NY - Melina Frattolin, 9, Abducted, seen 9:40pm in a white van traveling south on I-87 near exit 22, Lake George, 19 Jul 2025 *arrest*

[Inthedetails]

That's a huge reason I think this is going to come down to a spur of the moment murder that was "caused" by his financial burdens. If he was going to plan it, he would have killed her in Canada, then created the abduction story. If it was an accident that he tried to conceal, he would look remorseful, or at least upset, in his mugshot. He looks fine in the photo, not like his daughter is dead. Classic spur of the moment family annihilater.

I'm on the fence, at the moment, whether it was planned or spontaneous.


jmo

 

[jesse]

Is there a reason he would do this in the US instead of Canada? Or New York in particular - are there any legal situations that would be in his benefit in US/NY vs Montreal?

No. I don't think it was planned.

 

[Tealgrove]

Debt of $200,000 is not the end of world. Declare bankruptcy. Deal with it. Take your lumps and start over.

So he killed his daughter because he was in debt, couldn’t afford to pay for her anymore, and chose his life, future and happiness over hers, because his fragile ego couldn’t deal with his circumstances.

That’s what we are talking about. His life and future vs Melina’s.

Think about that. Let that sink in.

I am without words.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

"He (Luciano) didn't offer much", Mulholland told WGNA.

"Even after several hours of interviews, he maintained the same story that two guys came along in a white van at the Exit 22 rest area while he relieved himself."

Mulholland told GNA that his story hasn't changed, and that the father still contends that Melina was kidnapped.

"He didn't crack, he has maintained his innocence, and he has not confessed," Mulholland explained.

"(Police) describe him as a sociopath."​

Police Say 'Sociopathic' Father Still Claims Daughter was Kidnapped

Mark Mulholland from News Channel 13 shared some chilling details with GNA about the man accused of killing Melina Frattolin.

q1057.com

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1947746636391719396

 

[shetalksinstereo]

Preliminary autopsy results

 

[tlcya]

The nine-year-old who was found dead hours after her father claimed she was kidnapped died from asphyxia due to drowning, according to her autopsy report.
Cause of death for Melina Frattolin revealed after being 'murdered'

 

[Seattle1]

Cause of death for Melina Frattolin revealed after being 'murdered'

The cause of death of Melina Frattolin, the nine-year-old girl who was found dead hours after her father claimed she was abducted, has been revealed.

www.dailymail.co.uk

7/22/25

Captain McConnell said Melina's mother, who has been estranged from Luciano since 2019, was expecting her daughter to be returned to her home in Montreal on Sunday.

The nine-year-old resided full time with her mother and her father visited without limitations. He also had zero criminal record, McConnell said.
________________________________

So why murder (drown) this beautiful child now? Since 2019, he had unlimited visitation and was even allowed to take her to America? This is so senseless. So sorry for the mother left to struggle with her loss at the hands of this monster.

 

[Snoopster]

The nine-year-old who was found dead hours after her father claimed she was kidnapped died from asphyxia due to drowning, according to her autopsy report.
Cause of death for Melina Frattolin revealed after being 'murdered'

Did he hold her down in that swampy pond?? if so, grrrrrr!!!

 

[Ghostwheel]

He could have wanted to start a Go F Me account for some funds.
Sympathy dollars.for his missing daughter/search expenses.
That can rack up.

I don't know whether to like this or or be very sad because some people really are just like that.

 

[Florida_marlin]

From his "How I met your mother " Instagram post, she is a beautiful woman, as was her little girl. I can't imagine the pain she's going through.

A few things stand out to me (speculation, IMOO):

Unacceptable separation: In February 2019, he went through "an unfortunate event that severely affected his well-being". That same year, he and Melina's mother separated and she got sole custody of their then 2-3 year old daughter

Loss of bearings: Unlike his daughter, he isn't a Canadian citizen. He comes on a visa every year for a few months. He has dual Ethiopian and Italian citizenship.

