Newly released court documents have revealed disturbing allegations against a surgeon charged with the double murder of his ex-wife and her new husband, including claims he stalked the couple and visited their home weeks before their deaths.
Charges and Arrest Details
Michael McKee, a 39-year-old surgeon, was arrested earlier this month in Columbus, Ohio, on charges of aggravated murder in connection with the deaths of his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, Spencer Tepe, 37, a dentist. He faces four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary in Franklin County. McKee has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
Stalking Allegations Emerge
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Columbus Dispatch, investigators believe McKee was spotted outside his ex-wife's home in Weinland Park, a neighbourhood outside downtown Columbus. Surveillance camera footage allegedly shows McKee near the residence on December 6, approximately three weeks before the Tepes were found fatally shot in their home on December 30.
The couple was away that weekend attending a Big Ten Championship Game in Indiana. Friends who accompanied them later informed law enforcement that Monique left the game early because she was upset about an incident involving McKee. These friends also disclosed that Monique had previously confided in them about alleged abuse by her ex-husband.
Pattern of Alleged Abuse
The affidavit includes harrowing accounts from Monique's friends, who reported that McKee had allegedly strangled and sexually assaulted her. In one instance, a friend told authorities that McKee threatened Monique, stating he could 'kill her at any time,' would always find her, and that 'she will always be his wife.'
Investigators noted that McKee was allegedly driving a silver SUV with a stolen Ohio license plate sticker, which was spotted multiple times near the Tepe residence before the murders. The vehicle's registration was linked to past addresses of McKee and a hospital where he previously worked.
Timeline of Events
Law enforcement believes the couple was killed just before 4am on December 30, with their bodies discovered around six hours later. Monique suffered a gunshot wound to the chest, while Spencer sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Their one-year-old son, four-year-old daughter, and dog were found unharmed in the home.
Police were alerted when Spencer failed to arrive at his dental practice that morning. Dr Mark Valrose, the practice owner, called from his Florida vacation home to request a wellness check. Shortly before 10am, a friend named Alexander Ditty reported hearing children inside the home and what he believed was yelling. Minutes later, Ditty informed dispatchers he saw a body lying next to a bed with blood nearby.
Investigation and Arrest
Detectives ruled out murder-suicide after finding 9mm shell casings at the scene. McKee was arrested in Chicago, Illinois, following a 10-day manhunt, and was later extradited to Ohio. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant stated that McKee had a gun when detained, and multiple weapons were seized from his property, with a preliminary link established to the homicides.
'What we can say, this was a targeted attack. This was a domestic violence-related attack, as we know McKee is the ex-husband of Monique Tepe,' Bryant said at a press conference. 'We believe at this point we have the person responsible for the murders of Monique and Spencer Tepe, and that person is Michael McKee.'
Background and Family Response
McKee and Monique were briefly married in 2015, divorcing the same year. In her divorce complaint, Monique cited incompatibility with her then-husband. Ahead of a memorial service for the couple, a relative told the Daily Mail that McKee's arrest was 'absolutely not a shock' to the family, adding, 'We are all breathing a bit of a sigh of relief, because they got him.'
McKee remains in custody in Franklin County without bond. The Daily Mail has reached out to his representation for comment.
