OH - Spencer and Monique Tepe found shot to death at home 2 children unharmed, Columbus, 30 December 2025 *ex-husband arrested*

[kwins]

yes, you're correct. Seems he bought a home in 2022 in Las Vegas and was practicing there, possibly until sometime in 2025. His Nevada license expired June 2025 and wasn't renewed. Sounds like there were at least 2 malpractice suits against him (which, after reading them, he was not at direct fault for either case but was a supervising surgeon or overseeing provider in some way for both cases). They were unable to serve him for the case as recently as October 2025 when he gave a false address and phone number. His colleague, also implicated in the malpractice suit, told the process serve MM just "disappeared". One of the cases is supposed to go to trial July 2027.

This sounds like an incompetent attorney and process server. Seriously, he's a practicing vascular surgeon licensed in two different states, and recently purchased a condo in Chicago. A Google search shows the hospital where he is currently practicing. He was not hiding.

 

[ElizaKate]

When something this horrific happens, it’s completely human to lead with emotion. But I think it’s worth pausing before denouncing everything about the accused as if we know the full picture when we don't.

MM spent significant time, money, and personal sacrifice pursuing a career centered on helping others. Maybe that was driven by ego or darker motivations—but maybe it wasn’t. We simply don’t know.

There aren't that many people in this world that are through and through evil so the criminal psychology behind it all is of interest to me too.

Plus you know, the presumption of innocence still matters. So am I ready to cry DP when we have so few facts and information? No.

 

[kwins]

He's presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, that's true.

But we are not the jury. It's not up to us to deliberate on his guilt. We are free to discuss.

jmopinion

Everyone is free to discuss. I just think it's not emotionally intelligent to demonize someone who has been accused of a crime before the evidence is presented and guilt is established in a court of law. It's probably not the best thing to do even after the proof of guilt. There have been plenty of people who have been accused, convicted, and executed for crimes they did not commit.

The presumption of innocence actually is there to protect the individual from punishment or social sanction before guilt is established in a court of law.

 

[squareandrabbet]

I joined Websleuths because I want to understand what happened, and why, and whether - or how - this madness could have been prevented. I am thankful for all of your contributions, particularly those that share their specialized knowledge, and/or do such incredible research! I want to know more facts about this apparent killer, these beautiful victims, and what might have led to this horror. All of your perspectives and suppositions are appreciated, but I am left still having more questions than answers in this case.

And I know this won't be popular, but I am wanting to understand more - particularly about MM - without completely demonizing him yet. I have seen so many people who experience severe mental health issues who stabilize and are devastated - truly devastated - by what they have done. Yes, I believe some physicians who survive their residency and fellowship embrace a god complex. Its gruelling, and afterward, their clique may be unhealthy. Yes, I believe an abusive partner can effectively conceal their abuse until they can't. Yes, I believe only a monster can commit such brutal murders with a cold, jealous heart. Yes, I am so sorry for the babies and love ones left behind.

But I'm not yet ready to say Monique fled an abusive relationship with MM, nor that MM is a narcissist with severe abandonment issues. I just don't know. The facts (and rumors) seem to support both concepts but both may be fundamentally incorrect. I just want to know more and to understand how this could occur, and how it could be prevented in the future.

Thank you all again for your valued thoughts - please know that I (as others) read every entry and appreciate everything you write!

I'm certainly not taking the BIL's (?) automatic detail-free word for it that MM is a monster just because BIL said it, but I'll happily hear the concrete examples if he or others want to air them.

 

[Inthedetails]

Everyone is free to discuss. I just think it's not emotionally intelligent to demonize someone who has been accused of a crime before the evidence is presented and guilt is established in a court of law. It's probably not the best thing to do even after the proof of guilt. There have been plenty of people who have been accused, convicted, and executed for crimes they did not commit.

The presumption of innocence actually is there to protect the individual from punishment or social sanction before guilt is established in a court of law.

I hear ya, but keep in mind this is a crime discussion board. To expect participants here not to discuss the defendant who is accused of committing the crime is going to be a frustrating endeavor, imo.

jmopinion

edited to correct vocabulary

 

[LAborn]

I joined Websleuths because I want to understand what happened, and why, and whether - or how - this madness could have been prevented. I am thankful for all of your contributions, particularly those that share their specialized knowledge, and/or do such incredible research! I want to know more facts about this apparent killer, these beautiful victims, and what might have led to this horror. All of your perspectives and suppositions are appreciated, but I am left still having more questions than answers in this case.

