Podcast Summary:

I Wish You Were Here
Host: Michelle Cuervo
Episode: A Fatal Divorce: The Double Homicide of Monique and Spencer Tepe
Date: February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode examines the chilling double homicide of Monique and Spencer Tepe in Columbus, Ohio, a case that shook both their community and true crime followers nationwide. Host Michelle Cuervo walks listeners through the victims’ lives, the tragic sequence of events, investigative stumbles, and the arrest of Monique’s ex-husband, Michael McKee, highlighting the lasting pain of domestic abuse and the haunting impact left on surviving children.

Victims’ Backgrounds: Who Were Monique and Spencer Tepe?

(00:29–06:50)

• Spencer Tepe:

  • Described as reliable, intelligent, warm, and deeply engaged with his patients and community.
  • Cincinnati native, studied biology and Spanish at Ohio State before completing dental school in 2017.
  • Known for commitment to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, love of Cincinnati Bengals, and being a devoted family man.
  • Quote (Michelle, 04:21):

    “His family remembers him as, quote, a devoted and proud father, a loving partner, and a friend to everyone that he met.”

• Monique Francis Tepe:

  • Known for her warmth, patience, and passion for early childhood education and caring for children.
  • Active in her community, joyful mother, talented baker, soccer player, avid reader.
  • Married to Spencer since January 2020; two young children.
  • Quote (Michelle, 06:13):

    “Their family was literally everything both of them had ever dreamt of, and their home was filled with love, happiness, and the sound of their children's laughter.”

Discovery of the Crime

(06:51–15:45)

• Timeline of Events:
  • December 30, 2025: Spencer fails to arrive at work—highly out of character.
  • 8:58 am: Concerned colleague Dr. Mark Voros calls 911 for a wellness check.
    • Quote (Dr. Voros, relayed by Michelle, 00:29):

      “He’s been very reliable and we cannot get in touch with him, his wife, his family, anyone that lives in that house. We’re very, very concerned because this is very out of character...”

  • Initial police response mishandled—officer sent to wrong address, as later acknowledged by Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant.
  • 9:56–10:03 am: Friends and colleagues arrive at the scene, hear children inside, urgency ramps up.
    • Quote (Friend Alex on 911, as recounted by Michelle, 13:36):

      “Oh, there’s a body. There’s a body.”

  • Police find both Spencer and Monique shot dead in their home; their two small children left unharmed but present during the incident.
  • No sign of forced entry, no weapon left behind, and no apparent robbery—immediate suspicion of a targeted double homicide.

Initial Speculation & Early Clues

(15:46–29:30)

• Community Reaction:

  • Widespread media coverage and speculation, particularly about the lack of forced entry—suggesting someone known to the couple.

• Mysterious 911 Call from April 2025:

  • Silent call at 2:45 am traced to their address; caller ultimately identified as not Monique, but fueled online theories about a history of threats or stalking.
  • Quote (Michelle, 21:33):

    “Was someone trying to get help back in April? Was it a previous attempt on their lives?... Was the killer already stalking them eight months earlier?”

• Surveillance Footage Released (Jan 5, 2026):

  • Shows unidentified hooded figure in the alley behind the Tepes’ home between 2–5 am on the morning of the murders.

• Neighbor’s 911 Call (Dec 19, 2025):

  • Someone banging violently on her door at 2:30 am; possible link to suspect scouting the area.

The Suspect Emerges: Michael David McKee

(29:31–53:20)

• Monique’s First Marriage:

  • Married Michael McKee, a vascular surgeon, in 2015. Relationship quickly turned violent—reports of physical abuse, threats.
    • Quote (Michelle quoting witness statement, 32:17):

      “He had told Monique that he could kill her at any time and would find her and buy the house next to her...”

• Divorce and Aftermath:

  • Monique divorces Michael in 2017, rebuilds life, finds happiness with Spencer.
  • McKee’s career continues in various states; evidence later shows professional troubles (malpractice lawsuits) and continued monitoring of Monique.

• Evidence Building:

  • Dec 6, 2025: Surveillance catches Michael on the Tepe property while the couple is out of town, implying prior surveillance or planning.
    • Quote (Michelle, 43:33):

      “He had traveled from his work in Rockford, Illinois to Columbus, Ohio, a journey of approximately 300 miles to surveil his ex-wife’s house.”

