Cassie Ball

When Carroll Stream Fire Chief Rob Schultz returned the call, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

When Carroll Stream Fire Chief Rob Schultz returned the call, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

It was now nine months since Melissa Lamish's death in a house fire that had sent shockwaves through the community in Mount Morris, where her home was located. But firefighters where Matthew Plody worked in Carroll Stream, about 75 miles away, were unaware of the fire. Plody had said nothing. When you heard the name Matthew Plody in that call, what did you think?

It was now nine months since Melissa Lamish's death in a house fire that had sent shockwaves through the community in Mount Morris, where her home was located. But firefighters where Matthew Plody worked in Carroll Stream, about 75 miles away, were unaware of the fire. Plody had said nothing. When you heard the name Matthew Plody in that call, what did you think?

It was now nine months since Melissa Lamish's death in a house fire that had sent shockwaves through the community in Mount Morris, where her home was located. But firefighters where Matthew Plody worked in Carroll Stream, about 75 miles away, were unaware of the fire. Plody had said nothing. When you heard the name Matthew Plody in that call, what did you think?

But that disbelief started to change when Chief Schultz checked to see if Plody worked the day of the fire and learned he had called out sick.

But that disbelief started to change when Chief Schultz checked to see if Plody worked the day of the fire and learned he had called out sick.

But that disbelief started to change when Chief Schultz checked to see if Plody worked the day of the fire and learned he had called out sick.

The fire chief's sinking feeling only got worse when he learned that investigators believed Matthew killed Melissa and their unborn child because he did not want to be a father. and then set the house on fire in hopes of destroying evidence.

The fire chief's sinking feeling only got worse when he learned that investigators believed Matthew killed Melissa and their unborn child because he did not want to be a father. and then set the house on fire in hopes of destroying evidence.

The fire chief's sinking feeling only got worse when he learned that investigators believed Matthew killed Melissa and their unborn child because he did not want to be a father. and then set the house on fire in hopes of destroying evidence.

Did you ask him why he hadn't mentioned it?

Did you ask him why he hadn't mentioned it?

Did you ask him why he hadn't mentioned it?

While on leave on August 28, 2021, Matthew Plody was called in again for questioning.

While on leave on August 28, 2021, Matthew Plody was called in again for questioning.

While on leave on August 28, 2021, Matthew Plody was called in again for questioning.

Plody willingly appeared without an attorney.

Plody willingly appeared without an attorney.

Plody willingly appeared without an attorney.