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

[Speculaytor]

Holy crap! This just gets worse and worse.

From your link:

• According to the affidavit, McKee was seen on video entering Tepe’s property on N. 4th Street on Dec. 6, 2025, and leaving a few hours later when the couple was away. (That's a long drive to be there for a few hours. Did he know they were away? I think he did.
• The affidavit states that McKee’s phone was left at his job in Rockford, Illinois, and showed no activity for approximately 17 hours from Dec. 29 until after noon on Dec. 30.
• The affidavit states that McKee told Monique that “he could kill her at any time and would find her and buy the house right next to her, that she will always be his wife.”

Court docs reveal new details in Tepe murder case; McKee allegedly spotted outside home weeks before killings

Court documents allege that Michael McKee, the ex-husband charged in the deaths of the Tepe couple, was spotted outside their property weeks before the deaths.

www.10tv.com

DBM

 

[Speculaytor]

BBMFF

I don't think for 1 minute that he'd sit in their yard, or porch, or anywhere he could be seen, for ~2 hours. Nope. No way, no how. Whatever he drove there to do he spent those hours doing it. Could it have been putting up hidden cameras? Either in the yard and/or in the garage. He could monitor them that way. Especially if he got at least one camera to point at windows so he could watch the goings on inside when their curtains are open thinking there's no one watching them.

If not putting up hidden cameras... what? Did he enter the house, take a selfie and send it to her? Is that why she left the game to go back to the hotel? Maybe she did that so as not to have Spencer and friends see her bawling her eyes out. Maybe she didn't want to upset everyone where they were having fun.

I just posted same, hadn't seen your post yet. Totally putting up cameras, and audio recording. How did he get in on Dec 6th??

 

[OhioGuy]

A lot to speculate on, but I think part of the affidavit is notable in that it specifically states the curtilage. Copied from the Columbus Dispatch below

According to court records, video showed McKee going into the area of the Tepe home on Dec. 6and then showed him leaving "a few hours later." The affidavit describes the area McKee entered as the "curtilage," which is legally considered part of a house but typically thought of as the yard, outdoor buildings, porches and other similar areas.

So I don’t think this means he was inside the house. Of course, several hours is a long time to spend anywhere when you’re, at least in theory, trying to be stealthy. I wonder if this just means he was seen by this camera leaving the area several hours later, not the house specifically. So maybe he made several passes down the street in front and alley in back.

As for what upset Monique, total speculation on my part but what would make sense to me: they’re at the game and get an alert, we know they had a Ring doorbell. Getting an alert at that time of day would be unusual because the game kicked off at 8pm and she left around halftime, so somewhere between 8 and 930 they get that alert and she sees him creeping around her front porch, close enough to set off the bell. Could be endless things MM did that set her off though.

Edit to add: If he did get inside on this recon trip, I wonder if it would’ve been the murder date had they been home. However, he was clearly there much, much earlier than he was on Dec 30 and I’d think 8pm or so is a super risky time vs the way he did it on December 30 and ambushed them in their sleep. I wonder on the recon trip if he tried one of the popular door codes (anniversary, kids birthday, any code Monique used when they were together) and that’s how he was able to gain access so quickly on the 30th.

 

[Gemmie]

A lot to speculate on, but I think part of the affidavit is notable in that it specifically states the curtilage. Copied from the Columbus Dispatch below

According to court records, video showed McKee going into the area of the Tepe home on Dec. 6and then showed him leaving "a few hours later." The affidavit describes the area McKee entered as the "curtilage," which is legally considered part of a house but typically thought of as the yard, outdoor buildings, porches and other similar areas.

So I don’t think this means he was inside the house. Of course, several hours is a long time to spend anywhere when you’re, at least in theory, trying to be stealthy. I wonder if this just means he was seen by this camera leaving the area several hours later, not the house specifically. So maybe he made several passes down the street in front and alley in back.

As for what upset Monique, total speculation on my part but what would make sense to me: they’re at the game and get an alert, we know they had a Ring doorbell. Getting an alert at that time of day would be unusual because the game kicked off at 8pm and she left around halftime, so somewhere between 8 and 930 they get that alert and she sees him creeping around her front porch, close enough to set off the bell. Could be endless things MM did that set her off though.

