Father Accused of Murdering 9-Year-Old Daughter in Lake George

Luciano Frattolin, 45, has been arrested and charged with the killing of his young daughter, Melina, during a family vacation in upstate New York. Just hours before her body was discovered, Frattolin reportedly filed a false kidnapping report with authorities.

Melina’s body was found on a Sunday afternoon in Ticonderoga, approximately 30 miles from Lake George, where the family had been staying. Investigations revealed no evidence that she had been abducted, and inconsistencies were found in Frattolin’s story.

Authorities confirmed Frattolin’s arrest at 2:04 a.m. on Monday, after he was booked into Essex County Jail. Photos show him shackled and dressed in a white jumpsuit, escorted by police into a vehicle.

Frattolin, who was born in Ethiopia, has a history of struggles, including experiencing racism, personal losses, and a difficult breakup with his former wife. His self-written biography for his Montreal-based coffee business, Gambella Coffee, mentions these hardships, his desire to improve, and perfectionist tendencies. It also highlights how his daughter Melina helped him relax his rigid ways, expressing her influence on his personal growth.

On social media, Frattolin described himself as a loving father and shared joyful images of him and Melina. Despite these sentiments, authorities found his claims regarding her disappearance to be false, noting that her death was not consistent with abduction or foul play.

Melina’s remains were found in shallow water, and authorities observed that her father had previously called in a suspicious kidnapping report in connection with her disappearance. Multiple reports indicated no signs she had been abducted, and her father’s account contained discrepancies.