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."
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