Luciano Frattolin, 45, has been charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse after the body of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin, was found in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga, New York. The two had traveled from Montreal for a vacation, and Melina was set to return to her mother’s care on Sunday. Authorities say Luciano initially claimed Melina had been abducted, but conflicting stories raised suspicions early in the investigation.
Surveillance footage from Saturday showed Melina dining calmly at a restaurant in Saratoga Springs and later speaking with her mother by phone. Just hours after that call, Luciano reported her missing near Lake George. Law enforcement launched a search, but inconsistencies in his timeline, including false reports of a white van and supposed kidnappers, led investigators to question his account. On Sunday afternoon, Melina’s body was found hidden under a log in a pond.
An autopsy listed her cause of death as asphyxia due to drowning, and the manner of death as homicide. Authorities believe the incident occurred between her last phone call and her father’s 911 report. Luciano, who has no prior criminal record, pleaded not guilty and remains in custody. His felony hearing is scheduled for July 25.
Melina’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief and outrage online. Many have expressed heartbreak and disbelief, while calling for justice. Luciano, known in Canada as a coffee entrepreneur who often shared messages about family and fatherhood, now faces the devastating consequences of a case that began as a missing child alert and evolved into a tragic criminal investigation.