Court filings reveal a chilling backstory — the slain wife of an Ohio dentist divorced her ex-husband years before her death, citing that they were “incompatible,” a detail now resurfacing as he faces murder charges. What once read like routine legal language has taken on haunting weight. The separation, finalized long before the killings, painted a picture of a marriage that simply could not work. Now, as prosecutors lay out their case, those quiet words from the past are being reexamined under a far darker light. In Ohio, a domestic history thought closed has become central to a case that is forcing investigators — and the public — to question what was really unfolding behind closed doors.

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Slain Wife of Ohio Dentist Divorced Ex-Husband — Now Charged with Murders — Because They Were ‘Incompatible’: Filings

Monique and Spencer Tepe were found slain in their home on Dec. 30, sparking an investigation that resulted in the arrest of Monique’s ex-husband

Michael David McKee, 39 currently in custody at the Winnebago County Jail in Rockford, Illinois. He is the ex-husband of Monique Tepe; Monique Tepe
Michael David McKee (left); and Monique Tepe.Credit : Winnabago County Sheriff’s Office; Courtesy of Rob Misleh

NEED TO KNOW

  • Divorce filings show Monique Tepe, formerly Monique Sabaturski, was briefly married to Michael David McKee more than a decade ago
  • After their divorce, Monique married Spencer Tepe in 2020, and the couple would go on to have two children
  • McKee was arrested in Illinois over the weekend in connection with Monique and Spencer’s fatal shooting

The Ohio woman found slain last month along with her dentist husband divorced her previous husband because they were “incompatible” — and now the ex-husband is charged with murdering the couple.

Monique, 39, and Spencer Tepe, 37, were found fatally shot in their Columbus, Ohio, home on Dec. 30.

On Saturday, Jan. 10, 39-year-old Monique’s ex-husband Michael David McKee was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, which have since been upgraded to charges of aggravated murder. His public defender said at a Jan. 12 court appearance that McKee plans to plead not guilty.

The Tepes’ killings came nearly a decade after Monique divorced McKee, according to records reviewed by PEOPLE.

Court filings show Monique, who then went by her maiden name Sabaturski, married McKee in August 2015.

In June 2017, Monique filed for divorce, saying that the couple was “incompatible,” the records show. At the time, they were living separately.

The former couple did not have any children together.

Monique Tepe and Spencer Tepe dentist, wife found murdered at home
Monique Tepe and Spencer Tepe.Courtesy of Rob Misleh

A friend previously told PEOPLE the Tepes wed five years ago and were still “madly in love.”

They had two children, ages 4 and 1, who were inside the residence when the couple was found deceased.

A friend who called 911 to request a welfare check said he could hear the children crying inside the residence as he waited outside.

The children are now in the care of the extended family.

A motive behind the killings is not clear.

McKee waived his right to an extradition hearing during a court appearance Monday, Jan. 12, clearing the way for him to be extradited to Franklin County, Ohio, where the killings took place.

In a statement, McKee’s employer OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center said on Monday they are cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

It wasn’t immediately clear if he has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.