New York State Police have charged a Canadian father with murdering his 9-year-old daughter and disposing of her body in a wooded area. State Police officials charged Luciano Frattolin, 45, of Montreal, with second-degree murder and improper disposal of a human corpse after they located the body of Melina Frattolin on Sunday night in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga.Police would not specify the area in which Frattolin’s body was found due to the nature of their ongoing investigation.Luciano Frattolin appeared in court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to both charges. He was ordered held at the Essex County Correctional Facility until a felony hearing on July 25.Video: See the moment Luciano Frattolin leaves court following first appearanceOfficials said that the girl and her father had entered the United States legally on July 11 for a planned vacation in New York. The pair were expected to return home on Sunday, July 20.Police said Luciano had partial custody of his daughter and had informed the mother that he was taking his daughter on the trip.Frattolin and her father had visited New York City and were in Saratoga Springs on Saturday evening just hours before the murder happened. Frattolin, who was seen on surveillance video at 5:30 p.m. that evening, had called her mother from Saratoga Springs shortly after that to tell her the trip was going well and they were preparing to return home. Related video: Watch a recording of the police update charging Frattolin with murderPolice said several hours later, around 10 p.m., Luciano Frattolin called police to say that he had pulled over near Lake George to urinate and that when he returned to his vehicle, Melina was missing. He also reported a suspicious white van with two men inside leaving the area.Police said they determined that Luciano fabricated that story. Police would also not specify why they concentrated their search in the Ticonderoga area.The Warren County Sheriff’s Office, said they found the body of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin with assistance from Ticonderoga Police Department, New York State Forest Rangers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Police K9 and Aviation units.Forest Rangers coordinated the search and her body was found during a grid search in the Ticonderoga area. New York State Police have taken jurisdiction over the investigation.Luciano Frattolin does not have a history of mental disorder or domestic violence, according to police. He also does not have a criminal record.The Gambella Coffee website lists Frattolin as a founder. However, as of Monday, the website is unavailable to view.In the About Us section of the site, Frattolin says he spends as much time in Montreal as he can with his “beautiful” daughter Melina who is “the light of his life.”He is currently being held and is in court this morning to answer to the charges.Melina Frattolin’s cause of death is still listed as pending, with an autopsy scheduled for later Monday.Police offered their condolences to Frattolin’s family following the incident. The Police Benevolent Association of New York State President James McCartney put out a statement Sunday, saying they are saddened to learn of Frattolin’s death. “The PBA of New York State is extremely saddened to learn of the death of Melina Galanis Frattolin, the 9-year-old girl reported missing in Lake George the evening of July 19, 2025.Our PBA-member New York State Forest Rangers coordinated the search for Melina. During this process, a NYSDEC Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO), also a PBA member, discovered the girl’s body while participating in a grid search in the Ticonderoga area.The PBA of New York State sends our deepest condolences to the family of Melina Galanis Frattolin. Our thoughts are also with our member Forest Rangers and ECO’s dealing with the grief of this horrific tragedy.”New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also reacted to the news on social media on Sunday.”Heartbreaking news out of Lake George.” ” are working tirelessly to hold those responsible fully accountable.” Anyone with information about Frattolin’s disappearance should call the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at 518-743-2500 or 911.

New York State Police have charged a Canadian father with murdering his 9-year-old daughter and disposing of her body in a wooded area.

State Police officials charged Luciano Frattolin, 45, of Montreal, with second-degree murder and improper disposal of a human corpse after they located the body of Melina Frattolin on Sunday night in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga.

Police would not specify the area in which Frattolin’s body was found due to the nature of their ongoing investigation.

Luciano Frattolin

Essex County Sheriff’s Office

Luciano Frattolin appeared in court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to both charges. He was ordered held at the Essex County Correctional Facility until a felony hearing on July 25.

Video: See the moment Luciano Frattolin leaves court following first appearance

Officials said that the girl and her father had entered the United States legally on July 11 for a planned vacation in New York. The pair were expected to return home on Sunday, July 20.

Police said Luciano had partial custody of his daughter and had informed the mother that he was taking his daughter on the trip.

Frattolin and her father had visited New York City and were in Saratoga Springs on Saturday evening just hours before the murder happened. Frattolin, who was seen on surveillance video at 5:30 p.m. that evening, had called her mother from Saratoga Springs shortly after that to tell her the trip was going well and they were preparing to return home.

Related video: Watch a recording of the police update charging Frattolin with murder

Police said several hours later, around 10 p.m., Luciano Frattolin called police to say that he had pulled over near Lake George to urinate and that when he returned to his vehicle, Melina was missing. He also reported a suspicious white van with two men inside leaving the area.

Police said they determined that Luciano fabricated that story. Police would also not specify why they concentrated their search in the Ticonderoga area.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office, said they found the body of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin with assistance from Ticonderoga Police Department, New York State Forest Rangers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Police K9 and Aviation units.

Forest Rangers coordinated the search and her body was found during a grid search in the Ticonderoga area. New York State Police have taken jurisdiction over the investigation.

Luciano Frattolin does not have a history of mental disorder or domestic violence, according to police. He also does not have a criminal record.

The Gambella Coffee website lists Frattolin as a founder. However, as of Monday, the website is unavailable to view.

In the About Us section of the site, Frattolin says he spends as much time in Montreal as he can with his “beautiful” daughter Melina who is “the light of his life.”

He is currently being held and is in court this morning to answer to the charges.

Melina Frattolin’s cause of death is still listed as pending, with an autopsy scheduled for later Monday.

Police offered their condolences to Frattolin’s family following the incident.

The Police Benevolent Association of New York State President James McCartney put out a statement Sunday, saying they are saddened to learn of Frattolin’s death.

“The PBA of New York State is extremely saddened to learn of the death of Melina Galanis Frattolin, the 9-year-old girl reported missing in Lake George the evening of July 19, 2025.

Our PBA-member New York State Forest Rangers coordinated the search for Melina. During this process, a NYSDEC Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO), also a PBA member, discovered the girl’s body while participating in a grid search in the Ticonderoga area.

The PBA of New York State sends our deepest condolences to the family of Melina Galanis Frattolin. Our thoughts are also with our member Forest Rangers and ECO’s dealing with the grief of this horrific tragedy.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also reacted to the news on social media on Sunday.

“Heartbreaking news out of Lake George.”

“[New York State Police] are working tirelessly to hold those responsible fully accountable.”

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Anyone with information about Frattolin’s disappearance should call the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at 518-743-2500 or 911.