Luciano Frattolin Guilty of Murdering Daughter Melina, 9, and Hiding Body Under Rock on Vacation

A tragic case has unfolded in upstate New York that has garnered significant attention following the death of nine-year-old Melina Frattolin. In early July 2025, the young girl was reported missing during a holiday trip with her father, Luciano Frattolin, who subsequently claimed she had been abducted. However, the discovery of her body in a shallow pond led to serious charges against her father.

Luciano Frattolin, a 46-year-old resident of Montreal, has been found guilty of second-degree murder and the concealment of a human corpse. The verdict was reached on August 10, 2025, following a trial that revealed disturbing evidence surrounding the girl’s last moments. When the guilty verdict was announced, Melina’s maternal family broke down in tears, reflecting the profound emotional impact of the case.

Throughout the trial, it emerged that Melina had expressed reluctance about the trip to her father’s native Ethiopia, a concern voiced to her mother, Kali Galanis. In her testimony, Galanis mentioned her discomfort with some comments made by Luciano to their daughter, stating that Melina did not want to go on the trip. The couple, who had met in Ethiopia, had become estranged and Galanis had sole custody of Melina since 2019.

Despite these apprehensions, an agreement was reached, allowing Luciano to take Melina on a holiday to upstate New York, following which they were expected to return to Montreal. They left on July 11, with plans to return by July 19. However, when they failed to arrive back, Luciano reported Melina missing to the authorities, asserting that she had been kidnapped while they were visiting Lake George.

Galanis, waiting anxiously for her daughter’s return, was devastated by the news the following day: Melina had been discovered deceased in a brook in Essex County, New York. The subsequent autopsy revealed that she had died of asphyxia due to drowning, and the manner of death was classified as homicide.

In the days following Melina’s death, law enforcement took swift action. On July 21, 2025, Luciano Frattolin was arrested and charged with her murder, to which he pleaded not guilty. As the prosecution built its case, it became clear that there were numerous troubling signs leading up to the tragedy.

The trial began on July 23, kicking off a challenging process for both the prosecution and the defense. Eric Weyand, one of the defence attorneys for Frattolin, acknowledged the gravity of the case, indicating that navigating the proceedings was particularly difficult given the circumstances.

Despite a plea of not guilty, the jury ultimately decided against Luciano Frattolin. As he was found guilty, he will remain in custody until his sentencing, which is set for October 14, 2025.

This heart-wrenching case serves as a sobering reminder of the tragic consequences that can arise from familial disputes and the need for vigilance when it comes to the welfare of children. Melina’s mother, who opted not to attend the verdict due to concerns over facing her estranged partner, now faces the aftermath of this devastating loss, highlighting the broader implications of such familial tragedies.

In the coming weeks, as sentencing approaches, the community mourns alongside Melina’s family, grappling with the fallout from such a senseless act of violence. The hope is that this trial will not only bring justice for Melina but serve as a call to protect vulnerable children in similar situations moving forward.