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

[Twick]

Why would the ex not take the opportunity to carry this out against Monique when Spencer was at work? Why both?

Are you asking why a murderer of a woman wouldn’t have some compassion on a man?

 

[indicolite22]

It will be interesting to learn if he made any prior trips to their house or if he was just stalking them virtually. It appears that the murder was committed during a single trip from Chicago, not as part of his visit to his family in the Columbus area.

 

[Kemug]

No wonder the children and other family were being guarded - who knows what this guy could have done?

 

[Ghostwheel]

True but I’d be a little surprised if it wasn’t. I personally don’t think I’ve ever heard of people having a sign in their yard to just fake having security. Not saying it can’t or doesn’t happen but not sure how common that is (maybe it is and I just don’t know). Forgetting to arm it every night I can see though.

moo

I thought I'd speak to this. I purchased a house with a sign (and probably an inactive alarm system). I couldn't afford to activate said alarm system at the time. So I had a sign and no active system. I can't speak to their house, but it does happen that a previous owner may have had a system and the current owner does not and the sign is still there. Mine wasn't removed by the company for 7 years.

Anecdotal, to be sure.

 

[Charlot123]

People around Monique and Spencer who suspected the ex must have known her troubled history with him, but we didn't. No news outlets mentioned it.

The friends posted it on day one. Then, two or three days later, a YouTuber named him. However, the name is so surprisingly generic, that lots of information about different people living in different cities got stuck to it. The YouTuber, too, managed to make many mistakes, so I decided not to follow that line because it was harmful to many people with similar first and last names. Thinking that the alibi of the ex the police would be able to check.

I suspect that the news outlets did not mention it intentionally.

Anyhow, I hope that everything will be cleared by the police and we'll get full information from them.

 

[MesquiteO21]

This is a gruesome thought to me, but imo perhaps he was able to place a minimum number of shots due to his professional knowledge. Also, imo he would not have been as distressed or surprised by the aftermath as a layman might be, and could have examined them immediately afterward to make sure he had been successful.

It has always been interesting that M was shot once and S twice. I think most can agree that means S dying was definitely the intention.

With her it seems a little more complicated. Someone here astutely wondered if her being hit in the chest —where the heart is — was symbolic and now that we know who the (alleged) killer is, that absolutely would make sense. Did he want to hit her just once, to make his point loud and clear? And if she survived, well, that would be the ultimate revenge — she’d never be the same from the trauma and heartbreak (like when people kill their children as the ultimate “punishment” to an ex partner.) Or was her death intended as well but only shot once so it would be a slow death? Or did he intend to shoot her more but after the first one he couldn’t bring himself to do it, feeling some shred of humanity for someone he still “loved”?

I don’t know….honestly I feel gross now trying to get in the mind of a very messed up, awful person. RIP Mo and Spencer

moo

 

[MassGuy]

I thought I'd speak to this. I purchased a house with a sign (and probably an inactive alarm system). I couldn't afford to activate said alarm system at the time. So I had a sign and no active system. I can't speak to their house, but it does happen that a previous owner may have had a system and the current owner does not and the sign is still there. Mine wasn't removed by the company for 7 years.

Anecdotal, to be sure.

They were the first owners though, as far as I know. What bugs the hell out of me is how he deactivated it, or how he knew it wasn't activated in the first place. Even if he got creative with his entry, he shouldn't have known that certain areas weren't alarmed. I just don't get it.

 

[MesquiteO21]

No wonder the children and other family were being guarded - who knows what this guy could have done?

Also why, as I had mentioned, the BIL seemed to not want to focus on talking about the killer. I’m sure they knew he was a suspect (whether thinking that on their own or having been told directly that he was) and the dude is scary, who knows what else he’d be inspired to do. I’d want to stay mum too.

moo

 

[Charlot123]

Thinking of the families of Monique and Spencer, their friends and of course, their children.

It is a tragedy for all of them. Wishing them patience and presence of mind to go through celebrations of life. They are also facing the trial and it is horrible.

Monique and Spencer were very much loved, it seems. I hope that what they generously gave to people and communities, the people and the communities will give to their children.

Last observation - the area of Weiland Park seems to be mixed, and we were concerned that it could have played a negative role. It seems that the opposite factor may be at play as well.

Sometimes there may be more cameras in such areas or, as we now see here, the neighbors tend to be mindful and protective of the neighbors. Too sad that the tragedy still happened.

