TICONDEROGA, NY — July 21, 2025 — A tragic incident has unfolded in upstate New York, where 9-year-old Melina Galanis Frattolin, a Canadian tourist, was found dead on Sunday, July 20, 2025, hours after her father, Luciano Frattolin, reported her missing and claimed she had been abducted. Luciano Frattolin, 45, a Montreal-based entrepreneur, has been arrested in connection with his daughter’s death and is currently being held at the Essex County Jail, according to inmate records.
The New York State Police (NYSP) reported that the investigation began on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at approximately 9:58 p.m., when Warren County 911 received a call from Luciano Frattolin reporting his daughter missing near Exit 22 of Interstate 87 in Lake George, New York. Frattolin alleged that Melina had been abducted by a stranger in a white van around 9:40 p.m. at a rest stop, prompting authorities to issue an Amber Alert early Sunday morning. The alert described Melina as a 5-foot-tall, 100-pound girl with brown hair and brown eyes, last seen wearing a blue-and-white striped shirt, light-colored shorts, and white Adidas sneakers. The alert noted she was believed to be in “imminent danger of serious bodily harm and/or death.”
A multi-agency search involving the NYSP, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Ticonderoga Police Department, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and New York State Forest Rangers, along with K9 and aviation units, was launched to locate the missing girl. However, as the investigation progressed, law enforcement identified inconsistencies in Luciano Frattolin’s account of events and the timeline he provided. These discrepancies raised doubts about the abduction claim, leading authorities to shift their focus.
On Sunday afternoon, Melina’s body was discovered in Ticonderoga, New York, approximately 30-35 miles from Lake George, where her father claimed she was last seen. The NYSP announced that there was “no indication that an abduction occurred” and stated there was no threat to the public. The Amber Alert was canceled at 4:18 p.m. on Sunday. The cause of Melina’s death has not been disclosed, and no specific details about the location of her body or the circumstances of its discovery were provided by authorities.Luciano Frattolin, who was born in Gambella, Ethiopia, to an Ethiopian mother and Italian father, is the founder of Gambella Coffee, an organic coffee brand named after his birthplace. His company’s website describes him as a devoted father who spent much of his time in Montreal with Melina, whom he called “the light of his life” and an inspiration for his work toward a more equitable world. The biography highlights his efforts to empower Melina to embrace her unique identity and celebrate diversity, noting her influence in softening his preference for order through her “messy art projects and chaotic ensemble of toys.”
The NYSP has taken over the investigation from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office due to jurisdictional considerations. Authorities have scheduled a press conference for Monday, July 21, 2025, to provide further details on the case. As of now, no formal charges have been announced against Luciano Frattolin, and attempts to reach him for comment via LinkedIn, Instagram, and his company website have been unsuccessful.The discovery of Melina’s body has sent shockwaves through the community, with the New York State Police Benevolent Association expressing deep condolences to her family and acknowledging the grief of the Forest Rangers and Environmental Conservation Officers involved in the search. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at 518-743-2501 or dial 911.This heartbreaking case has left many questions unanswered, as the community mourns the loss of a young life and awaits further updates from law enforcement.
