A YOUNG WOMAN IS FOUND DEAD IN HER BURNING HOME - WAS A KILLER TRYING TO COVER HIS TRACKS?

"48 Hours" Reports in "The Firefighter's Secret"

Saturday, Nov. 30 at 10:00 PM, ET/PT

On Thanksgiving Eve in 2020, a horrifying scene unfolded in Mt. Morris, Ill. The home of 27-year-old Melissa Lamesch was engulfed in flames. Inside, firefighters discovered Lamesch's lifeless body on the kitchen floor. Initially, it was not clear if the fire killed her, and the investigation would uncover secrets.

48 HOURS and contributor Nikki Battiste report on Lamesch's tragic death and the revelations that followed in "The Firefighter's Secret," airing on Saturday, Nov. 30 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.

Lamesch was a devoted EMT and was looking forward to becoming a mother. She had been in a casual relationship with Matthew Plote, a firefighter, who was trained to save lives. But could he have set the fire to hide a murder? In the episode, lead investigator Brian Ketter of the Ogle County Sheriff's Office recalls the early uncertainty. "We couldn't tell if it was intentional or accidental," he continues, "We didn't know what happened to her."

48 HOURS takes viewers through the investigation into Lamesch's death. Authorities pieced together a story of a cover-up, ultimately leading to the arrest of Plote. A jury convicted Plote on several counts, including murder and arson.

And at 9:00 PM, ET/PT, after their daughter's violent death, a mother and stepfather track down the suspect's car for answers. Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports in an encore of 48 HOURS: "For the Love of Cayley Mandadi."

Judy Tygard is the executive producer of 48 HOURS. Watch 48 HOURS on CBS News 24/7, CBSNews.com, Paramount+ and YouTube. The 48 HOURS free, advertiser-supported streaming (FAST) channel is available on Pluto TV, Paramount + and Paramount partner channels. Download the CBS News app on your phone or connected TV. Follow 48 HOURS on X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Listen to the 48 HOURS collection of original podcasts at CBS Audio.