Montreal businessman Luciano Frattolin is in custody after his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin, was found dead during what began as a family vacation in upstate New York.
Frattolin is the founder of Gambella Coffee, a boutique company based in Canada. The company’s website once described Melina as “the inspiration for… well, everything.” Now, her father stands accused of murdering her.
The Amber Alert
Frattolin told police Melina had been abducted late Saturday night near Exit 22 on I-87, just outside Lake George. He claimed he left her in the car while he stepped away briefly and returned to find her gone, claiming two unknown males forced her into a white van. Authorities issued an Amber Alert shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday.
By Sunday afternoon, the alert was canceled. Melina’s body was discovered in a wooded area near a remote pond in Ticonderoga, about 30 miles from where she was reported missing. She had been left partially submerged in shallow water.
Frattolin was arrested Sunday evening. He was charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. He pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail in Essex County Jail. A hearing is scheduled for July 25.
Frattolin’s story unraveled
Before his arrest, investigators say Frattolin’s story quickly unraveled. There was no sign of a white van or kidnappers. Surveillance footage showed the father and daughter in Saratoga Springs around 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Melina also spoke to her mother by phone around 6:30 p.m. and appeared to be fine.
Melina lived full-time with her mother in Montreal. Her parents had been estranged since 2019, though her mother had no concerns about Melina traveling with her father for the vacation.
Police now believe the murder occurred between that call and the 911 report. They say Frattolin had no history of violence. He crossed into the U.S. legally on July 11 with Melina. The two were expected to return to Montreal on July 20.
An autopsy has been conducted, though the official cause of death has not been released. Investigators have not yet identified a motive. State Police Captain Robert McConnell told reporters the case remains active and that Frattolin has no prior criminal record.
The Gambella Coffee website has since been taken down. Previously, it featured tributes to Melina, including one that read: “She taught me how to see the world.”
Authorities continue to piece together the final hours of Melina’s life. For now, Frattolin remains behind bars, and a community in both New York and Montreal is left grieving a tragedy no one can explain.
Published: Jul 22, 2025 08:08 am