Melina Galanis Frattolin was a young Canadian girl who was recently found dead with her father Luciano Frattolin now arrested, find out more about her and the incident below
The heartbreaking tragedy has shaken both the U.S. and Canada after both countries joined in on the search.
Who is Melina Galanis Frattolin, girl murdered by her father Luciano Frattolin and more about her cause of death, parents and mother
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
A 9-year-old Melina Galanis Frattolin is believed to be in "imminent danger" after police say she was abducted in Lake George, New York, on Saturday night. She was last seen at 9:40 p.m. on I-87. pic.twitter.com/gFtOrf2BVc
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 20, 2025
Following the recent developments, Luciano Frattolin, who is an entrepreneur based in Montreal has been arrested.
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.
New York State Police recently arrested a 45-year-old man named Luciano Frattolin after discovering the body of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina, on Sunday afternoon. Luciano had initially called 911 on Saturday night, claiming his daughter had been kidnapped, triggering an Amber Alert in the early hours of Sunday. However, authorities soon discovered inconsistencies in his story, which quickly raised red flags.
Police soon found Melina’s body just later that day in Ticonderoga and arrested Luciano, who is currently being held at Essex County Jail, with second-degree murder charges pending. Reports indicate that Melina was killed hours just before the call and that the abduction report was staged to cover up the crime.
Luciano Frattolin has been arrested on charges related to the disappearance and death of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina. Press conference will be later today. pic.twitter.com/uHW26kNPGs
— Rose (@901Lulu) July 21, 2025
Melina Frattolin biography
Melina Galanis Frattolin was a Canadian child who was recently found murdered after previously being reported as missing. She was shockingly murdered by her own father, Luciano Frattolin. Melina frequently visited the U.S. with her father, and she was described as an intelligent, artistic, curious, and joyful child. Melina even featured on her father’s company website as a source of inspiration, and Luciano often referred to her as “the light of his life.”
Age and education
Melina Frattolin was just 9 years old at the time of her death and she was likely in primary school in Montreal. Although specific details about her school remain undisclosed, she was known to enjoy creative projects and art.
Nationality and ethnicity
Melina Frattolin was a Canadian citizen who came from a mixed heritage, as her father, Luciano Frattolin, was born in Ethiopia to an Ethiopian mother and an Italian father. Melina inherited this multicultural background, growing up in a family that embraced both African and European roots. Her parents had split in 2019 with her mother having full custody of her.