‘48 Hours’ episode details 2020 murder of Mt. Morris woman
(WIFR) - CBS true-crime series 48 Hours will air an episode titled The Firefighter’s Secret, which dives into the murder of 27-year-old Melissa Lamesch at the hands of 36-year-old Matthew Plote.
On November 27, 2020, Lamesch was found dead in her burning home in the 200 block of S. Hannah Avenue in Mt. Morris. At the time of her death, she was days away from giving birth.
Investigators say Plote, a former firefighter, and Lamesch had been involved, and she became pregnant. In police questioning, he admitted to being in the Lamesch’s home the day of her death but that she was alive when he left.
An autopsy of Lamesch’s body revealed there were no signs of smoke inhalation, indicating she had died before the fire was set. In fact, a coroner discovered signs of injury that correlate with strangulation.
During trial, prosecutors claimed Plote had kept the pregnancy a secret from his family. The state argued Plote did not want to be a father.
“He did not care about Melissa or her baby,” Ogle County Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kruse tells 48 Hours.
Kruse and her associates also argued the fire was Plote’s attempt to cover up the murder. This is an act Plote’s former Carol Stream Fire District Chief Rob Schultz says goes against what it means to be a firefighter.
“We put fires out. We don’t start fires,” Chief Schultz said to 48 Hours. “We help people. We don’t hurt people.”
It was a cold day in March 2024 when a jury ruled that Plote was guilty on all 10 charges, including first-degree murder and residential arson. In June, Plote was not only sentenced to life in prison but an additional 60 years for the homicide of the unborn child and 15 years for arson.
Lamesch’s mom, Deanna, told WIFR that the verdict and sentence were a light at the end of a dark tunnel.
“To actually hear that is what he will serve as a sentence, is a little bit of relief,” Deanna said. “Just because of all of our pain and trauma.”
The Firefighter’s Secret airs at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 on CBS.
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