Man accused of murdering his 9-year-old daughter during a vacation in New York

Luciano Frattolin, age 45, faces charges of killing his young daughter Melina last week while they were in New York. According to a former friend, Frattolin struggled with being “tied down” by his daughter, whom he only saw about once a year.

Born in Ethiopia to an Ethiopian mother and an Italian father, Frattolin is a prominent businessman in Ethiopia, where he owns stakes in a mine and a hotel construction company. He moved frequently between Ethiopia and Canada, where Melina lived with her mother after their separation—primarily due to his infidelity, the friend reported.

Witnesses say Frattolin loved Melina but disliked feeling confined, which might have contributed to the tragedy. Police arrested him after he claimed his daughter had been abducted. Frattolin was seen driving with Melina on I-87 before disappearing, leading to his arrest.

In Ethiopia, Frattolin made headlines after founding a lucrative iron ore mine in 2019 with a Chinese partner and securing a 20-year contract. That same year, he was assaulted, leaving permanent damage to his eye, which he cited as a significant hardship in his life.

The friend also mentioned that Melina’s mother visited Frattolin in Ethiopia during his recovery and discovered he was seeing another woman, leading to their separation.

Known for his wealthy lifestyle, Frattolin often appeared in expensive clothing and luxury cars, including a Porsche he showcased in Ethiopia on social media. Despite his affluence, financial troubles reportedly caused him to travel frequently and temporarily leave Ethiopia.

Frattolin pleaded not guilty to the murder charge during a court hearing in Ticonderoga, New York, and is scheduled to appear again this Friday.