And I know this won't be popular, but I am wanting to understand more - particularly about MM - without completely demonizing him yet. I have seen so many people who experience severe mental health issues who stabilize and are devastated - truly devastated - by what they have done. Yes, I believe some physicians who survive their residency and fellowship embrace a god complex. Its gruelling, and afterward, their clique may be unhealthy. Yes, I believe an abusive partner can effectively conceal their abuse until they can't. Yes, I believe only a monster can commit such brutal murders with a cold, jealous heart. Yes, I am so sorry for the babies and love ones left behind.

But I'm not yet ready to say Monique fled an abusive relationship with MM, nor that MM is a narcissist with severe abandonment issues. I just don't know. The facts (and rumors) seem to support both concepts but both may be fundamentally incorrect. I just want to know more and to understand how this could occur, and how it could be prevented in the future.

Thank you all again for your valued thoughts - please know that I (as others) read every entry and appreciate everything you write!

And for those who are diagnosed as mentally ill, to label MM mentally ill is premature and in all likelihood not accurate. Please don't assume he suffers from a mental illness because of what he did. There are people that are psychopaths, narcissists, abusers who aren't classified as such. Just pure evil. Frankly, I'm hard pressed to think he could be a successful vascular surgeon if he were mentally ill. From what family members are saying, he's a garden variety domestic abuser, and why she divorced and lived in fear. JMO

 

[nerosleuth]

With MM having no prior record, I’m sure he’s not acquainted with the Franklin County Jail which is known to be one of the roughest jails in the state with the most unpleasant living conditions. I can’t think of a better place for him.

He will be housed at the new Franklin County jail on the west side of Columbus.

The old Franklin County Jail in Downtown Columbus was closed in 2023.

 

[kwins]

I'm certainly not taking the BIL's (?) automatic detail-free word for it that MM is a monster just because BIL said it, but I'll happily hear the concrete examples if he or others want to air them.

This is why these types of statements are considered hearsay and not admissible. The older I get, the more I remind myself that I wasn't there, and even if I was there, the perception of that moment is probably completely wrong. This is why emotional intelligence is so very important. Labeling everyone a monster or a narcissist, not so much.

 

[LAborn]

When something this horrific happens, it’s completely human to lead with emotion. But I think it’s worth pausing before denouncing everything about the accused as if we know the full picture when we don't.

MM spent significant time, money, and personal sacrifice pursuing a career centered on helping others. Maybe that was driven by ego or darker motivations—but maybe it wasn’t. We simply don’t know.

There aren't that many people in this world that are through and through evil so the criminal psychology behind it all is of interest to me too.

Plus you know, the presumption of innocence still matters. So am I ready to cry DP when we have so few facts and information? No.

They arrested him because they have enough evidence to prosecute. I would bet money he did it. He's a grudge collector and domestic abuser. Family members have already said he tried to smother her with a pillow when they were married (and that's the only thing so far that has been made public). He's a monster. Many doctors are in it for humanitarian reasons and others have a God complex. JMO

 

[osu]

CHICAGO (WCMH) — Residents of a Chicago apartment building say local police and Columbus law enforcement have around-the-clock security guarding the apartment of a man accused of killing Spencer and Monique Tepe.

According to a woman who lives in the same building as Dr. Michael McKee, investigators have been in and out of the suspect’s apartment, removing boxes of potential evidence in the murder of the Tepes, who were found shot dead inside their Weiland Park neighborhood home on Dec. 30.

Gera-Lind Kolarik spoke with NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield and said a Columbus police crime lab van was parked in the underground garage, where investigators were storing materials collected out of McKee’s 12th floor apartment.

Video with neighbor at link:

Tepe murder case: Columbus police have presence at suspect’s Chicago apartment

CHICAGO (WCMH) — Residents of a Chicago apartment building say local police and Columbus law enforcement have around-the-clock security guarding the apartment of a man accused of killing Spencer an…

www.nbc4i.com

 

[kwins]

And for those who are diagnosed as mentally ill, to label MM mentally ill is premature and in all likelihood not accurate. Please don't assume he suffers from a mental illness because of what he did. There are people that are psychopaths, narcissists, abusers who aren't classified as such. Just pure evil. Frankly, I'm hard pressed to think he could be a successful vascular surgeon if he were mentally ill. From what family members are saying, he's a garden variety domestic abuser, and why she divorced and lived in fear. JMO

Actually, they are personality disorders, and personality disorders are a category of mental illness. Their mind is certainly not right. Are people born with sociopathy and NPD, or are they made? That is the question, and I lean towards the latter. Are domestic abusers born, or are they made? Again, I lean towards the latter.

