Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode Title: MONSTER MARRIAGE: ICY THREATS SURGEON MADE YEARS BEFORE KILLING EX-WIFE & NEW HUBBY, COPS
Date: January 15, 2026

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, Nancy Grace examines the shocking double homicide in which Dr. Michael McKee, a successful vascular surgeon, is accused of stalking and killing his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, and her new husband, Spencer Tepe. The podcast dissects the nearly decade-long lead-up to the crime, McKee's history of threats and alleged malpractices, and the devastating impact on the family—especially the couple’s two young children who were at home during the murders. Nancy and her expert guests analyze the chilling psychology behind the crime, the forensic evidence, and the procedural challenges in bringing McKee to justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background & Timeline of the Case

• Dr. Michael McKee allegedly killed his ex-wife and her new husband nearly a decade after a short-lived, tumultuous marriage (00:00-02:17).
• Monique had two young children with her second husband, and both children were home, left with their parents’ bodies for hours (00:00).
• McKee traveled over 300 miles to commit the murders, underscoring a sense of premeditation and long-standing obsession.

2. History of Threats and Emotional Abuse

• Family and friends recount that Monique was terrified of McKee. She made her social media private and shared with others the emotional abuse she'd endured during their marriage (03:06-04:29).
• Quote: “She was terrified because he had threatened her life on multiple occasions when they were married.” – Dr. Thomas Coyne, quoting family (02:17).
• Dr. Bethany Marshall explains the typical escalation of stalking and domestic abuse: “When women leave a relationship, they're at the highest risk for domestic homicide." (04:29)
• The family often wonders, in hindsight, whether they could have prevented the murders if they had taken the threats seriously (03:37-03:45).

3. The Stalking Behavior & Legal Proceedings

• McKee’s obsession allegedly began at the time of divorce. He appeared to surveil Monique online and possibly in person. He was described as "stone-faced and cold-blooded" in court (08:51-09:38).
• Monique expedited the divorce at her own expense and even paid her ex’s claimed "debts," reflecting her desperation to be free (09:38-10:54).
• Guests discuss his controlling behavior, including demanding repayment for engagement and wedding rings plus interest (09:38-10:54).
• Expert Randy Kessler notes, “Sometimes people just want out” and that an ‘amicable’ divorce sometimes just means one party desperately wants to escape (10:54).

4. The Crime Scene & Its Horrific Impact on Children

• Details of the crime scene: both parents shot (Spencer twice, Monique once)—the children discovered their bodies hours later and may have been in the room (12:32-18:56).
• Quote: “If you try to touch the mom, her arm is like a two by four.” – Nancy Grace on the effects of rigor mortis (17:28).
• Dr. Coyne describes the likely physical scene: extensive blood, full rigor mortis, and how traumatic it would have been for the children (14:57-18:19).
• Dr. Bethany Marshall explains that such trauma will likely have lasting psychological impacts, including flashbacks and attachment issues (18:56).

5. Forensic & Physical Evidence—Weapons, Ballistics, and Premeditation

• Police seized multiple weapons from McKee’s residence. NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) indicates a preliminary match between a weapon found at his residence and the homicide bullets (24:30).
• Koa Lorrimore explains how homemade ammunition can be traced and the forensic tool marks used to link a specific gun to spent casings (27:10-33:06).
• The discussion explores the psychology of killers who take pleasure in the process—engraving bullets, making their own ammunition, etc. (27:10-31:48).
• McKee allegedly planned the murders methodically, reserving a cot at his hospital to provide an alibi or explanation for his whereabouts (34:11-34:22).

6. McKee’s Professional Downfall & Legal Evasion

• In the months leading up to the homicide, McKee faced serious malpractice lawsuits—including leaving a catheter in a patient and involvement in a case that led to an inmate losing a testicle (43:05-46:47).
• He evaded legal accountability by giving fake addresses and dodging process servers, “ghosting” jurisdictions where he was under investigation (44:11-44:33).
• The experts speculate that these professional and personal failures may have triggered the timing of the murders—a “demotion in status” leading to catastrophic violence (29:31-30:11).

7. Behavior After the Crime & Arrest

• McKee was arrested at a Chick fil A, acting totally nonchalant—as though nothing had happened (39:09).
• Nancy and her guests compare his post-crime behavior to notorious killers who show no remorse or are even self-congratulatory after the crime (41:47).
• Dr. Bethany Marshall: “This is his happy meal. He’s dancing on her grave.” (41:47)
• Extradition to face charges has been delayed due to private contractor issues, not due to any escape risk (06:08; 43:23).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Monique’s fear:
  “She was terrified because he had threatened her life on multiple occasions when they were married.”
  – Dr. Thomas Coyne, reporting family testimony (02:17)

• On aftermath for the children:
  “I don't care what all the shrinks say. Children remember long before 3 years old. … How will they remember that? Will they suppress it? Will it come back in dreams?”
  – Nancy Grace (18:56)

• On psychological impact and stalking:
  “When women leave a relationship, they're at the highest risk for domestic homicide.”
  – Dr. Bethany Marshall (04:29)

• On engravings and killer psychology:
  “He would have gotten complete and utter power over her. … In my field, we call it triumphing over the love object. He's triumphing over her every time he engraves that bullet.”
  – Dr. Bethany Marshall (30:58)

• On McKee’s behavior after the crime:
  “This is his happy meal. He’s dancing on her grave.”
  – Dr. Bethany Marshall (41:47)

• On the chilling impact of such cases:
  “When is enough? When can you look in the rearview mirror and say there's nothing there, it's just shadows?”
  – Randy Kessler (11:56)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – Case Introduction and narrative overview
• 02:17 – Evidence of threats and family/friend testimony
• 04:29 – Dr. Bethany Marshall on stalking and homicide risk
• 09:38 – Divorce proceedings, McKee’s controlling financial behavior
• 12:32 – Crime scene: children’s presence, police response
• 14:57-18:56 – Forensic evidence: bodies, rigor mortis, trauma for children
• 24:30-26:09 – Ballistic evidence and weapon linking
• 27:10-31:48 – Homemade ammunition, behavioral forensic analysis
• 34:11-34:22 – McKee’s alibi and premeditation
• 39:09-41:47 – McKee’s arrest at Chick fil A and comparison to Scott Peterson
• 43:05-46:47 – Malpractice lawsuits, evasion, and their psychological impact
• 48:03 – Call for tips and episode wrap-up

Expert Guests & Their Roles

• Dr. Bethany Marshall: Psychoanalyst; provides insights on stalking, domestic violence, and trauma’s psychological impact.
• Dr. Thomas Coyne: Forensic pathologist; explains the crime scene and trauma to the children.
• Randy Kessler: Trial lawyer; discusses the divorce process and implications for both the prosecution and defense.
• Koa Lorrimore: Former army sniper; discusses firearms and forensic ballistics.
• Dave Mack: Crime Stories investigative reporter; provides detailed background on McKee’s legal troubles and arrest.

Final Thoughts

This episode exposes the dark realities and lasting consequences of obsessive control, domestic terror, and the failures of social and legal systems to protect victims of stalking and abuse. It highlights the profound trauma suffered by children in violent homes and meticulously unravels the psychological and procedural threads of a crime almost ten years in the making. Through raw testimony, expert analysis, and unflinching detail, Nancy Grace and her panel remind listeners of the dangers lurking behind the veneer of a monster marriage—and how the signs are often there in plain sight.

Tip line for information: (614) 645-2228

This summary covers all substantive content from the episode and is designed for listeners seeking a comprehensive but accessible understanding of the case and discussion.