Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The father of a 9-year-old girl was found guilty of her murder, and prosecutors believe they’ve figured out his motive.
In July 2025, Luciano Frattolin traveled to upstate New York with his 9-year-old daughter, Melina. The father and daughter, who lived in Montreal, Quebec, were supposed to return to Canada on July 19, where Melina would be returned to her mother's custody.
However on that day, Frattolin called police and claimed that men in a white van had kidnapped Melina while they were at a rest stop. Authorities, however, quickly questioned his account, saying evidence collected during the investigation did not support a kidnapping.
State police used license plate reader data and cellphone records to trace Frattolin’s steps, which led investigators to a wooded area in Ticonderoga, where Melina’s body was found in a shallow pond. Her cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning.
Prosecutors allege Frattolin killed his daughter before fabricating the kidnapping story to divert investigators. During the trial, the prosecution presented notes from Frattolin’s car that accuse Melina’s mother, Kali Galanis, of suffering from schizophrenia and being physically abusive to their daughter. He also allegedly believed that Melina suffered from the same illness. The prosecution also found a note that said “Don’t let Melina suffer anymore.”
He was charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. On August 10, he was found guilty of both charges. He’s due to be sentenced on October 14.
#MelinaFrattolin #NewYork #TrueCrime
The father of a 9-year-old girl was found guilty of her murder, and prosecutors believe they’ve figured out his motive.
In July 2025, Luciano Frattolin traveled to upstate New York with his 9-year-old daughter, Melina. The father and daughter, who lived in Montreal, Quebec, were supposed to return to Canada on July 19, where Melina would be returned to her mother's custody.
However on that day, Frattolin called police and claimed that men in a white van had kidnapped Melina while they were at a rest stop. Authorities, however, quickly questioned his account, saying evidence collected during the investigation did not support a kidnapping.
State police used license plate reader data and cellphone records to trace Frattolin’s steps, which led investigators to a wooded area in Ticonderoga, where Melina’s body was found in a shallow pond. Her cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning.
Prosecutors allege Frattolin killed his daughter before fabricating the kidnapping story to divert investigators. During the trial, the prosecution presented notes from Frattolin’s car that accuse Melina’s mother, Kali Galanis, of suffering from schizophrenia and being physically abusive to their daughter. He also allegedly believed that Melina suffered from the same illness. The prosecution also found a note that said “Don’t let Melina suffer anymore.”
He was charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. On August 10, he was found guilty of both charges. He’s due to be sentenced on October 14.
#MelinaFrattolin #NewYork #TrueCrime
