Montreal Father Luciano Frattolin Charged with Murder of 9-Year-Old Daughter During NY Vacation
LATHAM, New York (AP) — A Montreal man, Luciano Frattolin, has been charged with murder and concealment of a corpse following the death of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin, whose body was found in a pond near Ticonderoga, New York.
Authorities say Frattolin, 45, called 911 Saturday night claiming that Melina had been abducted by two unknown men in a white van while they were near Lake George, a popular vacation area in the Adirondacks. An Amber Alert was issued, prompting a widespread search.
However, investigators quickly uncovered inconsistencies in Frattolin’s story. Surveillance footage placed the father and daughter in nearby Saratoga Springs hours before the report, and police determined that Melina was never abducted.
On Sunday, forest rangers located her body in a wooded pond about 30 miles north of Lake George, partially concealed under a log. An autopsy is pending.
Court documents state that Frattolin tried to hide her body. He is being held in custody after a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf during his arraignment Monday. His defense team has not commented.
Police said Melina lived in Montreal with her mother, who has been estranged from Frattolin since 2019. The two had been vacationing in New York since July 11 and were expected to return home the weekend of her death.
Despite a public image portraying himself as a “loving father,” authorities confirmed that Frattolin had no prior criminal or domestic violence history. His online profiles described Melina as “the light of his life.”
The case has shocked communities in both Canada and the U.S., as details continue to emerge in what authorities are calling a deeply tragic and disturbing homicide.