I'm not convinced he was actually inside the house going by what I've read. It says "into the area of the Tepe home". That could be their yard for instance. I'd love if they'd show that video of what they saw.

 

[Megnut]

I'm not convinced he was actually inside the house going by what I've read. It says "into the area of the Tepe home". That could be their yard for instance. I'd love if they'd show that video of what they saw.

If it was from the mounted camera, they may have footage of him entering the curtilage. If he went around the back, they wouldn't have a view of him again until he left.

Hours is a looooooong time to sit in cold in someone else's yard doing nothing. He was there for a reason. Securing a point of entry, bugging the house....

Nervy. How did he know they wouldn't have security cameras? How did he know they wouldn't get alerts? Didn't he worry about a silent alarm?

He wasn't there doing nothing.

JMO

 

[Gemmie]

If it was from the mounted camera, they may have footage of him entering the curtilage. If he went around the back, they wouldn't have a view of him again until he left.

Hours is a looooooong time to sit in cold in someone else's yard doing nothing. He was there for a reason. Securing a point of entry, bugging the house....

Nervy. How did he know they wouldn't have security cameras? How did he know they wouldn't get alerts? Didn't he worry about a silent alarm?

He wasn't there doing nothing.

JMO

He could have been installing hidden cameras around the yard, like facing windows, to look inside when the curtains are open.

 

[Cassie P]

Holy crap! This just gets worse and worse.

From your link:

• According to the affidavit, McKee was seen on video entering Tepe’s property on N. 4th Street on Dec. 6, 2025, and leaving a few hours later when the couple was away. (That's a long drive to be there for a few hours. Did he know they were away? I think he did.
• The affidavit states that McKee’s phone was left at his job in Rockford, Illinois, and showed no activity for approximately 17 hours from Dec. 29 until after noon on Dec. 30.
• The affidavit states that McKee told Monique that “he could kill her at any time and would find her and buy the house right next to her, that she will always be his wife.

If MM's attorney had any thoughts about asking for bail while awaiting trial, I hope she can see that this man is a possible danger to others and a flight risk.

 

[Cassie P]

A lot to speculate on, but I think part of the affidavit is notable in that it specifically states the curtilage. Copied from the Columbus Dispatch below.

So I don’t think this means he was inside the house. Of course, several hours is a long time to spend anywhere when you’re, at least in theory, trying to be stealthy. I wonder if this just means he was seen by this camera leaving the area several hours later, not the house specifically. So maybe he made several passes down the street in front and alley in back.

Would he make a long drive and risk detection just to lurk around the yard?

 

[arielilane]

Media permission filed by:

• AP
• Court TV
• WBNS-TV
• Columbus Dispatch & USA Today Network

Site does not properly layout for me. Here's link:

Courtroom Live Streams | Franklin Court of Common Pleas

Collection of links to individual courtroom video streams

www.fccourts.org

Case Information Online

Prosecutor:
STEVEN C SCHOTT
DANIEL D LENERT
SHAYLA D FAVOR


Defendant MICHAEL MCKEE
Attorney DIANE M MENASHE

Case Number 26 CR 000253
1/22/2026 Media Permission

No plea
Judge and Courtroom: not assigned

Plea of not guilty
Judge assigned: Kim J Brown



Judge Kim Brown - Courtroom 5E

Courtroom Live Streams | Franklin Court of Common Pleas

Collection of links to individual courtroom video streams

www.fccourts.org

Case Information Online

 

[acutename]

A lot to speculate on, but I think part of the affidavit is notable in that it specifically states the curtilage. Copied from the Columbus Dispatch below

According to court records, video showed McKee going into the area of the Tepe home on Dec. 6and then showed him leaving "a few hours later." The affidavit describes the area McKee entered as the "curtilage," which is legally considered part of a house but typically thought of as the yard, outdoor buildings, porches and other similar areas.

So I don’t think this means he was inside the house. Of course, several hours is a long time to spend anywhere when you’re, at least in theory, trying to be stealthy. I wonder if this just means he was seen by this camera leaving the area several hours later, not the house specifically. So maybe he made several passes down the street in front and alley in back.

