Lucian Frattolin, 46, stands trial in Elizabethtown, New York, for the second‑degree murder of his nine‑year‑old daughter, Melina, who drowned in Lake George in July 2025.
The family was on a ten‑day vacation in the United States when the incident occurred. On July 19, Frattolin called police claiming that his daughter had been kidnapped by men in a white van, prompting an Amber Alert.
Investigators later located Melina’s body in a pond near the lake. The claim of a kidnapping was not supported by evidence, and the alert was quickly withdrawn.
During the trial, prosecutors noted that Frattolin’s account of the events changed multiple times, raising doubts about his credibility.
Frattolin told a New York State Police homicide investigator that he would have found it easier to murder his daughter in Ethiopia or Italy, where he holds dual citizenship.
He also alleged that Melina’s mother, Kali Galanis, was abusive and schizophrenic, and that he feared losing custody if he sought help in Montreal.
Frattolin stated he did not seek sole custody, yet expressed a bitter resentment toward his ex‑wife, suggesting she was behind the death.
At the scene, videos showed Frattolin speaking casually with detectives, but his demeanor shifted when investigators mentioned a nearby phone tower’s pings, prompting him to slam his body into a cruiser door.
He has been charged with second‑degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. Frattolin has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
If convicted, the case carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment.
Frattolin’s background includes a history of financial difficulties and an ambition to establish a coffee business in Montreal.
The case highlights the complexities of custody disputes and the challenges faced by law enforcement when a parent’s claims conflict with forensic evidence.
The trial continues as evidence and testimony are examined to determine the circumstances surrounding Melina’s death.
