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

[Rosydecember]

I am not faulting someone for being an ambitious, successful professional who is making a good PR/marketing move. And we are not talking about woulda, coulda, shoulda. We are talking about what is.

I think you misunderstood the OP.

What they meant was: good thing she isn’t motivated by high profile cases because if she only was, she wouldn’t have worked on the Kenny Phillips case. He was wrongly convicted and she was able to get him off during a retrial because he was innocent.

 

[girlhasnoname]

It seems so odd that he would try to evade detection with license plate changes and leaving his phone behind but also somehow threaten Monique or upset her enough that she left the game early. Why bother with license plates, wait nearly a decade, or higher a high profile attorney when there's a trail of threats and stalking? He must have known he would be named and caught. It's so illogical.

As is the minds of many killers that fill the pages here on WS. Why do any of them do what they do? I wish we had a way of finding out the real, legitimate thinking going on in their minds at the time, but very few are honest or forthcoming about the "Why" of the matter. That is the thing, IMO, that is the most important and you know families of all the murdered loved ones just want an answer to that question as well. It must be terrible to have to endure that.

It was a brief marriage (7 actual months together) between Monique and him. I think MM had MH issues first, throw in drug use and a recent downward career spiraling made it the recipe for disaster. It's been reported he had been controlling and physical with Monique and had threatened her in the past. If he was seen in their yard on Dec. 6, I'm surprised LE wasn't contacted - that we know of. She left the game at halftime and her husband didn't. Maybe they just didn't understand the severity of the situation.

Tepe Murders: Accused Killer Surgeon Planned Crime in Advance, Stalked Home Weeks Before Double Slayings

MOO

 

[girlhasnoname]

Perhaps nothing more than the probability he didn't sit in the fishbowl back yard for 3 hours squaring up his head.

Anything he may have breached, jury-rigged, installed would have disappeared with him on December 30th.

So so so much premeditation and planning.

So so so many opportunities to self-correct... starting with Do No Harm...

JMO

ITA - He did something on Dec 6th for Dec 30th arrival. This from Crime Online:

<snipped & BBM>

Prosecutors allege McKee stalked the couple for weeks, traveled from Illinois to Ohio, and entered their home without forced entry before killing them, with investigators citing surveillance video, vehicle evidence, phone records, and a newly unsealed affidavit detailing alleged past abuse and threats.

MSN

 

[girlhasnoname]

I suspect someone knows why Monique went back to the hotel. I think that she would call someone like her mother or sister and talk about what was so upsetting that she left the game.

It doesn't make sense to me to leave his phone at a hospital cot room but exit himself where he was surely picked up by footage having him leave and return. Surely, the footage is kept long enough for police to go through it. Perhaps, it is as you say, he figured that he wouldn't be that much of a suspect.

Another thing that just amazes me is that he left casings behind. I don't care if I have to scour beneath the bed, I'm going to find all of the casings for the gun. Also, why on earth would you keep the gun, the silencer and the fake license plates?

None of it makes sense to me unless this guy had been stealing drugs somehow from the hospital and was hooked on drugs. That's the only way that I can see someone who is supposedly successful screwing up his life this much.

If this goes to trial, we might also discover if any notices went to MM and MT by error concerning their divorce. I myself think that it was caught in time (like the next day) for any notice to be mailed. Now, if the court had their emails, notices may have been sent to those in error. In fact, if this is the case, maybe, that's how the error was discovered, by either MM or MT calling in and alerting them to the error.

All speculation on my part.

I think MM was done with life in general and he wanted to make MT 'done' too. Couldn't stand to see her doing well and so happy. His attempts at covering up were childish and a vascular surgeon would surely be smarter than that if he truly cared and wanted to get away with it.

JMO

 

[darring21]

ITA - He did something on Dec 6th for Dec 30th arrival. This from Crime Online:

<snipped & BBM>

Prosecutors allege McKee stalked the couple for weeks, traveled from Illinois to Ohio, and entered their home without forced entry before killing them, with investigators citing surveillance video, vehicle evidence, phone records, and a newly unsealed affidavit detailing alleged past abuse and threats.

MSN

Right - he was in their house when he killed them and there was no evidence of forced entry. I'm still not sure if he got in through the basement window or figured out the code to the door.

 

[Knitpicker]

It’s true, we dont really know, just is so coincidental that she left the game upset allegedly at the ex, and the ex was there that day. We dont even have time frames so never know. I cannot wait to find out tho.

Maybe she told someone-some knew there were issues it seems.No one is going to talk now. They will wait for the trial.

 

[Knitpicker]

I think MM was done with life in general and he wanted to make MT 'done' too. Couldn't stand to see her doing well and so happy. His attempts at covering up were childish and a vascular surgeon would surely be smarter than that if he truly cared and wanted to get away with it.

