A tragic case that began with a missing child alert has taken a devastating turn. New York authorities have charged 45-year-old Luciano Frattolin with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse in the death of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin.
Melina was reported missing Saturday night, July 19, by her father, who claimed she vanished near Exit 22 in Lake George. An AMBER Alert soon followed, describing a potential abduction and mentioning a white van seen heading south. But that version of events has since unraveled.
Just a day later, on July 20, police located Melina’s body in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga, New York, concealed under a log. Authorities later revealed that Luciano’s account changed multiple times — from her simply disappearing during a bathroom stop, to alleging two men kidnapped her. Both versions were investigated and determined to be false.
Melina and her father had traveled to the U.S. from their home in Montreal, Canada, on July 11 for a vacation. They were expected to return on Sunday, when Melina would resume full-time custody with her mother. The child was last seen in public at a restaurant in Saratoga Springs and later spoke with her mother by phone, appearing well and unaware of any danger.
Police now believe that sometime between that call and Luciano’s 911 report, he killed Melina and left her in the pond where she was later found. Preliminary autopsy results revealed that the cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning, and the manner of death was classified as homicide.
Luciano, who has no prior criminal history, was arraigned on July 21 and pleaded not guilty. He remains in custody at Essex County Jail, awaiting a felony hearing scheduled for July 25.
Authorities say the investigation intensified when Luciano’s conflicting stories failed to align with surveillance footage and other evidence. As the search for Melina expanded, so did public interest and emotional reaction, with many expressing heartbreak and skepticism toward the father’s version of events.
The case is being handled by New York State Police, and while officials say there is no continued threat to public safety, the investigation is ongoing. Community tributes and widespread grief continue to pour in across social media, with many mourning the loss of a child whose life was cut far too short.
Luciano Frattolin, known professionally as the founder of Gambella Coffee and a proponent of socially conscious entrepreneurship, had often spoken of his deep bond with his daughter. But now, his public persona stands in stark contrast to the chilling allegations he faces.
What began as a desperate call about a missing child has become a harrowing story of loss, deception, and a quest for justice.