Family members of Monique Tepe have broken their silence with heartbreaking details about the alleged years of torment she endured from her ex-husband, vascular surgeon Dr. Michael David McKee, long before he became the prime suspect in the brutal double murder of Monique and her second husband, Spencer Tepe. The revelations paint a picture of emotional abuse, repeated death threats, and a marriage so controlling that Monique felt desperate to escape—warnings that, in hindsight, take on devastating weight following the December 30, 2025, shootings in their Columbus, Ohio home.

Monique, 39, and Spencer, 37—a beloved dentist known for his kindness, fluency in Spanish, and community involvement—were found shot to death after colleagues raised alarms when Spencer missed work. Police discovered no forced entry, but the scene inside was devastating: Spencer in a pool of blood near the bed, Monique in another room, both victims of gunshot wounds. Their children, ages 1 and 4, and the family dog were unharmed physically but left crying in the aftermath. The couple had been married nearly five years, celebrating their anniversary just weeks earlier, and were described by loved ones as soulmates who radiated joy.

The investigation quickly focused on McKee, Monique’s ex-husband from a brief marriage that began in August 2015 and ended in divorce in 2017 on grounds of incompatibility. Surveillance footage captured a hooded figure—later linked to McKee—approaching the home in the early morning hours, with his vehicle arriving shortly before the estimated time of death (between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.) and departing soon after. Authorities tracked him to Rockford, Illinois, where he worked, arresting him on January 10, 2026, at a Chick-fil-A. Initial murder charges escalated to aggravated premeditated murder, aggravated burglary, and firearm suppressor use after a grand jury indictment on January 16.

A search of McKee’s Chicago condo yielded multiple weapons, one preliminarily matched to the crime scene via ballistics. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant labeled the attack “targeted” and “domestic violence-related,” confirming McKee as the person responsible. He waived extradition from Illinois and plans to plead not guilty, with his attorney remaining silent on specifics.

What has stunned many is the family’s account of McKee’s alleged behavior during the marriage. Spencer’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh, spoke to multiple outlets including NBC News, ABC News, and PEOPLE, describing Monique as “very strong” yet deeply affected by the relationship. “She was terrified because he had threatened her life on multiple occasions when they were married,” Misleh said. Monique confided in loved ones about emotional abuse that “changed her as a person,” including controlling behavior and torment that left her “willing to do anything to get out of there.” Misleh noted she was vocal about these experiences, though he was unaware of physical abuse or recent threats post-divorce.

The couple met in Ohio, where McKee graduated from Ohio State University’s College of Medicine in 2014. They relocated to Virginia for his residency, but cracks appeared early. Monique filed for divorce after living separately, receiving the decree without shared children. She rebuilt her life, meeting Spencer through an online dating app and marrying him in December 2020. Friends described her happiness with Spencer as transformative, contrasting sharply with the “negative impact” McKee allegedly had.

No public records show restraining orders or police reports from the marriage period, but family members emphasize Monique’s fear. Misleh told Good Morning America she “just had to get away from him,” highlighting her resilience in moving forward. The alleged threats resurfaced in family suspicions immediately after the murders, with relatives believing McKee’s history made him a likely suspect.

The case underscores the often invisible progression of domestic violence: coercive control, emotional manipulation, and threats that can escalate over time. Experts note that “slow-motion stalking” or lingering resentment—especially seeing an ex thrive in a new relationship—can fuel delayed violence. McKee’s post-divorce life included moves to Nevada and Illinois, where he practiced vascular surgery at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center until his arrest. A separate malpractice suit filed against him in September 2025 in Las Vegas alleged a botched procedure, with the plaintiff unable to serve papers because McKee “disappeared.”

McKee’s defense maintains his innocence, and no formal charges relate to the past abuse allegations. Yet the family’s words add emotional gravity to the prosecution’s premeditation claim. The use of a silencer ensured quiet execution, sparing the children immediate awareness, while the lack of robbery evidence points to personal motive.

The Tepe family expressed gratitude for police efforts and community support, noting over 1,000 attendees at the funeral. They seek justice for Monique and Spencer, particularly for the children now without parents. Memorials continue at the home, with tributes honoring the couple’s generosity.

As McKee awaits trial in Ohio, the case highlights critical issues: recognizing emotional abuse signs, the long-term impact of threats, and the need for intervention before escalation. Monique’s alleged terror, once private, now fuels calls for awareness. The tragedy leaves a community grieving two lives cut short and two children facing a future forever altered by violence rooted in unresolved pain from the past.