Cassie Ball

Melissa liked to reinvent herself through hairstyles and careers. Most recently, the 27-year-old had been working as an EMT.

You're proud.

You're proud.

You're proud.

As her due date neared, Melissa had to stop working. To make things easier, she moved into her childhood home with her dad. Her parents had divorced several years earlier. Melissa grew increasingly excited about becoming a mom, even though she and Matthew had little contact.

As her due date neared, Melissa had to stop working. To make things easier, she moved into her childhood home with her dad. Her parents had divorced several years earlier. Melissa grew increasingly excited about becoming a mom, even though she and Matthew had little contact.

As her due date neared, Melissa had to stop working. To make things easier, she moved into her childhood home with her dad. Her parents had divorced several years earlier. Melissa grew increasingly excited about becoming a mom, even though she and Matthew had little contact.

Matthew wasn't just shutting out Melissa. He kept the fact he was going to be a father a secret, including from his co-workers and Chief Rob Schultz at the Carroll Stream Fire District, several counties away from Melissa's home.

Matthew wasn't just shutting out Melissa. He kept the fact he was going to be a father a secret, including from his co-workers and Chief Rob Schultz at the Carroll Stream Fire District, several counties away from Melissa's home.

Matthew wasn't just shutting out Melissa. He kept the fact he was going to be a father a secret, including from his co-workers and Chief Rob Schultz at the Carroll Stream Fire District, several counties away from Melissa's home.

Even Matthew's own parents did not know about the pregnancy until Melissa told them.

Even Matthew's own parents did not know about the pregnancy until Melissa told them.

Even Matthew's own parents did not know about the pregnancy until Melissa told them.

How did Melissa say his parents responded to the news of a grandson?

How did Melissa say his parents responded to the news of a grandson?

How did Melissa say his parents responded to the news of a grandson?

Melissa celebrated the upcoming birth with family and friends at a baby shower. She had let everyone know she was having a boy. It was a happy time, until nearly two months later on that fateful Thanksgiving Eve. It was just all so surreal. While Melissa's family tried to process their loss, investigators were hoping to provide them with answers about what had happened.

Melissa celebrated the upcoming birth with family and friends at a baby shower. She had let everyone know she was having a boy. It was a happy time, until nearly two months later on that fateful Thanksgiving Eve. It was just all so surreal. While Melissa's family tried to process their loss, investigators were hoping to provide them with answers about what had happened.

Melissa celebrated the upcoming birth with family and friends at a baby shower. She had let everyone know she was having a boy. It was a happy time, until nearly two months later on that fateful Thanksgiving Eve. It was just all so surreal. While Melissa's family tried to process their loss, investigators were hoping to provide them with answers about what had happened.

Brian Ketter, then the lead detective at the Ogle County Sheriff's Office, headed to the kitchen where Melissa had been found.