The serene setting of upstate New York became the tragic backdrop of an unimaginable crime when 9-year-old Melina Frattolin was found dead just hours after an Amber Alert was issued for her disappearance. The case quickly spiraled into a chilling tale of betrayal and violence, as investigators determined that her father, Luciano Frattolin, had fabricated a kidnapping story and was ultimately charged with her murder.
A Canadian coffee entrepreneur with a seemingly perfect public image, Frattolin’s life unraveled in a matter of hours, leaving behind heartbreak, questions, and a grieving mother now deprived of her only child. Melina Frattolin had been on a vacation in New York with her father, part of an arranged custody visit.
What should have been a joyful summer trip turned into a nightmare. The horrifying discovery of her body, concealed under a log in a remote pond outside Ticonderoga, stunned both the local community and the family’s hometown in Quebec. As more information came to light, the initial picture of a tragic disappearance morphed into something far more sinister.
A Trip That Turned Deadly
The events began to unfold on Saturday evening when Luciano Frattolin called 911, reporting that his daughter had been abducted. According to his account, he had pulled over near Exit 22 on Interstate 87 in Lake George to urinate, and when he returned to the vehicle, Melina was gone. He claimed to have seen a suspicious white van with two men nearby, suggesting that she had been kidnapped. The story prompted authorities to issue an Amber Alert, triggering a search across upstate New York.
But police soon began to notice troubling inconsistencies in Frattolin’s story. Surveillance footage from earlier that evening showed the father and daughter dining together at a restaurant in Saratoga Springs around 5:30 p.m. Melina later called her mother around 6:30 p.m., sounding perfectly fine. The timeline indicated that something went wrong shortly afterward.
By Sunday afternoon, the search came to a devastating end when Melina’s lifeless body was discovered in a shallow waterway outside Ticonderoga. Investigators noted there was no sign of abduction, no suspicious van, and no corroborating evidence to support Frattolin’s claims. As the pieces came together, law enforcement arrested Frattolin and charged him with second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of a body.
From Coffee Mogul to Murder Suspect
Luciano Frattolin, 45, presented a stark contrast between his online persona and the reality behind the scenes. Born in Ethiopia and later establishing himself in Montreal, Frattolin founded Gambella Coffee, a boutique coffee business that reflected his pride in his African roots. On social media, he portrayed a glamorous lifestyle filled with luxury cars, international travel, and stylish outfits.
But beneath the curated images was a man allegedly drowning in debt and clinging to control. Described as a “neat-freak,” Frattolin reportedly lived with mounting financial pressures and unresolved tensions with his ex-wife, from whom he split in 2019. The custody visit with Melina Frattolin had begun on July 11, spanning Connecticut and various parts of New York. It was intended to be a summer bonding trip between father and daughter. Instead, it ended in tragedy.
JUST IN: Video of Luciano Frattolin, 45, who is charged in the death of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin. pic.twitter.com/CzSTcwI6WL
— WNYT NewsChannel 13 (@WNYT) July 21, 2025
When he appeared in Ticonderoga Town Court for his arraignment on Monday, Frattolin cut a very different figure from the stylish entrepreneur he projected online. Dressed in a white disposable Tyvek suit and shackled, he looked disheveled and hollow-eyed. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf, and he only spoke to correct the court on his address and to state that he could not afford legal representation.
The court appearance underscored the contradictions that had now defined the case — a man who flaunted wealth but claimed poverty, who sought to impress strangers online but allegedly murdered his own daughter in cold blood. While the exact motive remains unclear, investigators suspect the killing may have been rooted in emotional or custodial conflicts, potentially linked to the impending return of Melina to her mother.
A Community in Mourning and a Family Shattered
Back in Quebec, the news of Melina Frattolin’s death sent shockwaves through the community. Friends, neighbors, and local organizations expressed their condolences and grief, stunned by the turn of events. Melina had lived with her mother full-time and was described as a bright, loving, and cheerful child. Her death not only devastated her immediate family but also rattled a wider circle of people who knew her as a sweet and intelligent young girl.
Her mother, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, is now facing the unimaginable pain of losing a child — a pain compounded by the knowledge that the suspected perpetrator is the girl’s own father. Authorities confirmed that Frattolin had no prior criminal record or known history of domestic abuse. The revelation made the case even more confounding, as it appeared to come from nowhere, without warning signs.
New York State Police Capt. Robert McConnell told reporters that the fabricated kidnapping story was “thoroughly investigated and refuted,” making it clear that Frattolin’s actions were part of a cover-up rather than a desperate response. The timeline of the events, including the last known restaurant visit and the subsequent phone call between Melina and her mother, painted a clear picture: she was killed sometime between 7:40 p.m. and 9:12 p.m. that Saturday night.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine whether the crime was premeditated or the result of a sudden emotional breakdown. The motive may remain elusive for some time, especially if Frattolin continues to deny involvement. For now, though, he remains in custody at the Essex County Jail, awaiting further legal proceedings.
The case also highlights the darker side of shared custody arrangements, particularly when trust between parents has broken down. While most such visits end without incident, this one has become a stark reminder of the potential for tragedy when emotional and legal complexities intersect with unresolved personal demons.
The Lake George area, typically known for its peaceful natural beauty and family-friendly tourism, was thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Residents expressed horror and sorrow, with many saying they could not imagine such a crime happening in their quiet part of the world.
Meanwhile, Canadian authorities are coordinating with New York State officials to assist with legal and diplomatic processes. Frattolin’s dual ties — his Canadian citizenship and Ethiopian birth — may further complicate extradition or trial logistics down the line.
For Melina’s loved ones, however, the legal process is only a small piece of a much larger grief. They will have to navigate life without the presence of a child who had so much potential and whose life was stolen in the most unthinkable way.
As the case unfolds in court, the public will continue watching, hoping for justice. But no verdict or sentence can undo the tragedy of July 20, when a little girl’s light was extinguished far too soon — not by a stranger, but by the person who was supposed to protect her the most.