Based on a terrible true incident, Melanie McGuire was an outstanding reproductive nurse, married to her ex-Navy husband Bill, and the devoted mother of two sons. Melanie commits the unimaginable when she falls in love with a doctor at her clinic, Brad, and becomes embroiled in a passionate affair. After drugging and murdering Bill, she dismembers him and tosses his body pieces in three suitcases into Chesapeake Bay. However, when the suitcases are discovered on the shores of Virginia Beach, an inquiry is begun in which Melanie is the main suspect. Melanie, despite being convicted, continues to assert her innocence despite the attempts of assistant attorney general Patti Prezioso to bring her to justice.