NY - Melina Frattolin, 9, - fake report of being abducted - Lake George, 19 Jul 2025 *father arrest*

[Izzylizzy]

Dark Secrets Emerge as Wealthy Dad Faces Judge for Daughter's Murder​

 

[sunspun]

Dark Secrets Emerge as Wealthy Dad Faces Judge for Daughter's Murder​

Maybe I heard it wrong, but I thought the attorney speaking for the state said that Frattolin has $30 million in his bank account?! But the defense is saying he's broke with much debt.

It also stated that animal abuse charges were possible, because he allegedly left his dog in an apartment without food or water, when he left to go on this road trip with his daughter, which if I recall, was to last 2 weeks!

 

[truthfinder2019]

This case makes me particularly sick

 

[tigerlily96]

This case makes me particularly sick

Yep

 

[Seattle1]

Maybe I heard it wrong, but I thought the attorney speaking for the state said that Frattolin has $30 million in his bank account?! But the defense is saying he's broke with much debt.

It also stated that animal abuse charges were possible, because he allegedly left his dog in an apartment without food or water, when he left to go on this road trip with his daughter, which if I recall, was to last 2 weeks!

LF has no money in the US, and why he's represented by a public defender.

I think the prosecutor said he's realtor saw a foreign bank statement showing a balance of millions, which could either be fake or an account that LF does not have access to. IMO, LF is a fraud.

As for the dog he left behind, he could have made arrangements with a pet sitter that fell through, and he never checked on the pet, or perhaps this was a pet he kept for his child, and he intentionally left the dog the die because LF never planned on returning to Canada.

Who does that-- leaves their dog for 10 days w/o food or water? I suppose the same person capable of murdering their child. LF is such a vile human. JMO

 

[sunspun]

LF has no money in the US, and why he's represented by a public defender.

I think the prosecutor said he's realtor saw a foreign bank statement showing a balance of millions, which could either be fake or an account that LF does not have access to. IMO, LF is a fraud.

As for the dog he left behind, he could have made arrangements with a pet sitter that fell through, and he never checked on the pet, or perhaps this was a pet he kept for his child, and he intentionally left the dog the die because LF never planned on returning to Canada.

Who does that-- leaves their dog for 10 days w/o food or water? I suppose the same person capable of murdering their child. LF is such a vile human. JMO

That part about the dog made me think he planned on killing his daughter and then himself. But as they so often do, lost the courage to finish the plan. But who knows. Sickening in any case.

 

[Curious Me]

snipped to reply...perhaps this was a pet he kept for his child, and he intentionally left the dog the die because LF never planned on returning to Canada.

Completely selfish, whatever drove him to come up with this as a plan is a mystery to me because I don't see why he couldn't just disappear or just kill himself. Seems the trip was part of the plan. Take her back to her mother after the trip! Look at that precious child, take her back home! Was he worried he'd be viewed as less of a superstar in his daughter eyes and his ego wouldn't allow that? Was he aiming to hurt and destroy the daughter's mother too.

His actions reek of premeditation with leaving the dog, and choosing to take his daughter on a special long holiday trip to spend fun times together when it's very possible he knew every single day on that trip that he was going to end her life. If this is the case, he had all that time to change his mind and he still went ahead and killed her, what a empty human being.

There doesn't seem to be any monetary gain. I don't even know if he planned to kill himself because so soon after he was willing to report her missing. This is just my own thoughts as I struggle to fathom his sick motives. Did he do something he wanted to keep hidden maybe something she knew? Or did he do something to her? This post is all JMO.

​

 

[katydid23]

Completely selfish, whatever drove him to come up with this as a plan is a mystery to me because I don't see why he couldn't just disappear or just kill himself. Seems the trip was part of the plan. Take her back to her mother after the trip! Look at that precious child, take her back home! Was he worried he'd be viewed as less of a superstar in his daughter eyes and his ego wouldn't allow that? Was he aiming to hurt and destroy the daughter's mother too.

His actions reek of premeditation with leaving the dog, and choosing to take his daughter on a special long holiday trip to spend fun times together when it's very possible he knew every single day on that trip that he was going to end her life. If this is the case, he had all that time to change his mind and he still went ahead and killed her, what a empty human being.

There doesn't seem to be any monetary gain. I don't even know if he planned to kill himself because so soon after he was willing to report her missing. This is just my own thoughts as I struggle to fathom his sick motives. Did he do something he wanted to keep hidden maybe something she knew? Or did he do something to her? This post is all JMO.

​

Just going by a few other similar cases---where fathers invite their young children on a wonderful dream vacation---then inexplicably kill them---it seems like it is also designed to totally devastate their ex wives.

I think this vile monster was jealous of his ex-wife, and didnt want to return his child to her happy home.

<modsnip>

 

[Curious Me]

Could be, but... I keep trying to see this from all angles. I do seriously wonder if he did something to that child or she knew something about him that he had to suppress at all costs.

I think his motives were something more than hurting the mother. He's selfish and would do what benefits him or protects him. He seems very preoccupied with making money schemes, so I wonder if he thought he had to do away with the financial obligation of his daughter. Was he so strapped for money? Why even think of going on a trip? Was the mother asking he pay more support threatening him in any way? It seems the trip was a plan, and at the very end something was pressing him to get rid of his own daughter. He could've just taken her back home.

Just look at the photos of father and daughter together. That precious young girl supplied him with such adoration. Her mother trusted him enough to let him take the daughter on a long trip and out of the country. And yet, this might've been a premeditated plan? To end the daughter's life and lose his adoring little girl? Why?

