Dad who reported daughter, 9, missing on vacation busted after her body found in pond

A father who reported his nine-year-old daughter missing while they were on a vacation together has been arrested after her body was discovered in a pond.

Luciano Frattolin, 45, of Montreal was traveling with his daughter, Melina Frattolin, in upstate New York since July 11 and they were expected back in Canada this past weekend.

Frattolin described Melina as ‘the light of his life’, ‘beautiful’, and his ‘inspiration’ in a post on the website of Montreal-based Gambella Coffee, which he founded. He had also called himself a ‘loving father’ on his Instagram profile.

On Saturday night, Frattolin called 911 and claimed that his daughter vanished after he stepped out from a wooded area at a parking lot.

Authorities issued an Amber Alert for the public’s help in searching for Melina.

However, officials found inconsistencies in Frattolin’s accounts.

‘During a subsequent interview, he then reports two unknown males forced her into a white van,’ stated New York State Police Captain Robert McConnell.

‘That lead was thoroughly investigated and disproven.’

CCTV footage recovered from Saratoga Springs, another resort town close to Lake George, captured the dad and daughter there around 5.30pm on Saturday.

Melina talked with her mother, whom she lived with in Montreal, on the phone about an hour later and did not sound distressed, according to police.

Tragically, forest rangers found Melina’s body in the shallow section of a pond in Ticonderoga, which is roughly 30 miles north of Lake George, on Sunday afternoon.

Her father is believed to have murdered her after she spoke with her mum, and then called 911, police said.

Frattolin was taken into custody and brought into Essex County Jail shortly after 2am on Monday.

He has been charged with second-degree murder and unlawfully disposing of a corpse. A not guilty was entered for him during his arraignment on Monday, Ticonderoga Town Court officials said. He has been assigned a public defender.

Frattolin did not have a criminal record or reported instances of domestic violence.

Melina’s mother distanced herself from Frattolin in 2019. Frattolin in his bio on his company site mentioned an ‘unfortunate event that severely affected his well-being in 2019’.

‘Melina has also taught Luciano to let go of his rigid tendencies to keep everything in “perfect order,”‘ his bio reads.

‘His love for Melina’s messy art projects and chaotic ensemble of toys supersedes his love for a meticulously spotless home.’

A motive for the killing has not been determined.

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