The disappearance of a 9-year-old Greek-Canadian girl, Melina Galanis Frattolin, ended in tragedy with the discovery of her body on Sunday, July 20, in New York. According to the New York Police Department, she was allegedly murdered by her father, Luciano Frattolin.
The 45-year-old Frattolin has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. Authorities believe he killed his daughter and attempted to hide her body beneath a log near a remote lake shortly before he was due to return her to her mother.
Melina had been living with her mother following her parents’ separation in 2019. Police say Frattolin had no previous criminal record or history of domestic violence. On his social media accounts, he often referred to Melina as “the light of his life.”
Father murdered Greek-Canadian daughter while on vacation in the US
Investigators revealed that on July 11, Frattolin and Melina entered the United States from Canada for a vacation. The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.
Court appearance and plea following father’s alleged murder of daughter in the US
Following his arrest, Frattolin was held at the Essex County Correctional Facility pending formal charges. He appeared before the Ticonderoga Town Court on July 21, 2025, and he pleaded not guilty.
According to a report by Times Union, Frattolin spoke only to inform Judge Richard Carpenter that the listed address in Montreal was incorrect. He also claimed he could not afford legal representation, despite presenting a lavish lifestyle on social media, often featuring luxury cars and international travel.
Initial claim of kidnapping disproven
Initially, Frattolin told authorities that two unidentified men had abducted Melina, forcing her into a white van. However, this claim was quickly debunked after surveillance footage was reviewed.
Security video captured Frattolin and Melina together in Saratoga Springs around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Roughly an hour later, Melina spoke with her mother by phone and reportedly showed no signs of distress. Investigators believe the murder occurred sometime after that call and before Frattolin contacted 911.
Timeline of events leading up to the murder of Greek-Canadian daughter by her father
The case began late on the night of Saturday, July 19, when the Warren County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a man reporting the disappearance—and possible abduction—of his 9-year-old daughter near Lake George, New York. The caller was Luciano Frattolin, and the missing child was identified as Melina Galanis Frattolin.
State Police and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office immediately launched a search operation. Tragically, their efforts ended with the discovery of the young girl’s body the following day.