JMO

It used to be if you broke up with someone, you had no way of knowing where they were, etc. (obviously if they moved)
The problem with the internet, is not only can you follow someone (through mutual friends/ on FB), but you can just google their name, and find out where they live., You can’t run from anyone anymore. There is no privacy in your life and it can become dangerous.
I wonder if MT knew that MM knew where she lived.
If you are old enough you would know there were people who had “unlisted” phone numbers. So there was no way you can find/contact people who you broke up with. And some people didn’t want to be found in the phone book or by “information” (411-which most people under 50 wouldnt know about)
There are people who find long lost boyfriends/ husbands etc and imo it’s not a good thing.
There is no clean break from someone you want to get away from nowadays.they know where you work, where you live, etc.Even know what you paid for your house and whats left on your mortgage!

 

[Knox]

I suspect someone knows why Monique went back to the hotel. I think that she would call someone like her mother or sister and talk about what was so upsetting that she left the game.

It doesn't make sense to me to leave his phone at a hospital cot room but exit himself where he was surely picked up by footage having him leave and return. Surely, the footage is kept long enough for police to go through it. Perhaps, it is as you say, he figured that he wouldn't be that much of a suspect.

Another thing that just amazes me is that he left casings behind. I don't care if I have to scour beneath the bed, I'm going to find all of the casings for the gun. Also, why on earth would you keep the gun, the silencer and the fake license plates?

None of it makes sense to me unless this guy had been stealing drugs somehow from the hospital and was hooked on drugs. That's the only way that I can see someone who is supposedly successful screwing up his life this much.

If this goes to trial, we might also discover if any notices went to MM and MT by error concerning their divorce. I myself think that it was caught in time (like the next day) for any notice to be mailed. Now, if the court had their emails, notices may have been sent to those in error. In fact, if this is the case, maybe, that's how the error was discovered, by either MM or MT calling in and alerting them to the error.

All speculation on my part.

Regarding the bank notices - how many address changes had MM had since the divorce finalized? Does the court send electronic notices to email addresses in matters like this one?

It makes total sense if he did receive a notice back in June last year, that was the precipitating factor which made him hyperfocus on Monique/Spencer - after so many years had passed.

So many unknowns, hopefully we're not left waiting until trial to learn the details.

 

[ttjo]

Maybe she told someone-some knew there were issues it seems.No one is going to talk now. They will wait for the trial.

Hopefully they talk to the police tho.

 

[Knitpicker]

Hopefully they talk to the police tho.

I meant go on a podcast and such. Yes, hopefully the LE know.

 

[Cassie P]

I think MM was done with life in general and he wanted to make MT 'done' too. Couldn't stand to see her doing well and so happy. His attempts at covering up were childish and a vascular surgeon would surely be smarter than that if he truly cared and wanted to get away with it.

JMO

I think this is one possibility, he was done with life and did not care anymore.

However I could argue that he did think he would get away with the crime. We have to understand that his typical mode was functioning like a child. He was trying to evade the attorneys from his lawsuits, acting like a child with address changes and refusing to accept subpoenas. And not moving on from a marriage long over. Sending threats.

He was struggling to pass his credentialing exams. Failing to function on the job. An adult buckles down, gets help, tutoring, mentoring. Whatever it takes to succeed in their goals. A child has a temper tantrum and starts throwing toys out of his crib,

This is mental illness and part of the picture is his functioning on a the level of a child.

It is possible he thought would get away with the crime. Narcissists often think they are the smartest people around. Everyone else is stupid. Even though in many areas of life they are totally incompetent.

He did make an attempt to cover up the crime with the phone and license plate tricks. And he did visit the home beforehand to reconnoiter the future crime scene. Mostly he wanted to figure out entrance and exit, damage the alarm system, break a basement window, etc. Also most likely he left something in the home, stalkers usually do. Surveillance equipment, something personal so that MT would know he had been there, etc.

He thought he could provide an alibi to the police, and that he could talk his way out of the crime, they would have no proof. He thought he could successfully commit this crime and get away with it.

Like most narcissists they vastly over rate their performance. They cannot take responsibility for their problems, it is always someone else's fault. They cannot accept their limitations.
Like in this murder, MM made many amateur mistakes. He based the cover up on movies and books, with no understanding of how LE really works.

 

[Justice101]

"with the phone and license plate tricks"

I must have missed that.. what is this about?

 

[girlhasnoname]

I think this is one possibility, he was done with life and did not care anymore.

However I could argue that he did think he would get away with the crime. We have to understand that his typical mode was functioning like a child. He was trying to evade the attorneys from his lawsuits, acting like a child with address changes and refusing to accept subpoenas. And not moving on from a marriage long over. Sending threats.

He was struggling to pass his credentialing exams. Failing to function on the job. An adult buckles down, gets help, tutoring, mentoring. Whatever it takes to succeed in their goals. A child has a temper tantrum and starts throwing toys out of his crib,

This is mental illness and part of the picture is his functioning on a the level of a child.

