The family of an Ohio couple, fatally shot in their home, claims that the alleged shooter, Michael McKee, subjected his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, to emotional torment during their short marriage. He later broke into her home, where he killed her and her new husband, who worked as a dentist.
Rob Misley, Monique’s brother, shared on ABC News’ “Good Morning America” that Dr. McKee’s actions made Monique feel she had no choice but to escape. Police believe they have located the weapon used in the crime at McKee’s residence in Illinois.
According to Misley, the divorce filings indicate that McKee was emotionally abusive to Monique throughout their marriage, which lasted from 2015 to 2017 before ending due to incompatibility.
“People around her recognized the harm he inflicted and the pain she endured,” Misley remarked, highlighting Monique’s determination to leave her situation. “She was willing to do anything to get out of there.” He described her as a particularly strong individual.
Monique, 37, had no children and married her new husband, Spencer Tepe, in December 2020, as noted in her obituary.
On December 30, police allege that McKee, 39, broke into the couple’s Columbus home and shot them both in their bedroom, while their young children were left unharmed in another room.
After the incident, McKee was arrested in Rockford, Illinois, more than a week later, as police tracked down his vehicle from the night of the shooting.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant characterized the assault as a “targeted attack” linked to domestic violence, noting the discovery of a firearm believed to be the murder weapon. She mentioned that multiple weapons were retrieved from McKee’s property, with a preliminary connection established between one of those weapons and the murders.
During a court appearance in Illinois, McKee reportedly expressed an intention to plead not guilty, through Assistant Public Defender Carey Poirier.
Misley expressed the family’s desire for justice. “We want accountability not just for us, but also for the children, who have lost so much. This person needs to pay for their actions,” he stated.
McKee faces two counts of murder, according to court documents, with his next court date scheduled in Winnebago County, Illinois, on January 23 for an extradition hearing, after which he will be transferred to Columbus for trial.
