Medical Malpractice Allegations Against Dr. McKee Prior to Indictment
Dr. Michael McKee was facing several charges related to medical malpractice and negligence before his indictment for the deaths of an Ohio dentist and his spouse, as per a recent court filing.
The 39-year-old vascular surgeon was named in a civil rights and medical negligence lawsuit filed on June 7, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for Nevada. Additionally, McKee is the primary defendant in an ongoing medical malpractice case that is set for a jury trial, according to records from Clark County’s state court.
Lawyer Dan Laird from Las Vegas commented on McKee’s pattern of eluding legal consequences prior to the alleged murder of his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, and her husband, Spencer Tepe, both in their 30s.
“They were responsible individuals,” Laird stated. “It surprised us that they just vanished like that.”
According to Laird, a lawsuit from 2023 suggests McKee neglected to adequately prepare his physician assistants, leading to patient injuries that necessitated emergency surgeries.
McKee reportedly provided a false address, which turned out to be nonexistent, and a questionable state-issued phone number, creating additional suspicion.
“The address we received from the surgical group was misleading,” Laird noted, referencing Las Vegas Surgical Associates LLP. “It doesn’t even exist.”
Laird shared that attempts to locate McKee were ongoing, and he had even visited McKee’s former colleagues, including Dr. Peter Calavera, who is also facing a medical malpractice lawsuit. “He has no idea where McKee is,” Laird revealed. “He just vanished.”
The imprisoned plaintiff in the Nevada lawsuit contends that McKee deliberately delayed necessary treatment for his serious health condition while serving on the Nevada Department of Corrections’ Medical Review Board. The complaint claims this resulted in prolonged pain and complications that required ineffective procedures.
The lawsuit claims that McKee’s delays in authorizing appropriate medical care exacerbated the plaintiff’s health issues, leading to significant injury, including the loss of a testicle. McKee, along with other defendants in this federal case, denies the allegations, which have yet to be adjudicated.
McKee was arrested on December 30, 2025, after Columbus authorities discovered Spencer and Monique Tepe shot dead in their home. The couple’s children were unharmed, and investigators believe their deaths were not a murder-suicide.
The lawsuit concerning McKee was active just prior to the Tepe couple’s deaths. Rob Misley, Spencer’s brother-in-law, stated that the family suspected McKee’s involvement right away, mentioning that he had a history of emotional abuse.
While the civil suit gives some context regarding McKee’s situation, a former prosecutor mentioned it likely won’t significantly influence the criminal case. “Prosecutors will consider any behavioral patterns from the civil case, painting a broader picture of McKee’s life,” she stated.
McKee is charged with premeditated aggravated murder relating to the deaths of the Tepe couple. His extradition hearing in Rockford, Illinois, has been rescheduled to January 23, 2026.