 

[Fromeaster]

Most people were right that it was an ex, just logical thinking. What's more strange to me is that people blamed Bill, which to me is completely illogical. This time the answer was obvious and simple, so it didn't take long to arrest him, he was the first suspect and bingo. Why he didn't do anything to the kids seems simple to me, because his anger is directed at the couple, not the kids.

 

[Kemug]

I am rather confused about Monique buying the engagement and wedding rings. My first reaction to someone doing this would be that the lady was incredibly keen to get married. (Umpteen years ago I knew a young lady who ordered a catalogue of engagement rings to show her boyfriend - it worked!) But I can't see Monique doing that, I think it must just been that at the time she could afford it and he couldn't.

 

[getthefax]

They were the first owners though, as far as I know. What bugs the hell out of me is how he deactivated it, or how he knew it wasn't activated in the first place. Even if he got creative with his entry, he shouldn't have known that certain areas weren't alarmed. I just don't get it.

Maybe the alarm wasn’t set, or maybe e the code was an easily guessed birthdate (MT’s month and day?)

FWIW, some passwords are SO easy to guess. Look at the Louvre heist last year— it was “Louvre.”

We forget the protect us from criminal elements who would do us harm.

 

[Charlot123]

Did anyone notice in the Obit, it says Spencer and Monique were married on 12/13/20?

Spencer and Monique met online and quickly grew their relationship into a solid foundation of love and respect with a side of goofiness. They were married on December 13, 2020 in a private family ceremony.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/columbus-oh/spencer-and-monique-tepe-12689273

It's a beautifully written tribute to them and I love they didn't the obits separately, but as a couple.

I think 2020 makes more sense, but hopefully, we'll get a better idea from the documents.

 

[Charlot123]

It has always been interesting that M was shot once and S twice. I think most can agree that means S dying was definitely the intention.

With her it seems a little more complicated. Someone here astutely wondered if her being hit in the chest —where the heart is — was symbolic and now that we know who the (alleged) killer is, that absolutely would make sense. Did he want to hit her just once, to make his point loud and clear? And if she survived, well, that would be the ultimate revenge — she’d never be the same from the trauma and heartbreak (like when people kill their children as the ultimate “punishment” to an ex partner.) Or was her death intended as well but only shot once so it would be a slow death? Or did he intend to shoot her more but after the first one he couldn’t bring himself to do it, feeling some shred of humanity for someone he still “loved”?

I don’t know….honestly I feel gross now trying to get in the mind of a very messed up, awful person. RIP Mo and Spencer

moo

I wonder if after the divorce, Michael D McKee had a plan - to to through the residency, to get the prestigious specialization in vascular surgery and to lay it at Monique's feet. Like "you left a poor resident, what would you say to an affluent doctor?" God knows what he imagined next, remarry her, or "throw the glove right into the lady's face", but something dramatic.

But in reality, Monique didn't wait. She remarried in several years, to an attractive young dentist, from a good family and very much liked by the community, who was social and elegant. (The ex- and Spencer have a comparable built and similar hair color, btw, only Spencer looks younger. I wonder if it played a minor role, too).

But the main thing, Monique and Spencer are incredibly happy together! All McKee's long work, diplomas, future perspective, salary, are not needed by her. She totally moved on!

So he killed Spencer to punish the man who "stole" Monique from him and as to Monique, it was, "if I can't have this toy, let me break it".

He probably thought what he felt to Monique was love. In reality, it is neither love nor obsession.

It it is chattel ownership, this is what McKee felt.

 

[indicolite22]

I am rather confused about Monique buying the engagement and wedding rings. My first reaction to someone doing this would be that the lady was incredibly keen to get married. (Umpteen years ago I knew a young lady who ordered a catalogue of engagement rings to show her boyfriend - it worked!) But I can't see Monique doing that, I think it must just been that at the time she could afford it and he couldn't.

Yes. He finished medical school and was about to move to another state for his residency. If he stayed in the same area, who knows if they would get married at that point in 2015. But they were also engaged since 2013, which was likely early in their relationship. I wonder if she had her doubts earlier.

 

[indicolite22]

I wonder if after the divorce, Michael D McKee had a plan - to to through the residency, to get the prestigious specialization in vascular surgery and to lay it at Monique's feet. Like "you left a poor resident, what would you say to an affluent doctor?" God knows what he imagined next, remarry her, or "throw the glove right into the lady's face", but something dramatic.

