Michael McKee, an Illinois surgeon charged with the murders of his ex-wife Monique Tepe and her husband Spencer Tepe in Columbus, Ohio, allegedly threatened to kill her at any time, according to a newly unsealed court affidavit that reveals a history of abuse and stalking prior to the December 2025 killings.
The affidavit, filed in Franklin County and reported recently, details that Monique Tepe had confided in friends and family about McKee’s violent behavior during their brief marriage from 2015 to 2017. Witnesses described instances where McKee strangled her and forced unwanted sexual acts, with one friend recounting that he told Monique he could ‘kill her at any time’ and vowed to always be her husband, even suggesting he would buy the house next to hers.
Monique and Spencer Tepe were found dead in their Weinland Park home on the morning of December 30, 2025, with their two young children, aged one and four, unharmed inside. Columbus police have characterized the attack as domestic violence-related, but specifics remained limited until the affidavit’s release provided new insights into the suspect’s alleged motives and actions.
Surveillance footage played a key role in the investigation, placing McKee near the Tepes’ property on December 6, 2025, while the couple was attending a football game in Indiana. During that trip, Monique left early, telling friends she was upset about her ex-husband. Additionally, video from the night of the murders captured a silver SUV linked to McKee in the neighborhood, and the vehicle was later found at his workplace with altered license plates and evidence of tampering.
McKee’s cell phone showed no activity for approximately 17 hours around the time of the homicides, having been left at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Illinois, where he worked as a vascular surgeon. Police recovered multiple weapons from his property, with ballistics preliminarily connecting one to the crime, strengthening the case against him.
McKee was arrested on January 10, 2026, and faces four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary. He pleaded not guilty through his defense attorney, Diane Menashe, who waived bond at his arraignment and has declined to comment on the affidavit’s allegations, citing pending legal matters.
The case highlights the severe risks of domestic violence and stalking, with the affidavit suggesting premeditation through McKee’s alleged planning and movements. Ohio law requires proof of ‘prior calculation and design’ for aggravated murder charges, which the prosecution may leverage based on this new evidence.
As the legal proceedings continue, McKee is scheduled for further court appearances, while the community and the victims’ families seek closure. The revelations from the court documents underscore the importance of addressing domestic abuse proactively and supporting those at risk, as the tragedy sheds light on the potential escalation from threats to lethal violence.
