Topline: An autopsy determined the child drowned; investigators say her father staged a kidnapping to cover up the crime.
Published: July 23, 2025 7:30 am ET
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Luciano Frattolin, left, and Melina Frattolin (via New York State Police)
TICONDEROGA, NY — The death of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin, whose disappearance sparked a multi-agency search across upstate New York, has officially been ruled a homicide by drowning, according to preliminary autopsy results released Tuesday by the New York State Police.
The autopsy, conducted on July 21 by Dr. Michael Sikirica at Glens Falls Hospital, found Melina died from asphyxia due to drowning.
While the final autopsy report is pending further laboratory testing, the manner of death has been classified as homicide.
This marks the latest development in a case that has rapidly evolved since Melina’s body was discovered in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga on July 20. Her father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, was arrested the following day and charged with second-degree murder, a Class A felony, as well as concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony. He is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility and was arraigned in Ticonderoga Town Court on July 21.
Authorities say Frattolin, who shares joint custody but is estranged from Melina’s mother, legally entered the United States with his daughter on July 11 for what was intended to be a vacation. The two Canadian citizens were scheduled to return to Montreal on July 19, when Melina was to be reunited with her mother, who has had primary custody since the parents separated in 2019.
According to investigators, the last confirmed sighting of Melina alive occurred around 5:30 p.m. on July 19, when surveillance footage captured her and her father in Saratoga Springs. About an hour later, she spoke to her mother on the phone and showed no signs of distress.
Sometime between that phone call and Frattolin’s 911 report around 10 p.m., authorities believe he killed his daughter and left her body in a remote wooded area near Ticonderoga. Frattolin told dispatchers his daughter had been abducted near Exit 22 of the I-87 Northway in Lake George, even alleging the presence of a suspicious white van—claims investigators say are unsupported by any evidence gathered so far.
With Frattolin’s version of events quickly unraveling under scrutiny, New York State Police coordinated a sweeping search effort involving multiple state and local agencies, as well as federal partners and Canadian law enforcement. Melina’s body was found the next day at approximately 1:50 p.m. by state forest rangers.
In a continued effort to piece together the pair’s movements, state police are now appealing to the public for assistance. Investigators are particularly interested in any video footage or eyewitness accounts of a gray 2024 Toyota Prius—the vehicle the Frattolins were traveling in—between July 11 and July 19, especially in the vicinity of I-87 between Exits 28 and 20 during the evening of July 19. Tips can be submitted to (518) 873-2750 or by email at crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.
The investigation remains active, and authorities say additional charges could be forthcoming as forensic analysis continues.
In a statement, the New York State Police extended their thanks to the many agencies that assisted in the investigation, including the Warren and Essex County Sheriff’s Offices, the Montreal Police Department, the FBI, and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Father Charged After Autopsy Confirms 9-Year-Old Melina Frattolin Was Murdered
An autopsy determined the child drowned; investigators say her father staged a kidnapping to cover up the crime.
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 23, 2025 7:30 am ET
Luciano Frattolin, left, and Melina Frattolin (via New York State Police)
TICONDEROGA, NY — The death of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin, whose disappearance sparked a multi-agency search across upstate New York, has officially been ruled a homicide by drowning, according to preliminary autopsy results released Tuesday by the New York State Police.
The autopsy, conducted on July 21 by Dr. Michael Sikirica at Glens Falls Hospital, found Melina died from asphyxia due to drowning.
While the final autopsy report is pending further laboratory testing, the manner of death has been classified as homicide.
This marks the latest development in a case that has rapidly evolved since Melina’s body was discovered in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga on July 20. Her father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, was arrested the following day and charged with second-degree murder, a Class A felony, as well as concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony. He is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility and was arraigned in Ticonderoga Town Court on July 21.
Authorities say Frattolin, who shares joint custody but is estranged from Melina’s mother, legally entered the United States with his daughter on July 11 for what was intended to be a vacation. The two Canadian citizens were scheduled to return to Montreal on July 19, when Melina was to be reunited with her mother, who has had primary custody since the parents separated in 2019.
According to investigators, the last confirmed sighting of Melina alive occurred around 5:30 p.m. on July 19, when surveillance footage captured her and her father in Saratoga Springs. About an hour later, she spoke to her mother on the phone and showed no signs of distress.
