Monique Tepe and Mackey divorced nearly a decade ago, but USA TODAY has learned that they were scheduled to appear in court in Ohio over the matter three months before the killing.
Columbus Police Say Tepe’s Killing Was a ‘Targeted Attack’
The Columbus Police Chief announced that “multiple weapons” were recovered from the property of Michael McKee, the suspect in the deaths of Monique and Spencer Tepe.
New details have emerged about the Chicago surgeon accused of killing his ex-wife and her new husband in Ohio, and investigators say they believe they have recovered the murder weapon.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said at a press conference Wednesday, Jan. 14, that one of the guns found in Michael David McKee’s Chicago apartment was previously matched to the scene of the shooting deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe.
“This was a targeted attack,” Bryant said.
The Tepeses were found shot to death in their home on December 30th. Their children, ages 1 and 4, were crying inside the house but were physically unharmed, as was the couple’s dog. McKee, Monique Tepe’s ex-husband, was arrested in the Chicago area 11 days after the murder and charged with premeditated murder in the case.
His lawyer said he would plead not guilty and remain silent if extradited to Ohio.
Meanwhile, a member of Tepe’s family told NBC News on January 14 that McKee had been emotionally abusive to Monique Tepe.
Her brother-in-law, Rob Misley, said: “At the time of their marriage, she was terrified because he had threatened her life many times.” “She was not shy about telling people about her traumatic experiences with her ex-boyfriend and how emotionally abusive he was to her, which still affects her to this day.”
He told Good Morning America that Monique Tepe was “a very strong person” who was “willing to do anything to get out of there.”
Monique Tepe and Mackey divorced nearly a decade ago, but USA TODAY has learned that they were scheduled to appear in court in Ohio in connection with the matter in September, three months before the murder.
Here are the latest incidents.
Mayor says murder is ‘unspeakable crime’
Beyond revelations about the murder weapon, police released few new details at a Jan. 14 news conference, saying they did not want to risk jeopardizing charges against McKee, a 39-year-old vascular surgeon who lived about seven hours away from Tepe’s home in Columbus, Ohio.
Chief Bryant said Columbus police have no record of complaints of violence or harassment related to Tepe’s home. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther called the incident an “unspeakable crime” and thanked community members who provided video and information that led to arrests in the case.
“The tips submitted in this case were significant,” Ginther said. “This was a targeted domestic violence attack that left two people dead and irrevocably changed the lives of their children, family, colleagues and friends. Our hearts are with Spencer and Monique and their loved ones, especially the children affected by this unimaginable loss.”
What do divorce records show?
On paper, Monique Tepe and Michael McKee’s marriage of less than two years ended on mediocre terms, according to divorce records obtained by USA TODAY on Jan. 14.
According to the separation agreement filed on April 28, 2017, “Due to differences of opinion, the parties are currently living separately.”
After graduating from Ohio State University in 2014, McKee kept the couple’s home in Roanoke, Virginia, where he worked as a medical resident. Records show the house, valued at about $230,000 at the time, remained in McKee’s name only, including the mortgage.
No one was ordered to pay spousal support, and Ms. McKee and Ms. Tepe each continued to have their own cars and debts.
The couple married in Columbus on August 22, 2015, but divorced in May 2017.
There was no further movement in the divorce case for several years until June 2025, although court records showed a hearing was scheduled. A trial date in the case was scheduled for September, but it has been canceled, a court spokesperson told USA TODAY.
No one in the court could immediately say why the hearing was scheduled or rescheduled eight years after the divorce.
When did Monique remarry?
Monique and Spencer Tepe were married on January 30, 2020, and were murdered one month shy of their fifth wedding anniversary.
Monique Tepe said in her wedding vows that it was a “quite a journey” to get to Spencer.
“Countless bad Bumble dates, bad relationships, and a waterfall of tears,” she said, crying. “But it was worth all the cringing because it led me to you. Through all of this, I knew that God was leading me into my own person, and that when I met Him, it was going to be the most magical thing ever. And is that an understatement?”
During his vows, Spencer told Monique that she was his best friend.
“We are very lucky,” he said. “I promise to never stop loving you and always keep working on us…I promise to always do my best to keep you smiling because your smile is my favorite thing.”
What do the Tepe family say?
In an interview with NBC News, Misley said she was not aware of any physical abuse between Mackey and Monique Tepe or if there had been any recent threats. “If any of us had known that these threats were actually based on probabilities, we all would have acted differently,” he said.
He told Good Morning America that more than 1,000 people attended Tepes’ funeral, showing how kind and well-liked they were.
“We just want justice,” Misley said. “We want this person to take so much from so many people, not just our family. And of course, especially children. We want this person to pay for what they’ve done.”
In a previous statement to USA TODAY, the Tepe family said they were devastated by the loss.
“They were extraordinary people who lived lives filled with love, joy and deep connections with others,” they said. “We are heartbroken beyond words.”
They described Spencer, 37, as a “devoted and proud father, loving partner and friend to everyone he met,” and Monique, 39, as a “loving, patient and joyful mother whose warmth defined her.”
“We continue to honor their lives and the light they brought to this world.”