I think every single person who follows true crime has this internal dialogue.

 

[academyrd]

I'm certainly not taking the BIL's (?) automatic detail-free word for it that MM is a monster just because BIL said it, but I'll happily hear the concrete examples if he or others want to air them.

How’s this for a concrete example: he snuck into his ex wife’s house in the middle of the night, crept up the stairs and murdered two innocent people while they slept.

 

[LAborn]

Actually, they are personality disorders, and personality disorders are a category of mental illness. Their mind is certainly not right. Are people born with sociopathy and NPD, or are they made? That is the question, and I lean towards the latter. Are domestic abusers born, or are they made? Again, I lean towards the latter.

I think every single person who follows true crime has this internal dialogue.

Frankly it's immaterial if an abuser is born or made. It's not a mental illness. He's been a vascular surgeon for 12 years. Trust me when I say this (being in the biz), if he was untrustworthy, no one would want to work with him, it would come out, he'd be sidelined, ousted in one way or another. So, you're suggesting he's only mentally ill during his personal life? Or is he a man with a thin skin who couldn't allow a woman who left him to be happy and remain alive? Or her new husband? JMO

 

[ivegotcha]

here is a news report out of Las Vegas Nevada regarding the Dr McKee

Doctor accused of murdering ex-wife and Ohio dentist has ties to Las Vegas

Suspect in Ohio couple's murder had 'disappeared' from Las Vegas: court filing

two different news articles regarding this surgeon.
Please delete if not acceptible.

 

[nannymo]

I have a question. I have not read the entire thread but has it been discussed how the co-worker who made the 911 call was able to get into the house to tell the 911 operator he could see Spencer dead beside the bed? When I first listened, I thought he was looking through a window. I later heard the bedrooms were all on the top floor? How did he get in to see Spenser on the floor with blood? Thanks in advance for an answer...

 

[ttjo]

How’s this for a concrete example: he snuck into his ex wife’s house in the middle of the night, crept up the stairs and murdered two innocent people while they slept.

Yup, thats about as concrete as it gets.

 

[LAborn]

Have they? I haven't seen that reported, do you have a link please?

I'm not doubting that they have enough evidence. And I also believe he will be found guilty. That wasn't the point of my post.

MSM is always behind reporting stuff. I've watched a lot of the true crime podcasters on this case, and can't remember which one shared that info, sorry about that. May have been Agnenette Levy. She was also one of the first (and only?) to say MM had the kids and the dog go in a room and lock the door. She thought it was so peculiar to protect the kids, yet kill their parents. Fugitive TV podcast was also one of the first to track down court records on the divorce and the recent court filing in June, which MSM picked up later. Highly recommend, he digs in-depth and finds angles others don't. JMO

 

[kwins]

Frankly it's immaterial if an abuser is born or made. It's not a mental illness. He's been a vascular surgeon for 12 years. Trust me when I say this (being in the biz), if he was untrustworthy, no one would want to work with him, it would come out, he'd be sidelined, ousted in one way or another. So, you're suggesting he's only mentally ill during his personal life? Or is he a man with a thin skin who couldn't allow a woman who left him to be happy and remain alive? Or her new husband? JMO

I wasn't suggesting that at all. I pointed out factually that personality disorders are a category of mental illness. Your argument could also be made about people who exhibit abusive behaviors. I have encountered quite a few abusive physicians in my career, and I have never doubted that their behavior is probably worse at home.

 

[HanniBJeter]

I believe I heard Ashleigh Banfield say that family said he tried to smother her with a pillow. And also that he said he’d kill her if she ever left him.

 

[Mitch1]

Just such a “seemingly” bizarre thing for him to do if he did this-sure looking that way to. I say seemingly because maybe he really did hold a grudge for almost 10 yrs. If ge did that’s really strange considering he had so many ways to move on. He worked at hospitals and clinics-plenty available women there, he could afford therapy and meds if he was having a hard time. Not to mention just being a practicing surgeon should keep your mind plenty busy-what is the saying “idle minds are the devils playground”.

I keep looking for some indicator of something that could have triggered this after so much time passed. Obviously we don’t have much at all since the police are saying next to nothing and no doubt there is much that will come out, wish they would give us something as to a possible motive. Strange we have only heard from this guys neighbor and doubt that’s from a lack of trying from media.