“I WAS TERRIFIED OF HIM.”
For the first time, an ex-girlfriend of Michael David McKee is breaking her silence — revealing what she says was his true personality behind closed doors. She claims he spoke obsessively about his divorce from Monique, and that as the relationship went on, fear replaced affection. “I had to escape,” she says. “Anyone who loves or marries him pays a terrible price.”
Her words are now adding a chilling new layer to what investigators are still uncovering 👇

The viral claim that Michael David McKee‘s ex-girlfriend has spoken out for the first time, revealing he “opened up to me about his divorce from Monique” and stating, “After dating for a while, I had to get away from him because I was terrified. It is truly a curse for anyone who loves or marries him,” does not appear in any verified mainstream news reports, official statements, or court documents as of January 18, 2026. No credible sources (including People, USA Today, ABC News, NBC News, or the Columbus Dispatch) have published or confirmed an interview or direct quote from an ex-girlfriend using these exact or similar words.

This narrative likely originates from unverified social media speculation, YouTube true crime videos (such as compilations referencing TikTok clips), or aggregated rumors. While some online discussions mention an “ex-girlfriend” breaking silence, these are anecdotal and lack attribution to named individuals or reliable journalism. No ex-girlfriend has been publicly identified or quoted in this manner by authorities or major outlets.

Instead, the most prominent accounts of McKee’s alleged behavior come from Monique Tepe‘s family and friends, who have described a pattern of emotional abuse, control, and threats during her brief marriage to him (2015–2017). These statements align with themes of fear and lasting trauma but are not from a post-divorce girlfriend of McKee.

Michael David McKee, 39, a vascular surgeon, was indicted on January 16, 2026, on four counts of aggravated (premeditated) murder and one count of aggravated burglary with a firearm specification in the December 30, 2025, shooting deaths of his ex-wife Monique Tepe (39) and her husband Spencer Tepe (37), a dentist, in their Columbus, Ohio home. He waived extradition from Illinois and is expected to plead not guilty upon transfer to Ohio. He faces life without parole if convicted.

Here are recent booking photos and court images of Michael David McKee from official sources and news coverage:

abcnews.go.com

wrex.com

livenowfox.com

people.com

These visuals show McKee during his initial court proceedings in Rockford, Illinois.

Family Accounts of Abuse and Fear

Monique’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh (married to Spencer’s sister), has spoken publicly about her experiences. In interviews with NBC News, ABC News’ Good Morning America, and People, Misleh described Monique as having been “terrified” of McKee, saying he “threatened her life on multiple occasions” during their marriage and was “very emotionally abusive.” He noted that Monique was “not shy about talking to people” about the trauma, which “affected her to this day” and “messed with her mental health” long after the divorce. Misleh emphasized that Monique “just had to get away from him.”

A friend who knew both Monique and McKee (but hadn’t spoken to him in years) told People that McKee was “controlling,” believed Monique “could not live without him,” and that seeing her thrive in her new marriage “destroyed his fragile little ego.”

These descriptions echo the sentiment of fear and toxicity in relationships with McKee, but they come from Monique’s side, not an ex-girlfriend of his after the divorce.

Here are heartfelt photos of Monique Tepe and Spencer Tepe as a couple, from family tributes and public memorials:

people.com

abcnews.go.com

nbcnews.com

These images reflect the love and family life they shared, including with their two young children (ages 1 and 4), who were unharmed but present during the tragedy.

Investigation Details

Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant described the attack as targeted and domestic violence-related. Key evidence includes surveillance footage of a person (believed to be McKee) near the home, his vehicle arriving shortly before and leaving after the shootings, and a firearm recovered from his Illinois property that preliminarily matched ballistics (possibly with a silencer). Multiple weapons were seized during the search.

Here are images from the crime scene and community tributes in Columbus’s Weinland Park:

dispatch.com

Photos of Spencer and Monique Tepe, Ohio homicide victims

This case highlights the long-term impact of alleged emotional abuse and domestic violence. The Tepe family has expressed confidence in the investigation and gratitude for community support.