Luciano Frattolin is a Montreal-based entrepreneur who has been arrested in the murder case of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Galanis Frattolin, find out more below
Melina was reportedly found dead in Ticonderoga, New York, following an intense search involving two countries.
Luciano Frattolin, 45, is being held in the Essex County Jail where he is awaiting arraignment.
Who is Luciano Frattolin, father of Melina Galanis Frattolin as missing Canadian girl is found dead in New York
9-year-old Melina Frattolin traveled from Canada to Lake George New York for a vacation. Her father Luciano Frattolin falsely reported her being abducted by someone in a white van. Triggering a Amber Alert. It was a lie! She was never abducted. She was found dead in Ticonderoga.… https://t.co/7soDB7vkRh pic.twitter.com/qoFMS9dyw2
— JLR© (@JLRINVESTIGATES) July 20, 2025
⚠️ WARNING: This post contains graphic descriptions of death.
Melina Frattolin, 9, was found deceased in Ticonderoga, New York, less than 24 hours after her father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, claimed she had been abducted in a white van from the Lake George area. New York State… pic.twitter.com/jvtIqqBSUI
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) July 21, 2025
Luciano Frattolin now faces serious charges, with authorities questioning the exact circumstances of her death.
Luciano Frattolin arrested in Melina Frattolin case
Police arrested Luciano Frattolin after they found the body of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Galanis Frattolin, in Ticonderoga, New York. Authorities launched the investigation late Saturday night after Frattolin called 911 claiming Melina had been abducted while the family was visiting the Lake George area. He is currently held at the Essex County Jail.
Melina Frattolin case
Melina Frattolin was a 9-year-old girl who was initially reported missing at around 9:58 p.m. on Saturday, sparking an immediate search in both Canada and the United States, with authorities even issuing an Amber Alert.
Melina Frattolin was reported missing late Saturday night while the family was visiting the Lake George area in New York and New York State Police said the investigation began at 9:58 p.m. after Warren County 911 received a call from Luciano Frattolin, reporting his daughter missing and suggesting a possible abduction.
An Amber Alert was issued early on July 20, describing Melina as 5 feet tall, 100 pounds, with brown hair, last seen in a white van wearing a black-and-white striped shirt, light-colored shorts and white Adidas sneakers.
However, authorities soon discovered Melina’s body in Ticonderoga and later found discrepancies in her father Frattolin’s story. As a result, investigators arrested her father, and law enforcement is currently examining the details surrounding her death.
Luciano Frattolin biography and age
Luciano Frattolin is an entrepreneur who originally hails from Montreal, Canada. He is best known as the founder of Gambella Coffee, and he spent his youth between Ethiopia and Italy. Luciano who is aged 45 was a single father who had a daughter named Melina. However, he recently shocked the world after he was tragically arrested in the death case of his own daughter with him charged with second degree murder.
Luciano Frattolin does not have a history of mental disorder or domestic violence, according to police and also does not have a criminal record.
Melina Frattolin’s cause of death is still listed as pending, with an autopsy scheduled for later.
He was represented Monday by Jared Cadena of the Essex County Public Defender’s Office after saying he didn’t have money for an attorney. Essex County District Attorney Michael P Langey appeared for the prosecution.
Melina spoke to her mother by phone at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and appeared to be in good health and State Police believe the girl was killed sometime between that call and her father’s 9:58 p.m. call to 911.
Frattolin told investigators his daughter was abducted by two men in a van when he stopped his vehicle to urinate by the side of the road.
Instead, troopers said, Frattolin killed his daughter and left her in the shallow end of a pond in Ticonderoga and concealed her body by positioning her under a log.
State Police said the girl’s mother had full custody of the child, and though the couple split up in 2019, Melina’s mother did not believe her ex-husband posed a danger to their daughter.
Luciano who is currently in the Essex County Jail used to spend as much time as he could in Montreal, Canada, with his daughter Melina. The name of Melina’s mother isn’t known.
Nationality and ethnicity
Luciano Frattolin is a Canadian national and he is of mixed Ethiopian and Italian descent. He was raised by an Ethiopian mother and an Italian father, and he has often spoken publicly about the importance of his multicultural background in shaping both his worldview.
Profession
Luciano Frattolin was a Montreal-based entrepreneur who founded Gambella Coffee. The brand emphasizes ethical sourcing and social impact. Frattolin also did work in community development and cultural advocacy.