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

[Inthedetails]

Her resume is very strong. I hope Franklin Co brings out its A team for this trial.

I think they could send the benchwarmers and get a conviction on this case, tbh.

jmopinion

 

[Cassie P]

I think they could send the benchwarmers and get a conviction on this case, tbh.

jmopinion

I hope you are right. But it is too early for complacency, or to underestimate the killer.

 

[Inthedetails]

I hope you are right. But it is too early for complacency, or to underestimate the killer.

Nah, I'm ready to underestimate the killer.

My opinion.

 

[Aquabot13]

Steroid abuse caan cause: Manic behavior, major depression, aggressive behavior, sometimes paranoia and psychosis.

Yes! I was on steroids briefly after brain surgery (so a prescribed reasonable dose) and it's so scary how out of control my moods were. I was SO MAD for no reason. And I'm a person who very rarely gets mad or upset.

They also kept me up at night and made me spend money like a fiend. I was up at 2am mad as hell ordering $600 worth of junk from Amazon.

All of those symptoms went away once I stopped the steroids. I hope I never have to be on them again.

I know we don't know if MM was on steroids. If he was, though, his anger doesn't shock me. This could have been a perfect storm of a personality disorder and uncontrolled rage.

MOO

 

[Little Jack]

Yes! I was on steroids briefly after brain surgery (so a prescribed reasonable dose) and it's so scary how out of control my moods were. I was SO MAD for no reason. And I'm a person who very rarely gets mad or upset.

They also kept me up at night and made me spend money like a fiend. I was up at 2am mad as hell ordering $600 worth of junk from Amazon.

All of those symptoms went away once I stopped the steroids. I hope I never have to be on them again.

I know we don't know if MM was on steroids. If he was, though, his anger doesn't shock me. This could have been a perfect storm of a personality disorder and uncontrolled rage.

MOO

Those were not anabolic steroids however, which i think is what people are discussing.

Im hope you are fully recovered !!!! Brain surgery is no joke.

 

[Knox]

I might get some pushback from people here, but he deliberately not killing the kids to me still screams of his rage at 2 people for destroying his happiness. The children might have actually been considered "innocents" in his distorted mind.

A murderer with morals?

 

[maamager]

Michael McKee has hired Columbus-based Criminal Defense Attorney Diane Menashe. McKee is slated to make his first Ohio court appearance on Friday. He's accused of the murders of Spencer and Monique Tepe. McKee is Monique's ex-husband.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2014400037325783521

yeaaah Diane Menashe is a powerhouse of a defense attorney. she represented Matheau Moore in the Emily Noble suicide/murder trial and got a not guilty verdict

 

[Charlot123]

@Aquabot13

Wishing you to get better and better!

Regarding steroids:

I think we are not discussing corticosteroids here. These substances work at the levels of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors, and we can’t live if our body stops producing them. They are prescribed in exogenous treatment for many conditions. Exogenous steroids (or produced endogenously in high amounts) can cause mania/depression. Unless MDM had the condition necessitating chronic corticosteroid therapy, I doubt that is the case. If MDM suffered from a condition like Addison’s disease, needing corticosteroid treatment, one might feel very sorry for him, but I doubt that he’d be able to drive for long hours after many hours of surgery.

So. likely, not these:

Corticosteroid - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

But some people wonder if MDM could be using these:

- anabolic steroids, the medications similar to testosterone. They act at the level of androgen receptors.

Anabolic steroid - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Anabolic steroids are used in the context of bodybuilding, but not only. Testosterone injections are used in cases of low testosterone. They may initially increase libido as well as give energy after “male menopause”.

Anabolic steroids are either bought (illegally but easily) in the context of the gyms or, legally prescribed for certain age groups to increase testosterone level in specialized clinics.

The problem is, in small amounts they are helpful, but the principle “all in moderation” doesn’t always apply to their users. Anger, irritability, physical changes, ‘roid rage’, insomnia, mood swings, manic symptoms and occasionally, strange, hard to describe behavior are typical. In hindsight, one can understand that the behavior is due to steroids, but not immediately. They are very popular, they are almost “in” but sadly, not all prescribers monitor everything that needs to be monitored. They can cause prostate cancer, too.

 

[ttjo]

There was a case around here of a well known wrestler who murdered his family, He lived in Georgia when he killed them but he was Canadian and was trained by Stu Hart. Some people say steroids caused it, some say brain injury and some say a combination of steroids, brain injury and prescription drugs. Lots of drugs cause rages (when coming down) which is why many people mix, to avoid a bad crash.


