Michael McKee stands accused of tormenting his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, before allegedly taking her life and that of her new husband, Spencer Tepe, an Ohio-based dentist.
The tragic incident occurred on December 30, nearly a decade after McKee and Monique parted ways. The Tepes were just weeks shy of celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary when McKee allegedly shot them in their Columbus, Ohio home at approximately 3:52 a.m., as reported by the authorities.
Following the fatal shooting, McKee fled the scene in a vehicle that ultimately aided police in connecting him to the crime, according to law enforcement officials.
McKee, who works as a vascular surgeon in the Chicago area, was married to Monique for less than a year before they began divorce proceedings in 2016. During their separation, he allegedly insisted that she reimburse him for the engagement ring, along with a 23% interest on a claimed $1,200 debt.
According to CrimeOnline, those close to Monique suspected that McKee subjected her to abuse and torment during their brief marriage, leaving her deeply affected.
Monique reportedly had to incur extra expenses to hire a private judge to speed up the divorce process.
“It suggests a disorder like stalking,” Los Angeles psychoanalyst, Dr. Bethany Marshall told ‘Crime Stories’ host, Nancy Grace.
“Again, I haven’t examined this guy, but stalkers, they imagine that they have a very special, unique, intimate, close relationship with the victim, even when there is no relationship at all.”
After shooting the couple, McKee allegedly left the couple’s two children, ages 1 and 4, “in the next room…screaming their heads off, wailing,” Grace said.
During a brief court hearing Monday in Winnebago County, Illinois, a public defender pleaded not guilty on his behalf.
McKee, who appeared stone-faced and remained emotionless during the hearing, waived his extradition back to Ohio.
He remains behind bars without bail, facing two counts of aggravated murder with premeditation.
Under Ohio law, aggravated murder is considered a more serious charge than murder, with an extended punishment of life in sentence without parole or a possible death penalty.
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[Feature Photo: Monique and Spencer Tepe/Handout]
