An Illinois grand jury this week indicted a man for killing his girlfriend and her unborn child and setting fire to the house to hide the crime in November 2020.

Matthew T. Plote, 34, has been charged with first degree murder, premeditated first degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child, residential arson, aggravated domestic battery, and concealment of a homicidal death, according to the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office.

He appeared in court on Wednesday and was been ordered held on a $10 million bond.

The arrest warrant said that Plote strangled Melissa Lamesch, 27, to death on November 25, 2020, before setting the fire, the Shaw Local News Network said.

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[Featured image: Matthew T. Plote/Ogle County Sheriff’s Office]

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