Sometime between that phone call and Frattolin’s 911 report around 10 p.m., authorities believe he killed his daughter and left her body in a remote wooded area near Ticonderoga. Frattolin told dispatchers his daughter had been abducted near Exit 22 of the I-87 Northway in Lake George, even alleging the presence of a suspicious white van—claims investigators say are unsupported by any evidence gathered so far.
With Frattolin’s version of events quickly unraveling under scrutiny, New York State Police coordinated a sweeping search effort involving multiple state and local agencies, as well as federal partners and Canadian law enforcement. Melina’s body was found the next day at approximately 1:50 p.m. by state forest rangers.
In a continued effort to piece together the pair’s movements, state police are now appealing to the public for assistance. Investigators are particularly interested in any video footage or eyewitness accounts of a gray 2024 Toyota Prius—the vehicle the Frattolins were traveling in—between July 11 and July 19, especially in the vicinity of I-87 between Exits 28 and 20 during the evening of July 19. Tips can be submitted to (518) 873-2750 or by email at crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.
The investigation remains active, and authorities say additional charges could be forthcoming as forensic analysis continues.
In a statement, the New York State Police extended their thanks to the many agencies that assisted in the investigation, including the Warren and Essex County Sheriff’s Offices, the Montreal Police Department, the FBI, and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Father Charged After Autopsy Confirms 9-Year-Old Melina Frattolin Was Murdered
An autopsy determined the child drowned; investigators say her father staged a kidnapping to cover up the crime.
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 23, 2025 7:30 am ET
Luciano Frattolin, left, and Melina Frattolin (via New York State Police)
TICONDEROGA, NY — The death of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin, whose disappearance sparked a multi-agency search across upstate New York, has officially been ruled a homicide by drowning, according to preliminary autopsy results released Tuesday by the New York State Police.
The autopsy, conducted on July 21 by Dr. Michael Sikirica at Glens Falls Hospital, found Melina died from asphyxia due to drowning.
While the final autopsy report is pending further laboratory testing, the manner of death has been classified as homicide.
This marks the latest development in a case that has rapidly evolved since Melina’s body was discovered in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga on July 20. Her father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, was arrested the following day and charged with second-degree murder, a Class A felony, as well as concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony. He is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility and was arraigned in Ticonderoga Town Court on July 21.
Authorities say Frattolin, who shares joint custody but is estranged from Melina’s mother, legally entered the United States with his daughter on July 11 for what was intended to be a vacation. The two Canadian citizens were scheduled to return to Montreal on July 19, when Melina was to be reunited with her mother, who has had primary custody since the parents separated in 2019.
According to investigators, the last confirmed sighting of Melina alive occurred around 5:30 p.m. on July 19, when surveillance footage captured her and her father in Saratoga Springs. About an hour later, she spoke to her mother on the phone and showed no signs of distress.
Sometime between that phone call and Frattolin’s 911 report around 10 p.m., authorities believe he killed his daughter and left her body in a remote wooded area near Ticonderoga. Frattolin told dispatchers his daughter had been abducted near Exit 22 of the I-87 Northway in Lake George, even alleging the presence of a suspicious white van—claims investigators say are unsupported by any evidence gathered so far.
With Frattolin’s version of events quickly unraveling under scrutiny, New York State Police coordinated a sweeping search effort involving multiple state and local agencies, as well as federal partners and Canadian law enforcement. Melina’s body was found the next day at approximately 1:50 p.m. by state forest rangers.
In a continued effort to piece together the pair’s movements, state police are now appealing to the public for assistance. Investigators are particularly interested in any video footage or eyewitness accounts of a gray 2024 Toyota Prius—the vehicle the Frattolins were traveling in—between July 11 and July 19, especially in the vicinity of I-87 between Exits 28 and 20 during the evening of July 19. Tips can be submitted to (518) 873-2750 or by email at crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.
The investigation remains active, and authorities say additional charges could be forthcoming as forensic analysis continues.
In a statement, the New York State Police extended their thanks to the many agencies that assisted in the investigation, including the Warren and Essex County Sheriff’s Offices, the Montreal Police Department, the FBI, and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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