(NewsNation) — Revelations that a Chicago man charged in the killings of an Ohio couple was once married to victim Monique Tepe suggest a “deep-seated resentment and hatred” had festered for years, a former FBI special agent says.
The bodies of Monique and Spencer Tepe were found Dec. 30 as police officers conducted a well-being check at the couple’s Columbus residence. Their young children and dog were unharmed, and there was no sign of forced entry.
The suspect that authorities arrested over the weekend, Michael McKee, had been married to Monique Tepe from 2015 to 2017, records indicate.
“This divorce happened about nine years ago. They were married for such a brief time,” Jennifer Coffindaffer, law and justice contributor, told “NewsNation Prime” on Sunday. “That is strange, but I think it was a deep-seated resentment and hate that just built up and finally came to this conclusion.”
Investigators reportedly zeroed in on McKee, 39, after tracking a vehicle that had been parked in the neighborhood at the time of the killings to Rockford, Illinois. McKee, a vascular surgeon, is being held in Winnebago County and is slated to appear in court Monday. Authorities were expected to begin extradition proceedings.
Coffindaffer said the motive in the case always seemed personal to her. The accused killer likely studied the Tepes and obtained the passcode that unlocked their door, she said.
“They had staked out the location well. It was also very clear they knew where the camera locations were because they evaded a lot of camera coverage, it would seem,” she said.
Funeral services were held Sunday for the Tepes.