Illinois surgeon Michael David McKee evaded a medical malpractice lawsuit for years earlier than he allegedly killed his ex-wife and her dentist husband of their Ohio house in December.
McKee, a 39-year-old vascular surgeon, allegedly failed to coach a doctor’s assistant, resulting in a affected person being injured throughout therapy and needing emergency surgical procedure in 2023, in line with Las Vegas-based lawyer Dan Laird, in line with WSYX on Tuesday.
Laird mentioned he was duped throughout his two-year pursuit of McKee when the suspected double-murderer’s surgical procedure group allegedly handed out faux addresses and “questionable” state-issued cellphone numbers.
“Curiously, the deal with that was given to us by the surgical procedure group that he labored for turned out to be a faux deal with,” Laird advised the outlet, referencing Las Vegas Surgical Associates LLP. “It was an deal with that doesn’t exist.”
McKee was named within the medical malpractice swimsuit from a consumer of the surgical group after a process allegedly went mistaken, requiring the affected person to endure an emergency surgical procedure, in line with KSNV, citing courtroom information.
Laird claimed that McKee failed to coach a doctor’s assistant, which led to the affected person’s harm.
McKee held a medical license in Nevada for simply over two years earlier than it expired final June — six months earlier than he allegedly killed his ex-wife, Monique Tepe and her husband, Spencer.
The Nevada lawyer was mystified over McKee’s disappearance, claiming it was not regular for docs to fade.
“They are usually extremely accountable folks,” he advised WSYX. “They’re not the type of people that simply disappeared instantly, and this was very stunning to us.”
In October, Laird reached out to McKee’s colleagues, together with Dr. Peter Caravella, who was named alongside the surgeon within the lawsuit, throughout his seek for the lacking docs simply months earlier than the ugly murders
“He mentioned he has no concept the place Dr. Michael McKee is now,” Laird recalled. “He simply disappeared.”
A decide sided with Laird and granted a declaration of due diligence, which allowed McKee to be notified of the lawsuit by a newspaper discover.
The newspaper discover, a uncommon kind of lawsuit serving, is granted when a defendant “has departed from the state, or can’t, after due diligence, be discovered throughout the state or conceals himself to keep away from being served,” in accordance to Clark County Authorized Information.
Extra protection on the deaths of the slain Ohio dentist and his spouse
McKee is dealing with two counts of aggravated homicide for the Dec. 30 deadly shootings of the Tepes.
The couple was found of their Columbus, Ohio house and is believed to have died between 2 and 5 a.m.
McKee, who was married to Monique for two-years earlier than their divorce in 2017, was arrested in Rockford, Illinois.
He attended the Ohio State College, graduating from the School of Medication and obtained his medical license within the state in 2014 on the age of 28, in line with USA At this time.
After his divorce he obtained his medical license in Virginia the place he accomplished his residency at Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic.
He then obtained his licenses in three states, Caifornia, Maryland and Nevada by 2023.
McKee was later given his Illinois medical license in 2024.
He was employed by OSF Saint Anthony in Rockford when he allegedly trekked over 300 miles to Ohio to carryout the heinous killings.
“OSF is cooperating with authorities who will present additional info,” a spokesperson for the faith-based Catholic follow mentioned in a press release to The Publish Tuesday evening.
The medical group didn’t affirm whether or not the suspected gunman was nonetheless employed — however no physician profile for him seems on its web site.
Spencer and Monique Tepe had been killed simply shy of their five-year anniversary.
If discovered responsible, McKee may now face a most sentence of life in jail with no risk of parole.
He might be handed the dying penalty underneath the aggravated homicide expenses, though Ohio hasn’t executed an inmate since 2018.
