A heartbreaking discovery in Ticonderoga, New York, has left the community grieving after 9-year-old Melina Frattolin from Montreal was found dead in a pond on July 20, 2025—just one day after being reported missing. Her father, 45-year-old Luciano Frattolin, was arrested and now faces serious charges, including second-degree murder and concealment of a human body.
Authorities report that Luciano initially told police Melina went missing while he briefly stepped into nearby woods at Lake George. He later altered his story, claiming two unknown individuals had taken her, which triggered an AMBER Alert. However, investigators detected inconsistencies in his accounts early on, leading to increased suspicion.
Melina’s body was discovered following an extensive search operation involving K9 units and aerial support. A preliminary autopsy confirmed drowning as the cause of death, and the case is being treated as a homicide.
Surveillance footage captured Melina and her father sharing dinner in Saratoga Springs the evening before she disappeared. Additionally, Melina had a phone call with her mother that night, during which she said she was heading back to Canada. She sounded calm and reassured, making the tragic outcome all the more devastating.