IDK if MM was taking anything, It’s possible I guess. But then I wonder if he was on anything that would cause him to rage enough to murder 2 people after 8 years of being apart, How on earth was he able to function at work and even do a couple surgeries in the days before ? How ??
** On STS tonight, it was mentioned he had performed surgeries, thats my only source.

IDK what his lawyer is going to to come up with for a defence but its going to get interesting,

<modsnip>

 

[Cassie P]

And if he had any abandonment issues, how in hell's name, did he justify to himself killing their parents? Orphaned...

Blinded by selfish rage -- except that IMO he saw clearly what he was doing and didn't care.

JMO

People can act out their issues either consciously or unconsciously.

 

[BrownRice]

This case somewhat takes me back to Betty Broderick late 80s or early 90s who killed her ex spouse and his new wife. Betty hated the fact that Dan moved on, remarried, and was happy. She literally could not move forward with her life and was obsessed with hatred and jealousy. I feel that to this day, she’d rather still be in prison knowing that Dan and Linda are no longer together.

It appears that MM harbored some type of ill will towards Monique (anger, jealousy, hatred) for almost a decade and the consequences of double murder were worth it vs the thought of her living happily as a wife and mother

 

[Cassie P]

Nah, I'm ready to underestimate the killer.

My opinion.

We have a smart, educated killer with resources. If he was doing drugs, they are clearing out of his system now. At any rate, facing the death penalty or life in prison is said to focus the mind quickly.

And we have a young, well trained and very ambitious high profile attorney.

I am not taking anything for granted in this case.

 

[Inthedetails]

This case somewhat takes me back to Betty Broderick late 80s or early 90s who killed her ex spouse and his new wife. Betty hated the fact that Dan moved on, remarried, and was happy. She literally could not move forward with her life and was obsessed with hatred and jealousy. I feel that to this day, she’d rather still be in prison knowing that Dan and Linda are no longer together.

It appears that MM harbored some type of ill will towards Monique (anger, jealousy, hatred) for almost a decade and the consequences of double murder were worth it vs the thought of her living happily as a wife and mother

I think he does have similiarites to Broderick.

Plus, in this case, by putting himself in the prison system for the rest of his life, he sort of made himself an infant that needs to be cared for, and he "fixed" abandonment issues because the state is forced to keep him until he dies.

jmo

 

[waldojabba]

I might get some pushback from people here, but he deliberately not killing the kids to me still screams of his rage at 2 people for destroying his happiness. The children might have actually been considered "innocents" in his distorted mind.

I think it is definitely a possibility. Distorted mind is the key. Some killers seem to have their own "moral" code.

He felt justified in killing those who had wronged him. Monique had broken her vows - he thought marriage was for life. I think Spencer was just perhaps collateral/necessary damage and part of the package of makng Monique suffer and die. Her ex wanted to obliterate her.

He very well could have considered the children as innocents. He obvi did not think through the profound effect the killing of their parents would have on them if that's the case.

Or subconsciously did he want to leave them as he was - without his biological parents ? Hard to say.

I don't imagine he will ever talk. I would defintely like to know a lot more about at what age he was adopted/ the circumstances etc as well as his upbringing. The guy seemed to seek perfection.

In marrying Monique he was going to finally create the perfect family he may never have had - and she blew
it all up.

One thng for sure imo, he is a very damaged and deranged individual who will soon be behind bars for life.

Hopefully LE followed the letter of the law in collecting evidence etc - that's what the lawyer will chip away at.

Besides any potential missteps by LE , you cannot argue with the evidence. Seems slam dunk to me

JMO

 

[ttjo]

This case somewhat takes me back to Betty Broderick late 80s or early 90s who killed her ex spouse and his new wife. Betty hated the fact that Dan moved on, remarried, and was happy. She literally could not move forward with her life and was obsessed with hatred and jealousy.

I understand the comparison to BB and her inability to move on, but there is a missing piece in this case that we are yet to learn. What was the catalyst?
In BB case It wasn't just jealousy, she also felt a huge sense of unfairness that was fueled by constant interaction and power struggles in court (and another woman)
Some psychologists say fairness is a basic human need, but you can satisfy hunger by eating, you can eliminate fear with safety.
I get BB story and what may have pushed her over the edge, not agreeing , just understanding.
I dont know what happened with MM and Monique, if anything , or was it build up of many things, feeling alone, getting sued for malpractice, was it watchiung her nd thinking , thats where I should be, happy and with kids? But because of “ what she did to me” I cant move on ?
So hard to make sense of it.

