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

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.
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.
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.
Alexa Zoellner

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.