THE UNTOLD STORY: The Terrifying Ordeal of Dr. Michael David McKee’s Ex-Wife Monique Tepe – Emotional Abuse, Alleged Threats, and Lingering Fear

Behind the facade of a brilliant vascular surgeon lay a marriage marked by profound fear and control. Monique Tepe (née Sabaturski), who was tragically killed alongside her husband Spencer Tepe in their Columbus home on December 30, 2025, endured what family members describe as an emotionally abusive and terrifying relationship during her brief union with Dr. Michael David McKee. Married in August 2015, the couple separated quickly, with Monique filing for divorce in May 2017 on grounds of “incompatibility”—a union that lasted less than two years, with some accounts noting they lived apart for much of it.

Here are images of Dr. Michael David McKee from court appearances and his booking photo, highlighting the man now accused of the double murder:

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Family and friends reveal that Monique often felt compelled to “flee” or escape the home environment during the marriage, particularly when McKee was at work or away. Spencer Tepe’s brother-in-law, Rob Misleh, shared in interviews that Monique was “willing to do anything to get out of there,” describing her as a “very strong person” who endured significant emotional abuse. She reportedly confided that McKee threatened her life “many times” during their time together, leaving lasting scars on her mental health. Misleh emphasized that even years later, Monique would speak about how McKee “messed with her mental health” and how terrified she remained of him.

Experts in domestic violence, including criminologist Laura Richards, have described the pattern as “slow-motion stalking” and “coercive control”—a drip-feed of psychological manipulation that often precedes escalation. While no formal police reports of stalking or threats were filed by the Tepes prior to the murders, family members insist Monique lived with ongoing fear, even after remarrying Spencer in December 2020 and building a happy life with their two young children.

These poignant photos of Monique Tepe and Spencer Tepe capture the joy and love they shared in their second chance at happiness, a stark contrast to her past:

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A close friend of the couple alleged that McKee kept tabs on Monique through mutual connections and public profiles, inquiring about her life and well-being long after the divorce. Seeing her thrive—remarried, with children, and celebrating milestones—reportedly “destroyed his fragile little ego,” as he believed she “could not live without him.” This obsession, fueled by jealousy, is cited by some as a potential motive for the targeted, domestic violence-related attack police described.

Symbolic images of dark, shadowy alleys at night evoke the eerie sense of surveillance and lurking danger that may have shadowed Monique’s life:

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The marriage’s brevity and intensity raise questions about McKee’s mental state, with legal analysts speculating that his defense may explore any history of mental health issues. However, no public records confirm a diagnosed “terrifying illness” beyond the alleged coercive and abusive behavior. Monique’s wedding vows to Spencer alluded to past “wrong relationships” and a “waterfall of tears,” words now seen as reflections of her escape from McKee.

McKee, a high-achieving Ohio State University graduate with licenses in Illinois and California, was arrested in Rockford, Illinois, on January 10, 2026. He faces multiple counts of aggravated murder, with ballistic evidence linking a firearm from his possession to the scene. As extradition proceeds and the case unfolds, the “untold story” highlights the hidden toll of emotional abuse and the long shadows it can cast—even years after a victim rebuilds her life.

The tragedy leaves two young children without parents and a community mourning a couple remembered for their kindness and love. Monique’s courage in leaving, and her family’s resolve for justice, underscore the importance of recognizing coercive control as a serious threat.