In a revelation that has deepened the tragedy surrounding the murders of Spencer and Monique Tepe, a former Columbus police chief has come forward with disturbing insights into the mindset of suspect Michael David McKee. According to the ex-chief, McKee’s downward spiral began three years ago when he witnessed his ex-wife Monique remarry Spencer Tepe, igniting a 36-month obsession that culminated in the couple’s brutal slayings on December 30, 2025. This timeline, described by investigators as “chilling,” includes 27 unanswered messages from McKee to Monique and a critical decision in the final 48 hours that, if acted upon, might have averted the horror.
Monique, 39, and Spencer, 37, a beloved local dentist, were found shot dead in their Weinland Park home in Columbus, Ohio, mere feet from where their two young children—a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old—slept unharmed. The scene was one of targeted violence, with nothing stolen and no signs of forced entry, pointing to a perpetrator driven by personal vendetta. McKee, Monique’s ex-husband and a 39-year-old vascular surgeon from Illinois, was arrested days later in Rockford after surveillance footage captured a figure matching his description near the home around the time of the killings, estimated between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
The former chief’s claims paint a picture of escalating fixation. Monique and McKee’s marriage lasted less than two years, ending in divorce in 2017 amid allegations of emotional abuse and threats to her life. Family members recall Monique’s terror during that period, describing her as desperate to escape. After rebuilding her life with Spencer, whom she married in a joyful ceremony that McKee allegedly learned about through mutual connections, the harassment reportedly intensified. Over 36 months, McKee sent 27 messages—texts and emails—that went ignored, fueling his resentment. In the 48 hours leading up to the murders, McKee made a pivotal choice to travel from Illinois to Ohio, a move the ex-chief believes could have been intercepted with better monitoring of domestic threats.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant has confirmed the attack as domestic violence-related, emphasizing it was premeditated and targeted. Multiple firearms were seized from McKee’s property, with one preliminarily linked to the crime scene. His vehicle was also identified in the vicinity, solidifying the case against him. McKee, who waived extradition and plans to plead not guilty, faces two counts of aggravated murder, potentially carrying the death penalty.
The Tepes were remembered as a vibrant couple: Spencer for his compassionate dental practice and love for family gatherings, Monique for her warmth as a mother and homemaker. Their children, now with relatives, escaped physical harm but face a lifetime of loss. The ex-chief’s account underscores systemic failures in addressing stalking and threats, urging reforms in protective orders and surveillance.
As McKee awaits trial, the community mourns, haunted by the “what ifs.” This case exposes the dark undercurrents of unresolved domestic strife, where obsession festers unchecked. For those who knew the Tepes, the pain is profound—a loving family torn apart by a plan years in the making. Justice may come, but the heartbreak endures.
