Chilling Revelation in Ohio Double Murder Case: Close Friend Claims Michael McKee Stalked Ex-Wife Monique Tepe, Obsessed After Seeing Her Happy 5th-Anniversary Video – Leading to Deadly Decision
In a bombshell exclusive that has intensified the national spotlight on one of Ohio’s most shocking crimes, a close friend of accused killer Michael David McKee has come forward for the first time, alleging that the vascular surgeon had been obsessively stalking his ex-wife Monique Tepe for years following their 2017 divorce. The friend claims McKee’s fixation escalated dramatically after viewing a joyful video or social media post celebrating Monique and her husband Spencer Tepe‘s approaching 5th wedding anniversary—prompting him to allegedly decide to kill them both.
Here are haunting images of Michael David McKee, the 39-year-old Chicago-based surgeon charged in the murders, including his booking photo and court appearances:
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The double homicide occurred in the early hours of December 30, 2025, when Spencer Tepe, 37, a beloved local dentist, and Monique Tepe, 39, were fatally shot in their Columbus home in the Weinland Park neighborhood. Their two young children, ages 4 and 1, were physically unharmed but left crying in the house, along with the family dog. The couple was just weeks away from marking their fifth wedding anniversary on what would have been a joyous occasion.
Police describe the attack as a targeted, domestic violence-related incident with no signs of forced entry. Surveillance footage captured a hooded figure walking calmly through a snowy alley near the home between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., later linked to McKee through vehicle tracking and ballistic evidence. Multiple firearms recovered from McKee’s property included one preliminarily matched to the crime scene via NIBIN ballistic analysis.
These somber photos show Monique Tepe and Spencer Tepe in happier times, capturing the loving couple whose lives were tragically cut short:
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The friend’s revelation adds a deeply personal layer to the motive. According to the account, McKee—once married to Monique from 2015 to 2017 in a brief, reportedly emotionally abusive union—could not accept her thriving in a new life. He allegedly kept tabs through mutual acquaintances, inquiring about her well-being and monitoring her public profiles. Seeing evidence of her happiness with Spencer, particularly around their milestone anniversary, reportedly “destroyed his fragile ego,” fueling long-simmering jealousy and rage.
Family members of the Tepes have echoed this sentiment, noting Monique had been “terrified” of McKee during their marriage and described him as controlling. She allegedly confided that he threatened her life “many times” years earlier, though no formal stalking or threat reports were filed with police prior to the murders. In her wedding vows to Spencer, Monique alluded to “wrong relationships” and a “waterfall of tears,” words now interpreted by some as references to her past with McKee.
McKee, a high-achieving Ohio State University graduate and vascular surgeon licensed in multiple states, was arrested on January 10, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois, where he worked at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. A Franklin County grand jury later indicted him on four counts of aggravated murder (with firearm specifications including use of an automatic weapon or silencer) and one count of aggravated burglary. He has invoked his Fifth Amendment rights and is expected to plead not guilty upon extradition to Ohio.
Here are representative images of joyful couples celebrating anniversaries, illustrating the kind of happy milestone that allegedly triggered McKee’s obsession:
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dreamstime.com
The Tepe family released a statement calling McKee’s arrest “an important step toward justice,” while emphasizing that nothing can undo the loss. Friends and neighbors expressed shock at the contrast between McKee’s professional facade and the alleged darkness beneath. One neighbor described casual poolside chats with him as “shocking” in hindsight.
As the case progresses, with McKee yet to be extradited as of mid-January 2026, this friend’s disclosure highlights the dangers of unchecked obsession and coercive control in domestic violence scenarios. Experts note patterns of “slow-motion stalking” and emotional abuse often precede escalation to lethal violence. The tragedy leaves a community grieving two vibrant lives—Spencer remembered as generous and kind-hearted, Monique as a beautiful soul—while their children face a future forever altered.