But in reality, Monique didn't wait. She remarried in several years, to an attractive young dentist, from a good family and very much liked by the community, who was social and elegant. (The ex- and Spencer have a comparable built and similar hair color, btw, only Spencer looks younger. I wonder if it played a minor role, too).

But the main thing, Monique and Spencer are incredibly happy together! All McKee's long work, diplomas, future perspective, salary, are not needed by her. She totally moved on!

So he killed Spencer to punish the man who "stole" Monique from him and as to Monique, it was, "if I can't have this toy, let me break it".

He probably thought what he felt to Monique was love. In reality, it is neither love nor obsession.

It it is chattel ownership, this is what McKee felt.

Spencer didn't "steal" her. She didn't leave Michael for him or someone else. She just didn't want to be unhappy with Michael. He doesn't understand that she isn't his property.

 

[Charlot123]

Spencer didn't "steal" her. She didn't leave Michael for him or someone else. She just didn't want to be unhappy with Michael. He doesn't understand that she isn't his property.

Oh, that I know. And I suspect that McKee was never an easy person lo live with, on many levels. Maybe Monique, with her social skills, could have helped his career, but if i am allowed to guess, some of his personal traits were nasty.

But he totally didn't get it that she was not his property and even as the wife, she had full autonomy.

 

[Kemug]

It was not only a dreadful crime, killing (executing?) them like that. But it seems that leading up to it he may have let them know that he was a threat, watching them, making them feel nervous and worried. I'm sure he enjoyed making them scared and uptight in̈ the last few months of a really happy marriage.

 

[TIGER0822]

I am rather confused about Monique buying the engagement and wedding rings. My first reaction to someone doing this would be that the lady was incredibly keen to get married. (Umpteen years ago I knew a young lady who ordered a catalogue of engagement rings to show her boyfriend - it worked!) But I can't see Monique doing that, I think it must just been that at the time she could afford it and he couldn't.

She seemed to go for Doctors

 

[stmarysmead]

I dont think a restraining order alone would impact his license. In the end, they are relatively easy to obtain and have the natural counter of: Evil ex told judge a lot of exaggerated stories. Yes, or course, I am complying with its terms.

Rather, he might of been impacting his license to practice. My guess is that the most successful doctors own and manage first rate practices. This could involve business skills and personality skills that some doctors just don't have.

My guess is that some Doctors who lack the personality and business skills to operate a successful practice may face a lot of challenges.

They can work at hospitals or practice groups, but problematic personalities can get them fired the same way they do for anybody else. Most are not renown enough to attract steady patients willing to put up with them despite their personalities (Certified mega jerk, but he is the doc' in Chicago for pulmonary diseases. Literally wrote the book. Maybe one day, he"ll choke on it- but... not before he treats me).

So, lacking the business skills and renown, these doc's may drift to employer to employer while racking up bills from badly managed practices? Resentment then builds...... .

Vascular surgery requires a fellowship beyond general surgery, That used to be a 5plus 1 deal but now there are some 5 year combined tracks. I’m not sure what Carilion offers.

Very few Drs own their own practices right out of fellowship these days. More commonly, they join group practices that have a path to being a ‘partner’ or co-owner in time. It would seem like the accused graduated Med School in 2017…that would put him in his first real job in 2022. He would not be carrying any ownership financial responsibility….and since he appears to have changed jobs,would not yet be a ‘partner.’

Also, most vulnerable specialties have employer malpractice to the hilt.

Changing jobs is not necessarily a negative in any way. Certain specialities are in high demand and sort of like football today, if you have a prestigious resume or are in a field with more jobs than docs… you will still be ‘pursued’ in those cases.

IMO. therefore, there is no sign of any professional breakdown…yet. I don’t see him as ‘down and out.’ So, I’m curious about another trigger. He doesn’t seem to have tried to get a job near Columbus if obsessed with her…and there are many in his specialty. So what was the trigger?

As far as the divorce, at the end of MedSchool, you enter The Match. You hope to match with one of the residencies in yr specialty that you want…but you both must pick each other. If you don’t match, at the conclusion, you move on to what is still open. I wonder if she wanted to stay in Columbus, but he didn’t match. Or he did match where HE wanted to go in Va…but that meant leaving her family, her job, and the city she loved?

So he goes to Va and that’s the end of a long romance and marriage. Three years later, she finds a new husband who will drive 1 1/2 hrs to let her live in the city she loves. He does not try to locate where he can stalk her, or try to win her back. So what set him off after 8 long years?

When was the wedding video put online…before or after the murders?