Self-centeredness: He tried to put his Ethiopian-Italian roots to good use by founding Gambella Coffee (date unknown). However, the company's website is essentially centered around himself (Our story = childhood pictures, About us - Our people = himself as founder)

Façade: In his (bloated, imo) bio, he describes himself as "an experienced entrepreneur with a proven track record of building diverse, high-performance businesses". However:

Lack of accountability: But the façade was cracking as he is entangled in multiple litigations (Scotia Bank, landloard, Air'bnb managers, former business partner) and potentially facing financial ruin in Canada - we don't yet know about his dealings in Ethiopia and Italy

Grandiosity: From his professional bio: "This philosophy translated into great financial success across numerous ventures, from architecture to real estate, to construction, mining and of course, coffee. While enjoying the rewards of his efforts, Luciano ultimately lost his passion for the art of life and his commitment to elevating the social consciousness of his peers and compatriots." Sounds to me like someone who's bloating his "accomplishments"

Control : From his professional bio: "On a lighter note, Melina has also taught Luciano to let go of his rigid tendencies to keep everything in “perfect order”—his love for Melina’s messy art projects and chaotic ensemble of toys supersedes his love for a meticulously spotless home."

Impulsivity: Living a "luxury lifestyle" above his means, possibly compulsive buying

Victim mentality: Why does his professional bio tell us about him being bullied as a kid, losing his father at 17, having lost his passion for the art of life, having gone through some kind of depression in 2019...

Anger/paranoia: According to La Presse, he "accuses his business partner of threatening to help little Melina's mother "to prevent him from entering Quebec due to unpaid taxes by his company"

Posters have mentioned: family annihilator, wound collector, classic narcissist, revenge on the mother. I'm thinking all of the above sound right.

Also: What kind of attachment did Melinda feel towards him? Her parents split when she was 2–3 years old. Then, from 2020 to 2022, the pandemic hit and disrupted international travel, so chances are she didn't get to see him at all during those important developmental years. After that, he would come over for vacations, just a few months a year...

According to Le Devoir, he's pleading not guilty to murder.

(The quotes are from Gambellacoffee dot com)

JMHO

Wow, you nailed that guy. I read the “Our Story” narrative and was going to post something at the time but I barfed all over my device reading that drivel. Your analysis is very perceptive and spot on. Better than what I could have done! What a narcissist and faker. I work for a corporation and have all my life. However, I have run little side income activities off and on, mostly centered around my hobbies. I suppose I’m a multi-business entrepreneur and CEO! Really, can the press quit referencing this murderer as a CEO. That just feeds into his grandiosity complex. The headlines ought to read, 100 time loser murders his child. Bless her sweet heart.

 

[mickey2942]

The nine-year-old who was found dead hours after her father claimed she was kidnapped died from asphyxia due to drowning, according to her autopsy report.
Cause of death for Melina Frattolin revealed after being 'murdered'

Interesting. Kids die all of the time from drowning. If he had just called it in, said she fell in the water, he couldn't get her out, he would have been fine. But he had to make a big over the top fake story about her being kidnapped.

Victim of his own inflated drama. Dang, no DP in NY.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

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

troopers.ny.gov

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.

 

[ASipowicz]

Apologies if this has already been discussed, but is it possible that debt-ridden LF had taken out a large life insurance policy on Melina? I realize it's a sickening thought but I wouldn't rule it out for this "sociopath". That mug shot .. there's not one iota of remorse or guilt or fear or sadness to be seen.

 

[Sunshine99]

Intentional drowning would be a cruel way to die. Cold. Very sociopath. How would he keep the mud off of his clothes? he would have to be naked or there are wet clothes somewhere.

 

[ttjo]

The Photos below are of the actual vehicle which was a 2024 gray Toyota Prius.

Oh a Prius, Porsches must have been in the shop

 

[ttjo]

Apologies if this has already been discussed, but is it possible that debt-ridden LF had taken out a large life insurance policy on Melina? I realize it's a sickening thought but I wouldn't rule it out for this "sociopath". That mug shot .. there's not one iota of remorse or guilt or fear or sadness to be seen.

I havent heard anything about that...yet.
I think it was just pure hatred of the mother?
I havent heard any details on why they split up, but kind of sounds like she figured out he was a 3 dressed up as a 9. a fake, a role player, tired of elevating the conciousness of his peers.... please

 

[whowy]

Did he hold her down in that swampy pond?? if so, grrrrrr!!!

Wondering if there were any signs of trauma found during the autopsy. Maybe he'd hit her- rendering her unconscious- and mistakenly thought she was dead. Then, in a panic to hide her body he weighted her down in the water.

 

[whowy]

Oh a Prius, Porsches must have been in the shop

Is it known whether the car was his or a rental for the trip?

 

[ttjo]

Is it known whether the car was his or a rental for the trip?

It doesnt say but if he was such a big wheel, he didnt need to rent an economical car for the trip. ( Role player)