shortly before the killings and departed soon after.
The discovery of the bodies came after friends and colleagues grew concerned when Spencer failed to appear for work at his dental practice in Athens, Ohio. Multiple 911 calls followed, with one friend entering the home to find the couple fatally shot. Miraculously, the Tepe’s two young children—a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old—along with the family dog, were unharmed inside the residence. The children are now in the care of loving relatives.
McKee and Monique’s marriage lasted less than two years of cohabitation, with McKee pursuing his medical career in Virginia during part of that time while Monique lived in Westerville, Ohio. The divorce decree granted McKee their shared home in Virginia, reflecting a relatively straightforward legal separation. Yet, the friend’s account paints a picture of a relationship marked by fear, where Monique allegedly suffered repeated physical harm.
Experts in domestic violence note that many survivors do not report incidents formally due to fear of retaliation, shame, or hope that the behavior will change. Monique’s eventual escape from the marriage and her subsequent happy life with Spencer—whom she married in December 2020—represented a fresh start filled with love, family, and stability. Friends and family described the couple as soulmates, devoted parents, and generous individuals whose home was full of warmth and laughter. Spencer, a proud father and avid soccer fan, was remembered for his kindness and energy, while Monique was a patient, joyful mother whose warmth touched everyone around her.
The contrast between Monique’s first marriage and her second has fueled speculation about motive in the killings. Authorities have not publicly detailed a specific trigger, but the long gap—nearly nine years since the divorce—suggests any resentment may have simmered for years. Some observers point to Monique’s fulfilling life, her children, and her evident happiness as possible factors that could have reignited old grievances.
McKee, a graduate of Ohio State University for both undergraduate and medical studies, had no prior criminal record and was employed as a vascular surgeon at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford at the time of the murders. His employer issued a statement cooperating with authorities, while neighbors in his Chicago condominium expressed shock at the allegations, describing him as outwardly friendly and unremarkable.
The Tepe family, including Spencer’s brother-in-law Rob Misleh, has expressed gratitude for the swift arrest, calling it “an important step toward justice.” In statements, they emphasized their commitment to honoring Spencer and Monique’s memory by protecting and nurturing the children left behind. A GoFundMe and community support efforts continue to aid the family during this heartbreaking time.
As the case proceeds in Franklin County courts, with McKee expected to plead not guilty, the friend’s revelations add a profound layer of tragedy. They highlight the hidden pain some survivors carry and the devastating ways unresolved trauma can intersect with violence. Monique’s story, from enduring alleged abuse to building a beautiful new life only to have it violently ended, serves as a somber reminder of the lasting impact of domestic violence and the urgent need for awareness and support.
The community of Columbus continues to grieve, holding vigils and sharing memories of the couple who brought light to so many lives. While justice is pursued, the focus remains on healing for the orphaned children and remembering Monique and Spencer for the love they shared.