It is possible he thought would get away with the crime. Narcissists often think they are the smartest people around. Everyone else is stupid. Even though in many areas of life they are totally incompetent.

He did make an attempt to cover up the crime with the phone and license plate tricks. And he did visit the home beforehand to reconnoiter the future crime scene. Mostly he wanted to figure out entrance and exit, damage the alarm system, break a basement window, etc. Also most likely he left something in the home, stalkers usually do. Surveillance equipment, something personal so that MT would know he had been there, etc.

He thought he could provide an alibi to the police, and that he could talk his way out of the crime, they would have no proof. He thought he could successfully commit this crime and get away with it.

Like most narcissists they vastly over rate their performance. They cannot take responsibility for their problems, it is always someone else's fault. They cannot accept their limitations.
Like in this murder, MM made many amateur mistakes. He based the cover up on movies and books, with no understanding of how LE really works.

I said in my OP 'half hearted' attempts to cover up, and still think that today. He's text book intelligent obvs, he could have researched on how to get away with murder, watched the ID channel or read here hah. It's always the husband or the ex. Here we know it wasn't the husband.

He should've never driven his own car, been caught on CCTV in several locations in the hours he spent at the home on the 6th, erased the sticker on his car afterwards (Maybe a pass to get into reserved parking at the hospital or his residence? We have one for entrance to the CC), left his cell phone for 17 hours straight (that is a real change in usual pattern I'd bet). Plus we know they tied him through other electronic means as well.

MM's problems seemed to be culminating and spiraling and Monique's beautiful, happy posts enraged him IMO. How very dare she have such a happy life when he is suffering so much? I don't have a source for this but,
[SPOILER="CS Detail (Potential)"I read somewhere that Monique was shot once, but Spencer multiple times. [/SPOILER]

NARC I totally agree, but 100% responsible and guilty IMO. Top jobs for NARCS include Doctors, CEO's, Politicians, Lawyers etc. Those will a high degree of self esteem already who have a huge desire for control.

At least he left the children alive, for that I am thankful.

JMO

 

[girlhasnoname]

"with the phone and license plate tricks"

I must have missed that.. what is this about?

MM left his phone at home for 17 hours straight, and he reportedly changed the license plates on his car. Two of the most obvious tricks in the book.

 

[Justice101]

MM left his phone at home for 17 hours straight, and he reportedly changed the license plates on his car. Two of the most obvious tricks in the book.

I see.

So, he went to DMV and got his plates changed after he got back home?

 

[Justice101]

Well, according to the article & affidavit she left the game early because of something in regards to him. Quote here:

The affidavit also states that Monique and Spencer were at the Big Ten Championship game in Indiana on Dec. 6 with other friends. Monique went back to her hotel during the second half of the game.

When asked why Monique left the game, Spencer said she was upset about “something involving her ex-husband and was going back to the hotel,” according to the affidavit.

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

I wonder if he was stalking her and and she actually met him to tell him to get the hell lost?

 

[Mom of 3]

I agree and don't think I've ever seen a backyard fence without a gate.

Most cities code enforcement requires a gate to a backyard, so I'm sure there was one (plus as the picture shows you can see the hinges).

 

[girlhasnoname]

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.

Sadly all because of mentally stunted men (and a small percentage of women) who insist on complete domination and control of them and everything in the 'family'.The poor women who suffer life long effects of this behavior have my deepest condolences. It has to be mentally and physically exhausting, always wondering...

It's been this way from the beginning of time, and will continue even though stalking laws have gotten better over the last years. It can happen anywhere, high school, college, on the job, marriages or even some sicko noticing a woman as a bank teller, or as simple as a store/food cashier. They are the problem and when they torpedo focus on punishing the women for not reciprocating there really isn't any way to stay 100% safe. A No Trespass or Protection Order is not going to keep them from gunning you down in the street or slipping into your home and murdering you. It sickens me and I wish there were a way to prevent this in the future.

MOO

 

[tlcya]

I see.

So, he went to DMV and got his plates changed after he got back home?

Other footage confirms McKee was in possession of that vehicle, according to the affidavit, which described it as a silver SUV. The vehicle was connected to McKee’s past address and current work address and had stolen Ohio and Arizona license plates on it at different times, the court document says.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/01/us/ohio-tepe-murders-affidavit

 

[girlhasnoname]

Maybe she told someone-some knew there were issues it seems.No one is going to talk now. They will wait for the trial.

I don't know if you mean in general about MM's threats, but Monique did tell friends and her family that he had been harassing and threatening her.

Maybe a neighbor saw a silver SUV in the neighborhood or saw someone walking through her yard and notified her at the game. Do we know for a fact they even had a security alarm? I think Dec 6th he was looking for way in for his future plans. Him posing by the house with a For Sale sign is definitely a possibility in my mind. Something a NARC stalker would totally do.

Monique would have been terrified knowing he was there on the 6th.

JMO