Cassie Ball

Much of the house besides the kitchen remained accessible. So Poole thought Melissa could have found a way out.

Much of the house besides the kitchen remained accessible. So Poole thought Melissa could have found a way out.

Much of the house besides the kitchen remained accessible. So Poole thought Melissa could have found a way out.

While Poole was inspecting the house, investigators talked with the Lamish family. Ketter learned about the phone call that day between Melissa and Cassie that Melissa ended when Matthew Plody arrived at the house.

While Poole was inspecting the house, investigators talked with the Lamish family. Ketter learned about the phone call that day between Melissa and Cassie that Melissa ended when Matthew Plody arrived at the house.

While Poole was inspecting the house, investigators talked with the Lamish family. Ketter learned about the phone call that day between Melissa and Cassie that Melissa ended when Matthew Plody arrived at the house.

Melissa's brother Carl told investigators he had already spoken on the phone to Plody, telling him he knew he had been at the house that day. Carl also told Plody about the fire and that someone had died, but not that it was Melissa. Investigators did that when they asked Plody to come in for an interview that evening.

Melissa's brother Carl told investigators he had already spoken on the phone to Plody, telling him he knew he had been at the house that day. Carl also told Plody about the fire and that someone had died, but not that it was Melissa. Investigators did that when they asked Plody to come in for an interview that evening.

Melissa's brother Carl told investigators he had already spoken on the phone to Plody, telling him he knew he had been at the house that day. Carl also told Plody about the fire and that someone had died, but not that it was Melissa. Investigators did that when they asked Plody to come in for an interview that evening.

As you watched his interview, what did you think about his demeanor, his responses?

As you watched his interview, what did you think about his demeanor, his responses?

As you watched his interview, what did you think about his demeanor, his responses?

In that interview, Matthew made a reference to a deadline when explaining his decision to go to the house that day. It was a phrase that investigators didn't quite know how to interpret. Was Matthew a suspect at that point?

In that interview, Matthew made a reference to a deadline when explaining his decision to go to the house that day. It was a phrase that investigators didn't quite know how to interpret. Was Matthew a suspect at that point?

In that interview, Matthew made a reference to a deadline when explaining his decision to go to the house that day. It was a phrase that investigators didn't quite know how to interpret. Was Matthew a suspect at that point?

What are the next steps in the investigation?

What are the next steps in the investigation?

What are the next steps in the investigation?

To get those answers, two autopsies would be performed, one two days after Melissa's death and then another about two weeks later while lab work was completed. The results? Normal carbon monoxide levels and no soot was found in her system. What was found was evidence of strangulation, including hemorrhages around her neck. Melissa, it was determined, had been murdered.

To get those answers, two autopsies would be performed, one two days after Melissa's death and then another about two weeks later while lab work was completed. The results? Normal carbon monoxide levels and no soot was found in her system. What was found was evidence of strangulation, including hemorrhages around her neck. Melissa, it was determined, had been murdered.