In the aftermath of the tragic December 30, 2025, double homicide that claimed the lives of Dr. Spencer Tepe and his wife Monique Tepe in their Columbus, Ohio, home, new details about Monique’s ex-husband, Dr. Michael David McKee, have emerged that have left many stunned. McKee, a 39-year-old vascular surgeon accused of the premeditated killings, has been described as leading a highly transient life since the couple’s divorce in 2017. Reports indicate he repeatedly changed jobs and relocated across multiple states in the years following the split, a pattern that stands in stark contrast to the stability Monique sought in her subsequent marriage and family life.

McKee and Monique (then Monique Sabaturski) married in August 2015 in Ohio, where both had ties to The Ohio State University—McKee as a medical student and Monique in her earlier career. The marriage was brief, lasting under two years. Monique filed for divorce in May 2017 on grounds of incompatibility, with the decree finalized shortly after in June 2017. At the time, the couple lived separately: Monique had returned to Ohio, working for Nationwide in Westerville, while McKee was in Roanoke, Virginia, completing a surgical residency at Carilion Clinic. The divorce agreement was amicable on paper—McKee retained their $230,000 home in Roanoke (solely in his name), no spousal support was ordered, and each kept their vehicles and debts. No children were involved, and the case included standard mutual restraining orders typical in Ohio domestic relations proceedings.

What followed the divorce marked a dramatic shift for McKee. Rather than settling into a long-term position after completing his residency, he embarked on a series of relocations and professional moves that spanned several states. Medical licensing records show he obtained licenses in California and Maryland in 2022, Nevada in 2023, and most recently Illinois in 2024. These rapid changes took him from Virginia to potential opportunities on the West Coast, the Mid-Atlantic, and ultimately the Midwest. By the time of his arrest, McKee was practicing as a vascular surgeon at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, while residing in the Chicago area—more than 400 miles from Columbus.

This nomadic professional trajectory has raised eyebrows among observers, especially given the context of the allegations against him. Sources close to the case and public discussions have suggested that McKee’s frequent moves may have been linked to career challenges, including potential issues with job performance or stability in certain roles. While no formal disciplinary actions or incompetence findings have been publicly confirmed, the pattern of bouncing between states—often shortly after obtaining new licenses—has been noted as unusual for a surgeon who had completed rigorous training. Some reports hint at a “downward spiral” in his professional life in recent years, particularly around positions in Nevada and California, though specifics remain limited.

The shock deepens when considering the timeline leading up to the murders. In June 2025—eight years after the divorce was finalized—a clerical error in court records mistakenly revived the old case, placing it back on the docket with a hearing scheduled for September (later canceled once the mistake was identified). This unexpected resurfacing occurred just months before the December tragedy, adding an eerie layer to an already heartbreaking story. Family members of Monique have described her as someone who was “willing to do anything” to escape the marriage, with accounts from friends indicating emotional difficulties during the relationship. Monique reportedly moved back to Ohio with family support, leaving Virginia while McKee was at work.

McKee was arrested on January 10, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois, after investigators traced a vehicle linked to him near the Tepe home on the night of the shootings. Surveillance footage allegedly captured the suspect’s movements, and multiple firearms, including one believed to be the murder weapon (possibly equipped with a suppressor), were recovered from his property. He faces serious charges, including multiple counts of aggravated murder and aggravated burglary, with prosecutors alleging premeditation. McKee waived extradition in Illinois and is expected to face trial in Franklin County, Ohio, where he could face life in prison if convicted.

The contrast between McKee’s unsettled post-divorce life and the stable, loving home Monique built with Spencer Tepe—complete with two young children, Emilia and Beckham—has amplified the community’s sense of disbelief. Spencer, a dedicated dentist at Athens Dental Depot, and Monique, a devoted stay-at-home mother with a background in early childhood education, were weeks away from celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary. Their lives were filled with joy, community involvement, and family, a far cry from the transience that characterized McKee’s years after the split.

As the investigation continues and legal proceedings unfold, the frequent job changes and cross-country moves have become a focal point of speculation. Why did a highly trained surgeon, capable of securing licenses in multiple states, struggle to maintain long-term stability? Was it professional dissatisfaction, personal unrest, or something deeper tied to the ended marriage? These questions linger as friends, colleagues, and the public grapple with how a brief union from nearly a decade ago could culminate in such devastating violence.

The Tepe family and the broader Columbus community continue to mourn two lives full of promise, while the pattern of McKee’s restless journey serves as a haunting backdrop to an unthinkable crime. In the quiet aftermath, the story underscores how past relationships can cast long shadows, even across years and miles.