News Summary
Luciano Frattolin, a Canadian father, 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 pond. The girl was reported missing during a vacation in New York shortly before her body was discovered. Frattolin’s claims about her disappearance were contradicted by surveillance footage. Authorities are investigating, and a candlelight vigil has been held in her memory as the community mourns this tragic loss.
Ticonderoga, New York – Luciano Frattolin, a 45-year-old Canadian father, has been charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse in connection with the death of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin. Her body was discovered in a shallow pond on July 23, 2023, approximately three days after she was reported missing.
The father and daughter had entered the United States for a planned vacation on July 11, 2023, with a scheduled return to Canada set for July 20. Melina was reported missing by Frattolin, who claimed she was abducted by two men in a white van near Lake George on the afternoon of July 20, leading to the issuance of an Amber Alert.
However, surveillance footage recorded on the same day depicted Frattolin and Melina together in Saratoga Springs at around 5:30 PM, just hours prior to her death. Melina’s last communication was with her mother at approximately 6:30 PM, where she expressed that she was enjoying the vacation and was preparing to return home. Later that evening, around 10 PM, Frattolin called 911 to report her missing, alleging that he had stopped to urinate and discovered Melina was gone when he returned to the vehicle.
Investigators quickly identified inconsistencies in Frattolin’s account, leading them to believe that the narrative he provided was fabricated. On July 23, 2023, Melina’s body was found concealed under a log in a remote wooded area, prompting further inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Frattolin, who holds partial custody of Melina, had informed her mother about the trip to New York. However, he is currently facing significant financial difficulties, reportedly over $200,000 in debt, which includes unpaid business loans and child support obligations. Despite these challenges, social media accounts attributed to him showed a contrasting image of a lavish lifestyle, featuring exotic locations and luxury vehicles, which raises questions regarding his financial claims.
In the wake of his daughter’s death, Frattolin had described Melina as the “light of his life” on his coffee company’s website, where he also alluded to past personal traumas and experiences that complicate his life. Court records indicate he has no history of mental illness or domestic violence and does not have previous criminal charges.
Frattolin has entered a not-guilty plea and is currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility. A felony hearing is scheduled for July 25. Authorities are awaiting autopsy results to determine the precise cause of Melina’s death. During her last call to her mother, Melina was reported to be in good health and displaying no signs of distress, leading her mother to have no immediate concerns for her safety.
A candlelight vigil has been organized in Ticonderoga to honor Melina’s memory as the community processes this tragic event.
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Additional Resources
- NBC 5
- Wikipedia: Ticonderoga, New York
- New York Post
- Google Search: Melina Frattolin
- Syracuse.com
- Google News: Luciano Frattolin arrest
- People
- Google Scholar: Luciano Frattolin
- KCRA
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ticonderoga
