Although Monique Teepe and Mackie divorced nearly 10 years ago, USA TODAY has learned that she was scheduled to appear in an Ohio court in the case three months before the murders.
The Columbus Police Chief said “numerous weapons” were recovered from the property of Michael McKee, the suspect in the deaths of Monique and Spencer Teepe.
As new details emerge about a Chicago surgeon accused of murdering his ex-wife and her new husband in Ohio, investigators say they believe they have recovered the murder weapon.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said at a press conference on Wednesday, January 14 that one of several guns found in Michael David McKee’s Chicago condo initially matched the one at the scene of the shooting deaths of Spencer and Monique Tepe.
“This was a targeted attack,” Bryant said.
Tepes was shot dead in his home on December 30. Their 1- and 4-year-old children were home, crying but physically unharmed, as was the couple’s dog. McKee, who is the ex-husband of Monique Tepe, was arrested in the Chicago area 11 days after the murders and charged with premeditated murder in the case.
His attorney has said he will plead not guilty to the charges and remain silent after being extradited to Ohio.
Meanwhile, one of Tepe’s family members told NBC News on January 14 that Mackie had emotionally abused Monique Tepe.
“She was scared because he had threatened to kill her on several occasions when they were married,” said brother-in-law Rob Misleh. “She was not shy about talking to people about the traumatic experiences she had with her former partner and how emotionally he abused her. It has affected her to this day.”
He told Good Morning America that Monique Tappe was “willing to do anything to get out there” and that she was a “very strong person”.
Although Monique Teepe and Mackie divorced nearly 10 years ago, USA TODAY has learned that she was scheduled to appear in an Ohio court related to the case last September, three months before the murders.
Here is the latest information on this matter.
The city’s mayor described the murders as ‘unspeakable crimes’
Other than the revelation about the murder weapon, police released very few new details at a news conference on January 14, saying they did not want to risk compromising the prosecution against McKee, a 39-year-old vascular surgeon who lived about seven hours from the Tepe home in Columbus, Ohio.
Chief Bryant said Columbus Police have no record of any complaints of violence or harassment related to the Tape House. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther thanked community members who came forward with video and tips that led to arrests in the case, calling it an “unspeakable crime.”
“The tips that were submitted in this case matter,” Ginther said. “This was a targeted domestic violence attack that resulted in the deaths of two people and irreversibly changed the lives of their children, families, coworkers and friends. Our hearts go out to Spencer and Monique and their loved ones, especially the children affected by their unimaginable loss.”
What do divorce records show?
On paper, Monique Tappe and Michael McKee’s marriage of less than two years ended on normal terms, according to divorce records obtained by USA TODAY on Jan. 14.
According to their separation agreement, filed on April 28, 2017, “differences have arisen between the parties, and they are now living separate and apart from each other.”
Records show Mackie kept the couple’s home in Roanoke, Virginia, where he was working on his residency after graduating from Ohio State University in 2014. The home, which was worth approximately $230,000 at the time, was in McKee’s name only, as was the mortgage.
Neither was ordered to pay spousal support, and McKee and Tepe each kept their vehicles and debts.
The couple married in Columbus on August 22, 2015, and divorced in May 2017.
There was no further activity in the divorce case for years until June 2025, when a court appearance showed that a hearing was scheduled. A court spokesperson told USA TODAY that a hearing date for the case was scheduled for September but was canceled.
No one in court was immediately able to say why the hearing date was set or whether it was rescheduled, eight years after the divorce.
When did Monique get married again?
Monique and Spencer Tepe married on January 30, 2020, and were a month away from their fifth wedding anniversary when they were murdered.
In her wedding vows, Monique Teppe said she had to travel “quite a journey” to reach Spencer.
“Countless bad Bumble dates, bad relationships and waterfalls of tears,” she said tearfully. “But it was worth every hard moment because it led me to you. Throughout it all, I knew God was guiding me toward my individuality, and when I met him, it would be the most magical thing ever. And boy, is that an understatement.”
At her vows, Spencer told Monique that she was her best friend.
“We’re very fortunate,” he said. “I swear to never stop loving you and to always keep working on us… I swear to do my best to always make you laugh because your smile is my favorite thing.”
What has the Tepe family said?
In his interview with NBC News, Misleh said he was unaware of any physical abuse between Mackie and Monique Tepe or whether there had been any recent threats. He said, “If any of us had known that these threats were actually based on probabilities, we would all have acted differently.”
He told Good Morning America that more than 1,000 people attended Tapps’ funeral, which he said showed how well-liked and popular he was.
“We just want justice,” Misleh said. “We want the man who took so much not only from us as a family, but from so many others. And obviously the children, especially. We want this man to pay for what he did.”
In previous statements to USA TODAY, the Tepe family said they were devastated by the loss.
“They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy and deep connection with others,” he said. “Our hearts are broken beyond words.”
She described Spencer, 37, as “a devoted and proud father, a loving partner and a friend to all who met him,” and Monique, 39, as “a loving, patient and delightful mother whose warmth defined them.”
He added, “We will continue to honor his life and the light he brought to this world.”
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