As for what upset Monique, total speculation on my part but what would make sense to me: they’re at the game and get an alert, we know they had a Ring doorbell. Getting an alert at that time of day would be unusual because the game kicked off at 8pm and she left around halftime, so somewhere between 8 and 930 they get that alert and she sees him creeping around her front porch, close enough to set off the bell. Could be endless things MM did that set her off though.

Edit to add: If he did get inside on this recon trip, I wonder if it would’ve been the murder date had they been home. However, he was clearly there much, much earlier than he was on Dec 30 and I’d think 8pm or so is a super risky time vs the way he did it on December 30 and ambushed them in their sleep. I wonder on the recon trip if he tried one of the popular door codes (anniversary, kids birthday, any code Monique used when they were together) and that’s how he was able to gain access so quickly on the 30th.

could he have planted cameras or microphones to study their habits? could have removed them when he committed the deed. I do not have sophisticated knowledge about surveillance but maybe he planted something to record their codes- people do that with card swipers all the time.

 

[acutename]

DBM

so did he text MT a threat Dec 6th? (Still wondering why this took 9 yrs but maybe there were threats before that we don't know about)

 

[acutename]

I don't know what was going on with MT, but in general abused women can be all over the map because they have become so traumatized by physical, emotional, mental abuse and threats. Some days they downplay it all and ignore risk levels and try to have a normal life, other days they are terrified to the point of being immobilized and have trouble functioning.

Spenser was so normal- he might have been saying: you're safe with me, he won't do anything now, we have a security system, etc. etc.

 

[acutename]

So creepy, but something freaked her out enough to leave so you could be right. Someone saying they’re watching me in section whatever would make me leave thats for sur.

you would not leave your partner and a group of friends to be alone because you would be more vulnerable IMO -you might go somewhere to cry.

 

[Gemmie]

you would not leave your partner and a group of friends to be alone because you would be more vulnerable IMO -you might go somewhere to cry.

That's exactly why I think she left the game. She didn't want to ruin everyone's fun so left to be alone and cry, pace, freak out, etc. It's all so damn sad. It's bad enough to be killed by a monster, but to be stalked and threated for almost a freaking decade before?!?! It's too awful to even comprehend.

 

[ttjo]

you would not leave your partner and a group of friends to be alone because you would be more vulnerable IMO -you might go somewhere to cry.

Very true, Spencer said “ something about her ex” I wonder what exactly she told him/
You’re right, I might leave but I’d take someone with me or stay close to someone at least.

 

[acutename]

I know McKee’s lawyer is very tenacious and skilled, but the facts that have emerged thus far make it seem like there’s absolutely nothing to poke holes in or garner plausible deniability for McKee. Maybe her aim is just to avoid the death penalty and call that a win.

He was so obviously a dangerous stalker that put a ton of time and effort into stalking Monique and planning this crime. So heartbreaking and pure evil. He seemed to terrorize Monique in so many ways.

So what is he telling her? It wasn't me? Lots of guys look like me and the world is full of silver SUVs? (does anyone think it is odd that they never specify the make/model of his car?) I have had lots of guns- they are always getting stolen?

 

[Puzzles8]

dbm

 

[acutename]

If he was in the house, and for  hours, I suspect he put cameras throughout it.

Is that possible? Bypass their wifi? Use starlink or something?

He was hellbent.

JMO

pirate their Wifi! Become the administrator. Monitor them and shut off the alarms when he wanted to enter. was he savy about systems?

 

[ttjo]

could he have planted cameras or microphones to study their habits? could have removed them when he committed the deed. I do not have sophisticated knowledge about surveillance but maybe he planted something to record their codes- people do that with card swipers all the time.

he could have set something up, but without wifi I think it would be tough? How hard is it to get into someone’s wifi?
I know you can share a passcode if someone is in your address book and are near you. I dont think that happened here tho.

 

[maamager]

pirate their Wifi! Become the administrator. Monitor them and shut off the alarms when he wanted to enter. was he savy about systems?

woah yeah, then he could see what devices (if any) were connected. aka whether anyone was home or not.