A shocking murder case is rocking New York, as a father is accused of killing his 9-year-old daughter of Greek-Canadian descent. The tragic incident unfolded during a vacation they had planned together, with the man initially falsely reporting the child’s abduction.
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Murder in New York: The disappearance and false report
Nine-year-old Melina Galani Frattolin, a Montreal resident of Greek-Canadian descent, was on vacation with her father in New York when the tragic event occurred. On Saturday, July 19, 2025, around 10:00 p.m., 45-year-old Luciano Frattolin contacted Warren County 911, reporting his daughter’s disappearance.
According to his initial statement, the father claimed he had stopped at a parking lot near exit 22 of I-87 at Lake George and when he returned to the car, Melina had vanished. He even alleged that two men with a white van had abducted her, which led to the immediate activation of an Amber Alert.
Discovery of the truth and arrest
New York authorities mobilized immediately to locate the child. On Sunday, July 20, an extensive search team arrived in the town of Ticonderoga, an area Frattolin had visited. During the searches, members of the State Forest Rangers found Melina dead in the shallow waters of Lake George.
The investigation revealed no evidence supporting the father’s abduction story. The 45-year-old was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse, as he allegedly hid his daughter’s body under a log in a remote area of the lake.
Timeline of the final hours
Father and daughter had legally entered the US on July 11, 2025 for vacation and were expected to return to Canada on Saturday, July 19. Melina lived permanently with her mother in Montreal, as her parents had been separated since 2019.
The last traces of the girl’s life were recorded:
• At 5:30 p.m. Saturday in video footage from a restaurant in Saratoga Springs
• At 6:30 p.m. in a phone call with her mother, where she mentioned they were returning to Canada
According to authorities, Melina appeared to be in good health and showed no signs of distress or danger during the call. Investigators believe the murder took place after the call to her mother and before the 911 call.
Legal proceedings
After his arrest, Frattolin was transferred to Essex County Correctional Facility. On July 21, 2025, he was brought before Ticonderoga Town Court, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During the court proceeding, the defendant told Judge Richard Carpenter that he could not afford legal expenses for an attorney. This contrasts with the image he presented on social media, where he appeared to maintain a luxurious lifestyle with expensive cars and travel.
The autopsy results performed on Monday are expected to reveal the exact cause of death of 9-year-old Melina.
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