A Firefighter's Secret: Murder and Arson Charges in Illinois EMT's Death
MT. MORRIS, Ill. — In a quiet Illinois town on the eve of Thanksgiving 2020, what first appeared to be a tragic house fire quickly unraveled into a chilling homicide investigation. The victim: 27-year-old Melissa Lamesch, a dedicated emergency medical technician who was just two days from her due date.
First responders discovered Lamesch's body near the kitchen oven. While initial reports suggested a possible cooking accident, forensic evidence told a different story. An autopsy revealed signs of strangulation and no soot in her lungs—indicating she was dead before the flames took hold. Investigators soon ruled the fire an intentional act of arson.
The investigation zeroed in on 33-year-old Matthew Plote, a firefighter-paramedic from the Carol Stream Fire District and the expectant father of Lamesch's child. According to prosecutors, Plote had concealed the pregnancy from his family, colleagues, and friends—a stark departure from the typically open culture of firehouse life.
"We live together 24 hours a day during shifts. You share everything—the good and the bad," said Fire Chief Rob Schultz in an interview. "For someone to hide something this significant... it immediately raised flags."
Lamesch's sister, Cassie Baal, described her sibling's optimism about co-parenting despite Plote's apparent reluctance. "She believed he would come around. She even sent him sonograms," Baal recalled. "But his distance turned to something far darker."
Prosecutors allege Plote's motive was preserving his lifestyle. "He was banking on this child never being born," stated Ogle County Assistant State's Attorney Allison Huntley. Plote was arrested in March 2022 and charged with murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child, and arson.
While Plote admitted to visiting Lamesch's home that day—claiming they discussed financial plans and that she was alive when he left—prosecutors contend he strangled her and set the fire to mask the crime. "The scene was staged to look like a cooking accident," explained ASA Heather Kruse. "But the evidence didn't add up."
The case has reverberated through first responder circles, where the betrayal of ethos feels particularly acute. "Our oath is to protect and serve," Chief Schultz noted. "This isn't just a crime—it's a violation of everything we stand for."
Community Reaction:
David Chen, 42, retired police officer: "This case shows how dangerous secrets can become. In emergency services, trust is everything—and he shattered it."
Rebecca Moore, 38, nurse and local resident: "Melissa was my colleague. She was so excited to be a mom. The cruelty here is just... unimaginable. That baby never had a chance."
Gregory Bovino, 55, former prosecutor (volatile): "They should throw the whole book at him. A firefighter committing arson? A paramedic killing a mother and child? It's not just murder—it's a grotesque parody of his uniform. He dishonored every badge."
Anita Sharma, 36, social worker: "The systemic lesson here is about supporting individuals in crisis. Was there no one he felt he could talk to? That doesn't excuse his actions, but it might have prevented them."
An encore presentation of "48 Hours" investigation into the case, "The Firefighter's Secret," airs Saturday at 9/8c on CBS and streams on Paramount+.