Latham, New York — A Montreal man has been charged with murder following the tragic death of his 9-year-old daughter, who was found in a pond after he reported her missing while they were vacationing in the upstate region. Luciano Frattolin, 45, faces charges of murder and concealment of a corpse in connection with the death of Melina Frattolin, according to the New York State Police.
Frattolin entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment on Monday. Court documents do not indicate whether he plans to seek bail. The public defender assigned to represent him did not respond to inquiries about the case.
The investigation began Saturday night when Frattolin called 911, claiming his daughter had been abducted from a parking area near Lake George, a popular tourist destination in the Adirondacks. The authorities acted quickly, issuing an Amber Alert to gather information from the public regarding the alleged abduction. However, officers noted inconsistencies in Frattolin’s statements, raising suspicions about his account of events.
According to police, Frattolin initially stated that he had stepped away briefly into the woods and noticed Melina was missing upon returning. He later claimed two unidentified men had forced her into a white van, but this lead was ultimately disproven through investigation and surveillance footage. Capt. Robert McConnell of the New York State Police confirmed that video captured Frattolin and his daughter in Saratoga Springs shortly before the alleged incident. Additionally, a phone call made by Melina to her mother about an hour later did not indicate any signs of distress.
Authorities believe the girl was killed sometime after that phone call and before Frattolin made the 911 call. On Sunday afternoon, forest rangers discovered her body submerged under a log in a pond approximately 30 miles north of Lake George in Ticonderoga. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death.
The Frattolins had been vacationing in the U.S. since July 11 and were planning to return to Montreal that weekend. Melina lived in Montreal with her mother, who has been estranged from Frattolin since 2019. Prior to this incident, Frattolin reportedly had no history of criminal activity or domestic violence.
Frattolin’s social media accounts paint a contrasting picture of his relationship with his daughter. He described himself as a devoted father, referring to Melina as “the light of his life” on his coffee company’s website. However, the stark reality of the situation stands in stark contrast to his online persona.
As the investigation continues, both the community and local authorities are grappling with the shocking nature of the case, which has left many searching for answers regarding the events that led to this heartbreaking tragedy.