  • Monique appears disturbed at the football game in Indianapolis; leaves early, reportedly “upset about something involving her ex husband.”
  • Dec 29–30: Michael intentionally leaves phone in Illinois to build an alibi.
  • Night of murders: Surveillance shows a silver SUV matching Michael’s vehicle arriving near the Tepe home.
  • Ballistics indicate the use of an automatic weapon with suppressor—pointing to premeditation and careful planning.

Arrest, Charges, and Legal Proceedings

(53:21–End)

• Arrest:

  • Jan 10, 2026: Michael McKee apprehended at a Chick-fil-A in Rockford, Illinois, after his car was found at his place of work.
  • Multiple weapons recovered from his property; preliminary link established between one of those and the murder weapon.

• Charging Details:

  • Initially two counts of murder; upgraded to four counts of aggravated murder (two for each victim: prior calculation/design and commission), plus aggravated burglary.

• Legal Status:

  • Extradition hearing: waived, indicating cooperation.
  • Publicly professes intent to plead not guilty; maintains calm demeanor.
  • Quote (Michelle, 56:12):

    “He appeared very calm, showing little to no emotion.”

  • Faces potential life sentence with parole eligibility after 32 years; trial pending.

The Children & Community Response

(1:00:00–End)

• Children’s Welfare:

  • Two Tepe children now being raised by family; relatives committed to maintaining stability and honoring their late parents’ memory.

• Community Mourning:

  • January 11: Celebration of life attended by hundreds, underscoring the deep impact of Monique and Spencer’s kindness and generosity.
    • Quote (Michelle, 1:01:27):

      “Their warmth, their kindness, their love—not only for each other and for their children, but for everyone in their lives. These things are what define them. Not the violence...”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the 911 operator’s dismissive tone:

  • Michelle (11:17):

    “…she literally sounds like she is so annoyed that the calls keep coming in. Instead of thinking, oh, wow, these people are so worried. This is really concerning…”

• On the haunting nature of the crime:

  • Michelle (14:50):

    “The idea that [the children] could have heard those gunshots and knowing that they were inside of that house with their dead parents for hours…it makes me sick to my stomach.”

• On Monique’s fear of Michael:

  • Michelle (32:45):

    “There was a darker, angrier, scarier side to him that ... she grew to be very scared of.”

• On Michael’s intent:

  • Michelle (48:23):

    “The use of that suppressor also explains why neighbors didn’t report hearing gunshots... it also suggests that this was premeditated.”

• Final remarks:

  • Michelle (1:02:10):

    “…the community...are mourning with their family as well as all fighting and awaiting justice on their behalf.”

Key Timestamps for Reference

| Timestamp | Content/Topic | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:29 | Discovery that Spencer hasn’t arrived at work, triggering concern | | 06:51 | Wellness check attempts, police error (wrong address) | | 13:36 | Friend Alex discovers the body, traumatic 911 call | | 15:46 | Initial speculation, no forced entry—targeted homicide theory emerges | | 19:10 | Details of mysterious April 2025 911 call | | 25:40 | Surveillance footage of hooded figure released | | 28:33 | Knocking incident at neighbor’s door, Dec 19, possible suspect scouting | | 29:31 | Introduction of Monique’s ex-husband Michael McKee as a person of interest | | 32:17 | Statements about Michael’s abuse/threats in marriage | | 43:33 | Surveillance places Michael at the Tepe home in early December | | 53:21 | Arrest of Michael McKee, seizure of weapons | | 56:12 | Court appearances, charges, and prospect of trial | | 1:01:27 | Community’s remembrance and mourning |

Tone and Takeaway

Michelle Cuervo’s narration is detailed, empathetic, and candid—centered on honoring the lives of the victims while spotlighting failings in the system, the lingering threat of intimate partner violence, and the ripples of grief and hope that remain for a community. The episode is both an emotional tribute and a cautionary tale about the dangerous afterlife of a toxic relationship.

For listeners newly coming to the story, this episode provides both a thorough factual walkthrough of the case and a heartfelt reminder of the victims as people, not just names in a headline.