Arrest, charges issued in relation to murder of Melissa Lamesch and unborn child

Matthew T. Plote accused of strangling Lamesch, setting fire to hide death

March 10, 2022 at 11:07 am CST

Ogle County State's Attorney Mike Rock announced first degree murder charges against Matthew T. Plote, 34, of Malta, for the November 2020 murder of Melissa Lamesch, 27, of Mt. Morris and her unborn child during a press conference on Wednesday. Lamesch was 9 months pregnant when she died Nov. 25, 2020 following a fire in their home in Mt. Morris. Her baby was due Nov. 28. Also pictured is Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle.

OREGON – A Malta man was arrested Wednesday for the 2020 murder of a Mount Morris woman and her unborn child.

Matthew T. Plote, 34, of Malta is facing multiple counts of first-degree murder and intentional homicide of Melissa Lamesch, 27, and her unborn child and one count each of residential arson, aggravated domestic battery and concealment of a homicidal death.

According to the arrest warrant, Plote strangled Lamesch then set fire to her house Nov. 25, 2020, in Mount Morris to conceal the death.

Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock said Plote was issued a $10 million bond and would be required to post $1 million to be released. As of about 1 p.m. Wednesday, Plote had not posted bond, Rock said.

Watch shawlocal.com/ogle-county-news for updates.

Matthew T. Plote, 34, of Malta, Illinois has been charged for the murder of Melissa Lamesch, 27, of Mt. Morris, Illinois and her unborn child in November 2020. — Matthew T. Plote, 34, of Malta, Illinois is charged in the murder of Melissa Lamesch, 27, of Mt. Morris, and her unborn child in November 2020. (Supplied by the Ogle County Sheriff's Office)

Melissa Lamesch and her unborn son died Nov. 25, 2020, at her home in Mt. Morris. A Malta man has been charged with their murders. — Melissa Lamesch and her unborn baby died Nov. 25, 2020, following a fire at her home in Mt. Morris. A Malta man is charged with their murders.

Alexa Zoellner

Alexa Zoellner covers Ogle County for the Oregon Republican Reporter, Forreston Journal, Mt. Morris Times and Polo Tri-County Press. She has seven-plus years of experience in journalism and has won numerous awards, including a first place award for investigative reporting from the WNA.