Illinois firefighter accused of staging a house fire to cover up a murder — and a secret
CBSN
This story originally aired on Nov. 30, 2024. It was updated on Jan. 31, 2026. In:
This story originally aired on Nov. 30, 2024. It was updated on Jan. 31, 2026.
Before the fire that set Melissa Lamesch's home ablaze on Nov. 25, 2020, the day had started with excited anticipation. Melissa was due to give birth to a baby boy in just two days, and Thanksgiving was a day away.
Cassie Baal: She was gonna have a nice private Thanksgiving with dad. So, I gave her a call the morning of the 25th and we talked for about two-and-a-half hours.
Cassie Baal and her sister Melissa had lots to chat about.
Cassie Baal: We talked a lot about the future. We talked about what was gonna come with the baby. … The conversation ended because she looked outside the window. … She said, "you gotta be kidding me."… She's like, "he's freaking here again. I told him he's gotta stop doing this."
Democrat Christian Menefee won a Texas U.S. House seat in a special election Saturday that will narrow Republicans' already-slim majority, telling President Trump that the Democratic district "topples corrupt presidencies." In:
Crystal Sale: I walk into the hospital … saw my daughter there … And I watched them do CPR and … I'll never forget that. TINA HOPKINS (TikTok): … my niece was murdered. We don't have hardly any information. TINA HOPKINS (TikTok): There is an ongoing investigation … JACOB PIERCY (911 call): One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four. TINA HOPKINS (TikTok): He was actually sitting in the parking lot of her apartment, watching everything Katlyn was doing. CRYSTAL SALE (TikTok): I woke up this morning in sheer panic. CRYSTAL SALE (TikTok): I'll get a text message. And for an instant, I'll think that it's Katlyn. CRYSTAL SALE (TikTok) We now have a new court date. … This one should be it, and I pray to God that it is. LEILA MITCHELL | (TikTok): Today the jury will be told that they can either find Trenton Frye guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder. Or they can find him not guilty at all. SHERRY COX (TikTok): All of our nerves are on edge … So, wish us all luck today. It's gonna be rough. CRYSTAL SALE (TikTok): I think everyone that has lost their lives to domestic violence, their names need to be said. CRYSTAL SALE (TikTok): I don't want another mother, another family to go through what we're going through. I have to be my daughter's voice and I have to help save other women.
This story originally aired on Nov. 30, 2024. It was updated on Jan. 31, 2026. In:
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