“HE PLANNED IT FOR 3 YEARS” — Chilling new claim rocks the Tepe murder case 💔🔥

A former police chief is dropping bombshells: Dr. Michael David McKee allegedly spiraled into obsession after Monique Tepe remarried Spencer, fixating for a full 36 months.

27 unanswered messages. Years of lurking through mutual friends for updates on her happy new life. And in the final 48 hours before the December 30, 2025, shootings—one critical decision that could have stopped the nightmare dead in its tracks.

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A former police chief has publicly asserted that vascular surgeon Dr. Michael David McKee, accused of the premeditated murders of his ex-wife Monique Tepe and her husband Spencer Tepe, allegedly harbored a three-year obsession triggered by Monique’s remarriage, according to comments reported in media interviews.

The claim, made by former Fort Worth Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead in a Fox News Digital appearance on January 13, 2026, suggested a “multitude” of possible motives for the December 30, 2025, shootings, with a recent trigger potentially escalating long-held resentment. Halstead, now a spokesman for Genasys (a public safety technology firm), described how seeing an ex-partner move on successfully could devastate certain individuals, pointing to jealousy or ego damage as factors. He referenced the idea of a 36-month fixation, though specifics on “27 unanswered messages” or a pivotal “decision in the final 48 hours” that might have prevented the crime were not detailed in available reports and appear tied to broader speculation or unnamed sources in the evolving narrative.

McKee, 39, was arrested January 10, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois, where he practiced at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. Columbus police charged him with two counts of aggravated murder with premeditation (later upgraded and expanded by a Franklin County grand jury on January 16 to four aggravated murder counts and one aggravated burglary). A preliminary ballistics match linked one of multiple firearms recovered from McKee’s Chicago residence to the scene. Surveillance video showed a vehicle associated with McKee arriving near the Tepes’ Weinland Park home shortly before the estimated time of death (around 3:50 a.m.) and departing soon after.

Monique Tepe, 39, and Spencer Tepe, 37, were found shot multiple times in their bedroom on the 1400 block of North 4th Street. Their children, ages 4 and 1, were unharmed but present, along with the family dog. A colleague of Spencer’s, concerned after he missed work, prompted a wellness check that led to the discovery. No forced entry was reported, and police classified the attack as targeted and domestic violence-related.

McKee and Monique (née Sabaturski) married August 22, 2015, after meeting at Ohio State University. The marriage ended in divorce by June 2017 on grounds of incompatibility, with no children or significant financial disputes noted in records. Monique’s family later alleged emotional abuse during the union, with her reportedly telling relatives she was “terrified” of McKee and that he threatened her life multiple times. No formal police reports or restraining orders from that era were documented publicly.

After the divorce, Monique remarried Spencer Tepe in December 2020. Friends described her as thriving in the relationship, raising two young children while pursuing her own path. A mutual acquaintance told PEOPLE that McKee struggled to accept her happiness, allegedly inquiring about her through shared contacts years later. The source claimed this eroded his “fragile little ego,” as he once believed she “could not live without him.” Such accounts align with Halstead’s commentary on how ex-partners’ new successes can fuel resentment in some cases.

Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant, at a January 14 press conference, confirmed McKee as the sole suspect and emphasized the investigation’s focus on premeditation. Authorities recovered multiple weapons from his property, with one preliminarily tied to the homicides via ballistics. No prior incidents involving McKee at the Tepe residence appeared in police records.

Halstead’s analysis, while not part of the official investigation, highlighted common patterns in domestic-related homicides: long-term grudges, perceived loss of control, and triggers like anniversaries or visible life milestones. He suggested a “recent event” may have pushed McKee over the edge, though specifics remain unconfirmed. The “3 years” timeframe roughly aligns with Monique’s remarriage and family-building period post-divorce.

The Tepe families issued statements expressing no surprise at McKee’s arrest, thanking police for their efforts. Monique’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh, told media outlets she had been “vocal” about the emotional toll of her first marriage and her relief in escaping it. Spencer’s family echoed gratitude for community support and prayers for the orphaned children.

McKee waived extradition in Illinois and awaits transfer to Ohio, where he is expected to plead not guilty. His public defender has not commented on motive or the fixation claims. A Nevada malpractice lawsuit from 2025 (amended to include McKee) alleged surgical negligence but has no apparent link to the criminal case.

As proceedings advance—potentially in Franklin County’s court system—the allegations of premeditation raise questions about planning duration and any missed intervention opportunities. Police have withheld full motive details to protect the prosecution, but the contrast between McKee’s professional success and the alleged personal spiral continues to fuel public discussion.

For the Tepe loved ones, the focus remains on justice and healing for the young children left behind. Vigils and fundraisers have supported the family amid national attention on the case.

Whether the “3-year plan” assertion holds in court or stems from interpretive analysis, the tragedy underscores the devastating impact of unresolved relational conflicts. Authorities continue building their case, with extradition and trial proceedings on the horizon.