The man accused of killing Monique and Spencer Tepe allegedly threatened Monique’s life years earlier while the two were married, according to a family member.
Monique, 39, and her husband Spencer, 37, were shot to death inside their home in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 30. Their two children — ages 4 and 1 — were nearby in the house but were not physically harmed.
The arrest of Monique’s ex-husband, Michael David McKee, in connection with the killings did not surprise Spencer’s family, who say they were aware of McKee’s alleged behavior during his marriage to Monique.
Spencer’s brother-in-law Rob Misleh said Monique had been “very vocal” about what he described as emotional abuse during the relationship. The marriage lasted two years and ended in 2017.
Misleh said Monique told him McKee threatened her life “many times,” adding that the alleged threats were verbal.
“Monique was very vocal about being terrified of this guy [until her death],” Misleh said. “He was very emotionally abusive to her, to the point that it changed her as a person.”
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Authorities have not publicly accused McKee of emotional abuse. A request for comment was made to the public defender representing McKee in Illinois, but there was no immediate response.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said at a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 14, that the killings appeared to be “targeted.”
“This was a domestic violence-related attack,” Bryant said.
McKee has been charged with two counts of aggravated premeditated murder. He was arrested in Illinois, where he lives, and is awaiting extradition to Ohio to face the charges.
A public defender representing him in Illinois said earlier this week that McKee plans to plead not guilty.
