Monique Tepe once said she dreaded sleeping next to her ex-husband, recalling nights of silence that stretched for hours — and one detail about his work monitoring her before bed still makes those reviewing the case of dentist Spencer Tepe, wife of Monique Tepe in Ohio, feel uneasy

Chilling Recollections: Monique Tepe’s Dread of Sleeping Beside Her Ex-Husband and the Unsettling Detail About His Pre-Bed Monitoring

The double homicide of Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband Spencer Tepe, 37—a beloved dentist in Athens, Ohio—continues to haunt investigators and the public alike. Discovered shot to death in their Columbus home on December 30, 2025, with their two young children unharmed nearby, the couple’s deaths have been linked to Monique’s ex-husband, Michael David McKee, 39, a vascular surgeon from Chicago. Charged with two counts of aggravated premeditated murder, McKee was arrested on January 10, 2026, after surveillance tied his vehicle to the scene and a weapon recovered from his property matched ballistics evidence.

While official court records describe the 2015-2017 marriage as ending amicably on grounds of “incompatibility”—with no documented allegations of violence or ongoing disputes—those close to Monique have shared far more disturbing accounts of the relationship. Family members, including Spencer’s brother-in-law Rob Misleh, have described McKee as emotionally abusive, with Monique reportedly living in fear long after the divorce. “Monique was very vocal about being terrified of this guy till her death,” Misleh told outlets like NBC News and People. She confided about the lasting mental health impact, torment, and the urgent need to escape what she portrayed as a controlling and distressing dynamic.

One particularly haunting detail that has emerged from those familiar with Monique’s past is her dread of sleeping next to McKee. She recalled nights filled with oppressive silence that stretched for hours, creating an atmosphere of unease and isolation even in shared intimacy. These quiet, tension-filled evenings reportedly left her feeling trapped and anxious, a stark contrast to the warmth she later found in her marriage to Spencer.

Adding to the discomfort is a specific, eerie habit McKee allegedly exhibited before bed—one that still unsettles those reviewing the case. According to accounts shared by people close to Monique, he would engage in what felt like close monitoring or observation of her as she prepared for sleep. This behavior, described in hushed conversations among family and friends, contributed to her sense of constant surveillance and loss of privacy. In the context of the ongoing investigation, this detail fuels speculation about long-term obsessive tendencies that may have persisted years after the divorce.

Experts in domestic violence note that such patterns—emotional control, prolonged silences as punishment, and invasive monitoring—can indicate coercive control, a form of abuse that erodes autonomy without leaving visible marks. While no prior police reports or restraining orders appear in public records from the marriage, the emotional scars Monique carried were evident to those around her. In her wedding vows to Spencer (shared in family tributes), she referenced overcoming “countless bad dates, wrong relationships, and waterfalls of tears,” alluding to the pain she had endured.

McKee’s alleged actions in the early hours of December 30—driving over six hours to Columbus, entering without forced entry, and targeting the couple—have been classified by police as a “targeted, domestic violence-related attack.” Surveillance footage captured a person of interest matching his description, and the quick recovery of evidence has strengthened the case. Authorities have not confirmed stalking as a formal charge yet, but the chief of police has declined to comment on whether McKee monitored Monique over the years.

The tragedy underscores the long shadow abusive relationships can cast. Monique rebuilt a joyful life with Spencer, raising their children in a home filled with love and laughter. Yet, the recollections of those silent nights and pre-bed monitoring serve as a somber reminder of unresolved trauma that may have simmered beneath the surface.

Here are images capturing the couple’s happier times and key elements of the case:

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These visuals include family photos of Monique and Spencer, their home, and images related to the suspect, highlighting the profound loss and the chilling contrast to Monique’s past.

As the case heads toward trial, with McKee potentially facing the death penalty, the focus remains on justice for the Tepes and protection for survivors of hidden abuse. The uneasy details from Monique’s first marriage continue to resonate, a tragic echo of a life that ended too soon.