***UPDATE***State Police Investigate Death of Missing Child

UPDATE July 22, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.  

On July 21, 2025, Dr. Michael Sikirica conducted the autopsy of Melina Frattolin at Glens Falls Hospital in Glens Falls, NY. The final determination and report are pending further laboratory testing, the preliminary results are:

Cause of death: Asphyxia due to drowning

Manner of death: Homicide 

As part of the continued investigation, the New York State Police are asking for the public's help in gathering additional video evidence or eyewitness accounts of the vehicle the pair traveled in from July 11, 2025, until July 19, 2025. More specifically the area of the I-87 Northway between Exits 28 (North Schroon Lake: US 9, NY 74 to Ticonderoga)  through exit 20 (Fort Ann, Queensbury, Lake George, NY 149 & US 9) during the evening hours of July 19, 2025. The Photos below are of the actual vehicle which was a 2024 gray Toyota Prius. 

Please call 518-873-2750 or email [email protected] with any information. 

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UPDATE July 21, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.

On July 21, 2025, Luciano Frattolin, age 45 was arrested and charges with Murder in 2nd degree, a class "A" felony, and Concealment of a Human Corpse, a class "E" felony.

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Warren County 911 received a call from a man reporting his 9-year-old daughter missing, with a possible abduction, in the area of Exit 22 of Interstate-87 Northway in Lake George, NY. The child was identified as Melina Frattolin, age 9, and the caller as her father, Luciano Frattolin.

The New York State Police and Warren County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the area of Exit 22 of the Northway and initiated an investigation to attempt to locate Melina.

On Sunday, July 20, a search detail comprised of officers from multiple agencies conducted an organized search in the town of Ticonderoga, New York, in an area Frattolin was suspected of having visited. During that search detail at approximately 1:50 p.m., members of the New York State Forest Rangers located Melina deceased in the shallow water of a pond.

The investigation has revealed that on July 11, 2025, Frattolin and Melina, both residents of Montreal, Quebec, legally entered the United States for the purpose of a vacation. They were expected to return to Canada on Saturday, July 19th, at which time Melina would be returned to the custody of her mother in Montreal. The Mother and Frattolin have been estranged since 2019. The child resided full time with her mother and Frattolin visited with child when in Canada.

At about 5:30 p.m. on July 19th, Melina is observed with her father on video surveillance in Saratoga Springs, NY. At about 6:30 p.m. She spoke to her mother on the phone and did not indicate she was under any duress. The investigation has determined sometime after Melina’s phone call with her mother and before Frattolin’s 911 call he allegedly murdered Melina and left her body in a remote area where she was later discovered by law enforcement. No evidence has been located to support the reports from Frattolin of an abduction involving a suspicious white van in the area of the alleged disappearance.

Following Frattolin's arrest he was transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility where he was held pending arraignment. Frattolin is scheduled to be arraigned at Ticonderoga Town Court on July 21, 2025.

Melina’s cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy which is scheduled for July 21, 2025.

On behalf of the New York State Police would like to thank the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Warren County District Attorney, Essex County District Attorney, the Montreal Police Department, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Ticonderoga Police Department, and the FBI, for their assistance in this investigation.

If any member of the public has information regarding the death of Melina Frattolin, I encourage them to contact the New York State Police at (518) 457-6811 or email [email protected].

Link to video from press conference: https://youtu.be/16VbMNGz7v4

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ORIGINAL POSTED July 20, 2025 at 4:14 p.m. 

On July 19, 2025, at approximately 9:58 p.m., Warren County 911 received a call from a man reporting his 9-year-old daughter missing, with a possible abduction, in the area of Exit 22 of I-87 in Lake George, New York. The child was identified as Melina Frattolin, age 9, and the caller as her father, Luciano Frattolin, age 45, both residents of Canada.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office initially led the investigation. As the case progressed, law enforcement identified inconsistencies in the father’s account of events and the timeline he provided.

With the assistance of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Ticonderoga Police Department, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Forest Rangers, and New York State Police K9 and Aviation units, Melina was located deceased in Ticonderoga, New York.

Due to jurisdictional considerations, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office has turned the investigation over to the New York State Police. At this time, there is no indication that an abduction occurred, and there is no threat to the public.

The investigation is ongoing. A media event is anticipated on July 21, 2025.