All MOO and my own thoughts.​

 

[Onlyguessing23]

Could be, but... I keep trying to see this from all angles. I do seriously wonder if he did something to that child or she knew something about him that he had to suppress at all costs.

I think his motives were something more than hurting the mother. He's selfish and would do what benefits him or protects him. He seems very preoccupied with making money schemes, so I wonder if he thought he had to do away with the financial obligation of his daughter. Was he so strapped for money? Why even think of going on a trip? Was the mother asking he pay more support threatening him in any way? It seems the trip was a plan, and at the very end something was pressing him to get rid of his own daughter. He could've just taken her back home.

Just look at the photos of father and daughter together. That precious young girl supplied him with such adoration. Her mother trusted him enough to let him take the daughter on a long trip and out of the country. And yet, this might've been a premeditated plan? To end the daughter's life and lose his adoring little girl? Why?

All MOO and my own thoughts.​

This is my instinct also… he seemed to really love his daughter. But I fear she came across something potentially incriminating (photos on his phone..?) - some information that he could not afford to get out. Maybe he snapped or made the decision to suppress any possibility of exposing his secret at all costs.
MOO.

 

[Onlyguessing23]

“Luciano Frattolin, 45, was scheduled to start his trial in early January 2026 — but it has now been pushed back to sometime early next year, possibly in March, according to the office of the Acting District Attorney for Essex County.”
…

Trial delayed for Montreal man accused of killing daughter, hiding body in N.Y. state

The trial of the Montreal man accused of killing his nine-year-old daughter and hiding her body in New York state has been delayed.

www.ctvnews.ca

 

[mickey2942]

“Luciano Frattolin, 45, was scheduled to start his trial in early January 2026 — but it has now been pushed back to sometime early next year, possibly in March, according to the office of the Acting District Attorney for Essex County.”
…

Trial delayed for Montreal man accused of killing daughter, hiding body in N.Y. state

The trial of the Montreal man accused of killing his nine-year-old daughter and hiding her body in New York state has been delayed.

www.ctvnews.ca

Such a waste of time. In some cases, they should be given a 60 day bench trial. Call it done.

 

[mickey2942]

Just going by a few other similar cases---where fathers invite their young children on a wonderful dream vacation---then inexplicably kill them---it seems like it is also designed to totally devastate their ex wives.

I think this vile monster was jealous of his ex-wife, and didnt want to return his child to her happy home.

<modsnip>

He wasn't used to children. I think that he was angry and frustrated with her. She may not have been "appreciative" enough for him. And was probably extremely happy after talking to her mother. Which probably put him into a huge rage. I think that he had a moment of counter-transference, and put his rage on her Mother on her.

Kids are not perfect. You can plan a perfect trip in your head. And then the child "ruins" it by getting sick, whining...whatever. It takes an instant of rage, and then...he had a mess to clean up. And create a story for a cover up.

It was too elaborate. He should have just said she got mad, and ran away. No drama, no story...

Narcissists always create an elaborate story. They can't do anything simple.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

New article. It is behind a paywall.

April trial date set for father accused of killing 9-year-old last summer
Luciano Frattolin was arrested July 21, 2025, on one count of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a human corpse after his daughter Melina's...

 

[Seattle1]

New article. It is behind a paywall.

April trial date set for father accused of killing 9-year-old last summer
Luciano Frattolin was arrested July 21, 2025, on one count of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a human corpse after his daughter Melina's...

Thank you.

We know that in December, jury selection had been set for January 2026, but was pushed out to March. So now it's pushed out another month to April. So be it -- he's in custody.

Trial delayed for man accused of killing daughter, hiding body in northern New York

Luciano Frattolin was accused of killing his 9-year-old daughter in July and hiding her body near Ticonderoga

www.mynbc5.com

 

[Seattle1]

Case Information Court Essex County Court (M-B)
Case #IND-70234-25/001
Defendant Frattolin, Luciano

Next Appearance​

• Date:February 25, 2026
• Time:09:30 AM
• Court:Essex County Court (M-B)
• Essex County Court
• Judge:Coffinger, Tatiana N.
• Part:TNC

01/29/2026 09:00 AM	Coffinger, Tatiana N. TNC	Motion	Adjournment		Motion Disposed - Partially Granted
02/25/2026 09:30 AM	Coffinger, Tatiana N. TNC	Hearing	Adjournment
04/20/2026 09:00 AM	Coffinger, Tatiana N. TNC	Jury Trial	Trial

Defendant Search

 

[mickey2942]

Well, at least things are moving along at a fast clip. These things just drive me crazy. Sure, right to a jury trial. The man killed his 9 year old daughter. Where is the defense here?

 

[Orbweaver]

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

I know this post is 6 months old and I still haven't caught up through this whole thread but I can't help myself... You really hit the nail on the head with this breakdown. This guy is a total idiot. I'm often in a position to evaluate potential partners for my company. My boss and I would absolutely ROAST this guy if someone with a website like this reached out to us. So much flowery language with zero content. All the sugar and none of the fiber. I'm not in the coffee/restaurant business but there are plenty of fickle showmen in my industry and it only takes a couple of pointed questions to break through their facade. I genuinely cannot imagine any legitimate business would touch someone like this with a 10 foot pole. His bio screams instability, unreliability, and narcissism.

Sorry I know this is probably off topic to recent conversations about him but perhaps part of justice is peeling off this guys carefully curated mask and laughing at the idiot behind it.

RIP Melina, you deserved so much better.