A Montreal man has been found guilty of killing his nine-year-old daughter and concealing her body, and could face up to life in prison. Luciano Frattolin, 46, was convicted of second-degree murder and concealment of a corpse after a jury deliberated for just one hour. He is due to be sentenced on October 14 and has a month to appeal the verdict.
Frattolin, founder of organic coffee brand Gambella, drowned Melina Frattolin last summer while on vacation in the Adirondacks, a mountain range in northeastern New York State. He had reported her missing on July 19, 2025, claiming she was forced into a white van by two men, which sparked an amber alert and a massive manhunt. However, prosecutors argued the murder was an apparent attempt to take revenge on his ex-wife, Kali Galanis, who he claimed was 'abusing' Melina.
Father's claims contradicted by evidence
Frattolin and Melina were nearing the end of a week-long US road trip when he reported her missing. He said he chased the van for about 20 minutes before stopping in Warren County to call police. But after Melina's remains were found hidden under a log in a remote pond in Ticonderoga, police arrested Frattolin. They said he repeatedly changed his story about his locations at the time of the alleged kidnap. The autopsy found Melina died from asphyxia due to drowning.
Electronic data was crucial in the case. Location data from Frattolin's phone and car, along with text and call records, allowed authorities to track his movements and disprove the white van story. Officers also discovered his wet clothes in a rubbish bag—the same outfit he was seen wearing on McDonald's CCTV with Melina, though he wore different clothes when reporting her missing.
Essex County District Attorney Michael Langey said during the trial: 'I think every second there was data in this case. We could see exactly where his vehicle was during the entire trip, and that was huge. Knowing that he wasn't where he was telling people he was was a big factor in them starting to turn the focus away from the abduction to, "why are you telling us you're here when you're not here?"'
Disturbing notes revealed
Perhaps the most chilling part of the case were notes found inside Frattolin's rental car, where he wrote about 'ending the madness.' In one note, he wrote: 'Let God decide. If you want to become famous. God, do not give me money until I end this evil. I mean big money, like $2 million.' In another, he wrote: 'Don't let Melina suffer anymore.' The notes also referenced Galanis and mentioned bringing his daughter to 'the end.'
Langey commented: 'It was something that when you read it, there definitely was a plan. He definitely knew a life was coming to an end somewhere on this vacation, no matter where he went.'
Trial reveals lack of remorse and family relief
Frattolin maintained his daughter was kidnapped, and the trial heard he showed no remorse as prosecutors presented the case. In closing statements on Monday, Langey said: 'Melina's short life came to a violent end. All stained with mud, her long, black hair that she'd just taken out of her braids, was covered in dirt and grass.'
Speaking about Galanis, he said: 'She waited for her daughter to come home all night, looked out the window. Her daughter never came home, and she had to get the call the next day that she was dead in a brook in Essex County, in New York.' CBC reports that Melina's loved ones sobbed in the courthouse after the verdict. Langey added: 'The grandparents were here, the aunts were here. They had to sit in the courtroom and there was a possibility, obviously, that he wasn't gonna get convicted. So it was a relief for them, and hopefully this could be some type of closure for them.'
