The indictment of Michael David McKee on four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary has intensified the spotlight on the December 30, 2025, shooting deaths of Monique Tepe and her husband Spencer Tepe in their Columbus, Ohio home. McKee, Monique’s ex-husband and a 39-year-old vascular surgeon based in Chicago, faces life in prison if convicted, with prosecutors alleging premeditation, use of a firearm equipped with a suppressor, and a targeted domestic violence-related attack. The case has drawn national attention, revealing layers of past trauma, a brief but troubled marriage, and a chilling escalation years after the couple’s divorce.

Monique and McKee married on August 22, 2015, but the union unraveled quickly. They lived together for only seven months before Monique moved out in March 2016, citing incompatibility in divorce proceedings finalized in June 2017. No children were involved, and public records from the time show no formal allegations of physical violence or restraining orders. However, those close to Monique have since described a far darker reality. Rob Misleh, brother-in-law to Spencer Tepe, told media outlets that Monique confided in him and others about severe emotional abuse and repeated death threats during the marriage. “She was terrified because he had threatened her life on multiple occasions when they were married,” Misleh said. “She wasn’t shy about talking to people about traumatic experiences she had with her ex and just how emotionally abusive he was to her. It affected her to this day.”

Misleh emphasized Monique’s determination to escape: “She was willing to do anything to get out of there.” Family and friends noted the lasting negative impact, describing the relationship as one marked by torment that lingered long after the legal separation. Monique rebuilt her life in the years that followed, meeting Spencer Tepe through dating apps, marrying him on January 30, 2020, and starting a family with two young children. Their wedding vows, exchanged in the same home where tragedy later struck, reflected on past heartbreaks—including “wrong relationships”—that led her to a healthier partnership. Spencer, a respected 37-year-old dentist, provided stability and love, and the couple appeared to thrive in their Weinland Park neighborhood.

The murders shattered that peace. On the morning of December 30, friends discovered Spencer and Monique shot dead on the second floor of their home, with their children—ages four and one—unharmed but present. No signs of forced entry were found, and police quickly ruled out murder-suicide. The investigation revealed a targeted attack: surveillance footage captured a person of interest and a vehicle arriving before the estimated time of death (between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.) and departing shortly after. Tips flooded in, and evidence linked McKee’s movements from Chicago—over a seven-hour drive—to the scene.

McKee was arrested on January 10, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois, initially on two counts of murder. Charges escalated to premeditated aggravated murder, with a Franklin County grand jury indicting him on January 16 on four aggravated murder counts (each with firearm specifications) and one aggravated burglary count. Police recovered multiple firearms from his Chicago property, one preliminarily matched to the crime scene via ballistic analysis. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant described the incident as “domestic violence-related,” confirming McKee as the person of interest seen on video. He waived extradition and awaits transfer to Ohio.

The timeline underscores the long shadow of Monique’s first marriage. Despite nearly a decade passing since the divorce, family accounts suggest the emotional scars persisted. Experts in domestic violence note that coercive control and threats can fester, with separation sometimes heightening risks rather than ending them. While no recent direct threats were publicly reported, the alleged pattern of abuse—emotional torment, life threats—aligns with cases where former partners harbor resentment over years. McKee’s career involved moves across states, including job changes and evading a malpractice lawsuit, adding to questions about his stability post-divorce.

The Tepe family released statements expressing grief and gratitude for law enforcement’s efforts. “Today’s arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer,” they said after the initial charges. Community vigils honored the couple, with tributes highlighting Monique’s warmth as a mother and Spencer’s dedication as a professional and father. The children, now orphaned, remain in the care of loved ones, their future forever altered.

As proceedings move forward, the case highlights systemic challenges in addressing long-term domestic abuse risks. Emotional and coercive patterns often evade early intervention without documented incidents, yet can culminate in extreme violence. Advocates stress believing survivors’ accounts of threats, even years later, and improving protections like monitoring post-separation behaviors.

McKee, presumed innocent until proven guilty, faces a complex legal battle. Prosecutors must prove intent, premeditation, and the domestic link beyond reasonable doubt. The recovered suppressor suggests efforts to silence the crime, amplifying the premeditated nature. Motive remains under wraps, but family revelations point to unresolved resentment from the failed marriage.

The tragedy of Monique and Spencer Tepe serves as a somber reminder of how past relationships can cast long shadows. Monique’s courage in leaving, rebuilding, and sharing her experiences quietly with trusted people underscores survivor resilience. Yet the outcome illustrates that danger can persist, demanding vigilance, support networks, and stronger safeguards. In Columbus, as justice unfolds, the community mourns two lives lost and holds space for healing amid unanswered questions about how a brief, fearful marriage ended in such irreversible horror.