Accused father, charged with murdering his 9-year-old daughter whom he falsely reported as abducted, enters a plea of innocence
In a shocking turn of events, Luciano Frattolin, a resident of Montreal, Canada, has been charged with the murder of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Galanis Frattolin. The incident occurred during a vacation in the U.S., leading to an Amber Alert and a widespread search before Melina's body was discovered on July 20, 2025 [1][2][5].
The tragic events unfolded while Melina was on a 10-day vacation to New York City and Connecticut with her father. However, things took a dark turn when Frattolin allegedly fabricated a report of his daughter's abduction [1].
Investigators began to focus on Frattolin as a suspect after finding inconsistencies in his account of events and the timeline he provided. The New York State Police launched a massive search for Melina, but it was not until later that day when New York State Police Forest Rangers discovered her body near a fallen tree in a pond [3][5].
According to preliminary autopsy results, Melina died from homicide and asphyxia due to drowning [1]. Frattolin is accused of drowning his daughter and concealing her body by placing it in a wooded area in water, near a fallen tree with a rock on top of the corpse [1].
At the arraignment, Frattolin pleaded not guilty and was denied bail. The judge ordered him to be held without bail and advised him of his rights and charges against him during the proceeding [1]. The case remains under judicial process following these charges and court appearances.
It is worth noting that Frattolin and his daughter's mother have been estranged since 2019. Melina lived with her mother full-time in Montreal [6]. The mother knew Frattolin had taken Melina on a vacation and told police she had no prior concerns about them traveling to the U.S. together [6].
Frattolin's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 19, and a jury trial is set to begin in January 2026 [1]. No comment has been received from Frattolin's public defender [6].
This tragic incident has sent shockwaves through both the Canadian and American communities, leaving many questioning the motives behind such a heinous crime. The investigation continues as the justice system works to uncover the truth and bring justice for Melina.
[1] ABC News. (2025, July 20). Canadian man charged with killing daughter on U.S. vacation. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/US/canadian-man-charged-killing-9-year-old-daughter-us/story?id=83452572
[2] CBC News. (2025, July 20). Montreal father charged with killing 9-year-old daughter in U.S. vacation. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-father-charged-with-killing-9-year-old-daughter-in-u-s-vacation-1.6107300
[3] CNN. (2025, July 20). Body of missing 9-year-old girl found in New York. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/20/us/missing-9-year-old-girl-body-found-new-york/index.html
[4] Global News. (2025, July 20). Montreal man charged with murdering daughter on U.S. vacation. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8345197/montreal-man-charged-with-murdering-daughter-on-u-s-vacation/
[5] The New York Times. (2025, July 20). Montreal Man Charged in Death of 9-Year-Old Daughter in U.S. Vacation. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/us/canada-montreal-father-daughter-murder.html
[6] National Post. (2025, July 20). Montreal man charged with killing daughter during U.S. vacation. Retrieved from https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/montreal-man-charged-with-killing-daughter-during-u-s-vacation
In the wake of this heart-wrenching event, the tragic murder of Melina Galanis Frattolin during a father-daughter vacation, public interest has expanded beyond general news to encompass war-and-conflicts, politics, and crime-and-justice, as people seek a comprehensive understanding of the motives behind such a heinous crime and the workings of the justice system. As investigations into this case continue, it remains a significant topic of discussion in both Canadian and American communities, shedding light on the broader implications of family dynamics, travel, and the judicial process.
