Ohio couple Monique Tepe and Spencer Tepe’s brother-in-law opened up about her relationship with ex-husband Michael McKee after the surgeon was arrested in Illinois for allegedly killing them both.
“She was terrified because he had threatened her life on multiple occasions when they were married,” Rob Misleh told NBC News about Monique in a video interview shared on Tuesday, January 13.
Misleh added that Monique, 39, “wasn’t shy about talking to people about traumatic experiences that she had with her ex and just how emotionally abusive he was to her.” He then said that Monique’s past with McKee “affected her to this day.”
After Misleh said that Monique was “worried” when she divorced McKee in 2017, he said he was not aware if the doctor had threatened the couple in the weeks leading up to their murders. Additionally, he said he didn’t know if McKee was ever physically abusive towards Monique.
“If any of us had known that these threats were actually grounded in possibility, we all would’ve acted differently,” Misleh concluded.
Monique and Spencer’s bodies were found in their Columbus, Ohio, home on December 30, 2025, when his coworker requested a welfare check after he didn’t show up to work. Upon the police officer’s arrival, Spencer, 37, was found with multiple gunshot wounds and Monique was shot at least one time in the chest.
The couple’s two children and their family dog were found unharmed in the home.
McKee was later identified as a suspect after surveillance footage spotted his car near the Tepes’ home. Authorities said that the vehicle “arrived just prior to the homicides and left shortly after.” McKee was eventually arrested once police confirmed that he owned the vehicle at the time of the killings.
He was arrested in Rockford, Illinois, on murder charges on Saturday, January 10, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. One day later, McKee’s charges were upgraded to aggravated murder.
After McKee was arrested, the Tepe family issued a statement reacting to the major update in the case.
“Today’s arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer. Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon, but we are grateful to the City of Columbus Police Department, its investigators, and assisting law enforcement community whose tireless efforts helped to capture the person involved,” the family said, per ABC 6.”We thank the community for the continued support, prayers, and compassion shown throughout this tragedy. As the case proceeds, we trust the justice system to hold the person responsible fully accountable.”
“Monique and Spencer remain at the center of our hearts, and we carry forward their love as we surround and protect the two children they leave behind,” the family added. “We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world.”
McKee made his first appearance in court on Monday, January 12, where his lawyer shared his intention to enter a not guilty plea. Additionally, the attorney said that he was waiving his right to an extradition hearing.
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