A mother’s desperate plea in her final moments has emerged as a heartbreaking detail in the double homicide of Monique Tepe and her husband Spencer Tepe. Columbus police revealed key insights from the initial interrogation of suspect Michael David McKee, Monique’s ex-husband, confirming that Monique begged him to spare their two young children—ages 4 and 1—before she collapsed fatally wounded beside Spencer in their Columbus home on December 30, 2025. The children, physically unharmed but traumatized, were found in nearby rooms, their cries echoing in frantic 911 calls that first alerted authorities.

The couple was discovered dead from gunshot wounds after a coworker of Spencer’s, concerned by his no-show at work, prompted a welfare check. Police arrived to a scene of targeted violence: no signs of forced entry, nothing stolen, and the family dog left untouched. The children, asleep or in adjacent areas during the attack, were shielded from direct harm, a fact investigators attribute in part to Monique’s final efforts to protect them. Sources close to the case describe her as having intervened verbally, pleading with McKee to leave the kids alone amid the chaos, before succumbing to her injuries.

McKee, 39, a vascular surgeon formerly based in Illinois, was arrested on January 10, 2026, in Rockford after a multi-state investigation. Charged with premeditated aggravated murder, he faces extradition to Ohio following a grand jury indictment that added burglary and other counts. Police linked him through surveillance footage showing a figure matching his description in an alley near the home, vehicle tracking, and a firearm recovered from his residence that matched ballistics evidence. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant described the killings as a “domestic violence-related attack,” targeted and personal, with no random element.

The couple’s history adds layers to the tragedy. Monique and McKee married in 2015 but divorced in 2017 amid allegations of emotional abuse and threats. Family members later revealed Monique had been “terrified” during the marriage, claiming McKee threatened her life on multiple occasions. She confided in loved ones about the trauma, which lingered even after she rebuilt her life with Spencer, a dentist she wed in late 2020. The pair shared a loving home filled with travel, laughter, and their two children, often described as the center of their world. A family statement mourned them as “proud parents” who created “a home filled with warmth, happiness, and connection,” vowing to protect the children’s future while seeking justice.

The children’s survival stands as a bittersweet miracle. Found physically safe but emotionally scarred, they were quickly placed with relatives who have surrounded them with support. 911 audio captures a coworker’s frantic call after discovering the bodies, with the kids’ screams audible in the background—a sound that haunted responders and the public alike. Police emphasized that the youngsters were not direct targets, and their unharmed state may owe to Monique’s intervention or the attacker’s focus on the adults. Forensic details remain sealed, but preliminary autopsies confirmed gunshot wounds as the cause of death for both.

McKee’s past has come under intense scrutiny. Friends of the couple described him as controlling and unable to move on after the divorce, allegedly stalking Monique’s life through mutual contacts. A clerical error briefly reopened their divorce case months before the murders, though its relevance remains unclear. McKee had “disappeared” from professional circles prior to the incident, raising questions about planning. His hospital employer cooperated fully with investigators.

The case has gripped central Ohio, where the Tepes were well-known in their community. Spencer, a respected dentist, and Monique, a devoted mother, left behind grieving extended family determined to honor them by safeguarding the children. Public vigils and statements from officials, including Mayor Andrew Ginther, called for community support, urging residents to “wrap our arms around this family” as they navigate unimaginable loss.

Investigators continue building the case, with McKee awaiting extradition. The revelation of Monique’s plea has deepened the emotional weight, painting her as a protector who used her last strength to shield her babies. In a crime driven by apparent domestic obsession, her act of courage ensured the next generation survived—though forever changed by the violence that stole their parents.

As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on justice for Monique and Spencer, and healing for their children. The family’s commitment to moving forward while pursuing accountability echoes Monique’s final instinct: protection above all. This tragedy underscores the devastating reach of unresolved domestic tensions, reminding communities of the need for vigilance and support for those escaping abusive pasts.