The body of nine-year-old Melina Frattolin was discovered in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga, New York, on July 20, 2025, ending a frantic search that began with an Amber Alert the previous evening. Her father, 45-year-old Luciano Frattolin of Montreal, has been charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse in connection with her death.
According to preliminary autopsy results released by New York State Police, Melina died from asphyxia due to drowning, and her death has been classified as a homicide. The autopsy was conducted at Glens Falls Hospital, with final results pending further laboratory testing.
The investigation began on the evening of July 19 when Luciano Frattolin called 911 around 10 p.m., reporting that his daughter had been abducted from a parking area near Lake George. He initially told authorities that two men had forced Melina into a white van while he had stepped away from their vehicle to urinate. This report prompted officials to issue an Amber Alert seeking public assistance in locating the missing child.
However, investigators quickly identified inconsistencies in Frattolin’s account of events. Police determined there was no evidence that an abduction had occurred and concluded that the father had fabricated the entire kidnapping story. The Amber Alert was subsequently canceled as authorities shifted their investigation focus.
A massive search operation involving multiple agencies located Melina’s body on Sunday afternoon, July 20. New York State Forest Rangers led the search effort, which included State Police K-9 and aviation units, the Essex and Warren County sheriff’s offices, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Ticonderoga Police Department. The girl’s body was found concealed under a log in the shallow portion of a pond in a wooded area off State Route 74.
According to police, Melina and her father had entered the United States legally on July 11 for a planned vacation in New York. The pair had visited multiple locations, including New York City and Connecticut, and were scheduled to return to Montreal on July 20. Surveillance footage from a restaurant in Saratoga Springs showed Melina alive with her father around 5:30 p.m. on July 19.
Approximately one hour after the surveillance footage was recorded, Melina spoke with her mother by telephone around 6:30 p.m. During this conversation, she told her mother that she and her father were en route back to Canada. Police indicated that the child appeared to be in good health during the call and showed no signs of distress.
New York State Police Captain Robert McConnell provided details about the timeline during a press conference on July 21. “The investigation has determined sometime after Melina’s phone call with her mother and before Mr. Frattolin’s 911 call he allegedly murdered Melina,” McConnell stated during the briefing.
Luciano Frattolin was arrested during the search operation and appeared in Ticonderoga Town Court on Monday, July 21, where he pleaded not guilty to both charges. He is being held at the Essex County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on July 25 for a felony hearing.
Police revealed that Melina lived full-time with her mother in Montreal, while her parents had been estranged since 2019. Despite their separation, Melina’s mother had been aware of the vacation plans and had no concerns about her daughter’s safety with her father. Authorities confirmed that Frattolin had no prior criminal record and no history of domestic violence or mental health issues.
According to his social media profiles and business website, Frattolin described himself as a loving father and was listed as a founder of Gambella Coffee, a Montreal-based company. On his now-archived website, he had referred to Melina as the light of his life.
As the investigation continues, State Police are seeking assistance from the public. Authorities are specifically requesting any video footage or eyewitness accounts of the gray 2024 Toyota Prius that Frattolin and his daughter were traveling in between July 11 and July 19, particularly during the evening of July 19 between exits 20 and 28 on the Northway. The potential motive for the crime remains under investigation.
A candlelight vigil was held for Melina in Ticonderoga on Tuesday evening as the community mourned the loss of the young girl. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact New York State Police at 518-873-2750 or submit tips via email to crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.
