What began as a summer getaway for a Canadian father and his young daughter turned into a devastating and deeply disturbing case of alleged murder.
Instead of returning to Quebec on Sunday as planned, nine-year-old Melina Frattolin’s life came to a tragic end in the forests of upstate New York—allegedly at the hands of her own father.
Father Accused of Faking Kidnapping and Dumping Body in Pond
Luciano Frattolin, a 45-year-old Montreal-based CEO and founder of an organic coffee brand, now stands accused of killing his daughter and staging a fake abduction to cover it up.
Authorities say he told police two men in a white van had kidnapped Melina while they were near Lake George.
He claimed she was taken while he briefly stepped into the woods.
But state police soon found holes in his story—and Melina’s body was found the next day.
Heartbreaking Discovery Shatters Father’s Story
New York State Police said the call came in Saturday night.
Frattolin claimed his daughter was taken on a highway near Lake George, about 60 miles north of Albany.
An Amber Alert was issued that night around 10 p.m. as police believed the child was in “imminent danger.”
By Sunday afternoon, that hope was gone.
Around 2 p.m., forest rangers discovered Melina’s body lying in shallow water in a remote pond in Ticonderoga—roughly 45 miles south of where she was said to have disappeared.
Timeline Doesn’t Add Up, Say Investigators
During a press conference on Monday, Captain Robert McConnell of the New York State Police explained that investigators quickly noticed “inconsistencies” in Frattolin’s account.
Surveillance footage and phone records played a major role in piecing together the truth.
At 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Melina was seen alive and well on security cameras in Saratoga Springs.
An hour later, she spoke to her mother on the phone, telling her they were headed back to Canada.
Police now believe Melina was killed shortly after that call and before her father’s 911 report later that evening.
Estranged Mother Was Expecting Her Daughter Back
Melina’s mother—who has been separated from Frattolin since 2019—was waiting for her daughter’s return in Montreal.
According to police, Melina lived with her full-time and visited her father without restrictions.
Frattolin had no previous criminal history, and nothing suggested that something like this could happen.
Frattolin Pleads Not Guilty in Court Appearance
On Monday, Frattolin appeared in shackles and a white jumpsuit at Ticonderoga Town Court.
He pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse.
He remains in custody at Essex County Correctional Facility.
No Evidence of Real Kidnapping, Say Police
According to Captain McConnell, Frattolin’s claim about a suspicious white van and two mysterious men never checked out.
There were no signs of forced abduction and no witnesses.
Investigators ultimately ruled there was no threat to the public—because they believe the father made the entire story up.
Autopsy Results Pending as Investigation Continues
The cause of Melina’s death is still unknown pending the results of her autopsy, which was scheduled for Monday.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, but for now, the charges reflect the belief that the child’s death was not accidental and that her father tried to cover it up.
Who Is Luciano Frattolin?
Before this horrifying turn of events, Frattolin was best known for founding Gambella, an organic coffee brand.
According to his company’s website, he’s a seasoned entrepreneur with a multicultural background—Ethiopian mother, Italian father—and a childhood that spanned both Africa and Europe.
His upbringing in both the coffee plantations of Ethiopia and the architecture of Milan supposedly shaped his worldview and business.
Police Express Sympathy for Victim’s Family
Captain McConnell concluded Monday’s press conference by offering his heartfelt condolences to Melina’s loved ones.
“This is certainly a difficult case and a heartbreaking investigation,” he said.
For now, what was supposed to be a peaceful summer holiday has become a haunting story of loss, betrayal, and unanswered questions.