 

[Inthedetails]

I understand the comparison to BB and her inability to move on, but there is a missing piece in this case that we are yet to learn. What was the catalyst?

Snipped

Catalyst was a slow burn to destroying his own life by destroying Monique's life (and make a permanent injury to those who loved her). The slow burn combusted.

At this point, I don't think it was a trigger that prompted him, but a desire to destroy.

jmopinion

 

[bestill]

Will todays hearing be televised and if so does anyone have a link?

 

[sunspun]

I think it is definitely a possibility. Distorted mind is the key. Some killers seem to have their own "moral" code.

He felt justified in killing those who had wronged him. Monique had broken her vows - he thought marriage was for life. I think Spencer was just perhaps collateral/necessary damage and part of the package of makng Monique suffer and die. Her ex wanted to obliterate her.

He very well could have considered the children as innocents. He obvi did not think through the profound effect the killing of their parents would have on them if that's the case.

Or subconsciously did he want to leave them as he was - without his biological parents ? Hard to say.

I don't imagine he will ever talk. I would defintely like to know a lot more about at what age he was adopted/ the circumstances etc as well as his upbringing. The guy seemed to seek perfection.

In marrying Monique he was going to finally create the perfect family he may never have had - and she blew
it all up.

One thng for sure imo, he is a very damaged and deranged individual who will soon be behind bars for life.

Hopefully LE followed the letter of the law in collecting evidence etc - that's what the lawyer will chip away at.

Besides any potential missteps by LE , you cannot argue with the evidence. Seems slam dunk to me

JMO

I would say it's more likely the truth that HE was the one who "blew it all up", because I kind of doubt Monique divorced him for no reason or for any trivial reasons. I suspect he turned out to be not just a less than ideal husband to her, but more of an impossible to live with and cruel husband to her. But that's all speculation on my part.

And I know you weren't actually putting the blame on Monique for the failure of their marriage, but saying how he must have seen it, in his distorted, self-centered perception of it.

 

[Megnut]

I would say it's more likely the truth that HE was the one who "blew it all up", because I kind of doubt Monique divorced him for no reason or for any trivial reasons. I suspect he turned out to be not just a less than ideal husband to her, but more of an impossible to live with and cruel husband to her. But that's all speculation on my part.

And I know you weren't actually putting the blame on Monique for the failure of their marriage, but saying how he must have seen it, in his distorted, self-centered perception of it.

He wouldn't be the first potential mate who stacked up beautifully on paper -- and even publicly -- but behind closed doors, was different, confusing, etc. And she wouldn't be the first empath to forgive, give second chances, feel sorry for, want to help, hope for improvement, etc.

That she moved out the way she did suggests this was no normal breakup and speaks volumes. She must have felt it wasn't safe to stay or to leave, in any of the expected ways. And events play that out. HE hasn't even safe, not them, not eight years later.

So unfair that she lived under that latent fear while building her best life and, unbelievably, lost her life to a violent man who, frankly, couldn't get over himself.

I don't know how one would ever be able to protect themselves from that kind of long-lasting rage.

I can't fathom what defense his Defense attorney will mount.

Looks like a defenseless case of sustained hatred to me.

JMO

 

[Cassie P]

I understand the comparison to BB and her inability to move on, but there is a missing piece in this case that we are yet to learn. What was the catalyst?
In BB case It wasn't just jealousy, she also felt a huge sense of unfairness that was fueled by constant interaction and power struggles in court (and another woman)
Some psychologists say fairness is a basic human need, but you can satisfy hunger by eating, you can eliminate fear with safety.
I get BB story and what may have pushed her over the edge, not agreeing , just understanding.
I dont know what happened with MM and Monique, if anything , or was it build up of many things, feeling alone, getting sued for malpractice, was it watchiung her nd thinking , thats where I should be, happy and with kids? But because of “ what she did to me” I cant move on ?
So hard to make sense of it.

Generally when someone goes totally off the rails in a brutal criminal way like MM, we are looking at more than one factor in play.

Just speculating here, but perhaps we are looking at early childhood issues. Then personality disorder with aggressive behavior. And as time goes by, a failed marriage, then numerous career setbacks causing limits on his earning potential and employment opportunities. He notices his peer group doing well career wise and financially, with spouse and children.

Then add possible drug abuse and we can see it all heading in a very bad direction. Sometimes people in this situation need a punching bag, an outlet. And they pick the most obvious target for real and imagined grievances.