Montreal Father Denies Killing Daughter in New York

Luciano Frattolin, a 45-year-old Montreal businessman, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse in the death of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Galanis Frattolin, during a vacation in upstate New York. Prosecutors allege Frattolin drowned Melina on July 19, then falsely claimed she was abducted and triggered an Amber Alert before her body was found in a Ticonderoga pond the next day. Preliminary autopsy results determined she died from asphyxia due to drowning, and the death was ruled a homicide. Frattolin was denied bail over concerns about alleged significant assets and multiple passports, though his defense disputes some claims. He remains in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for August 19 and a jury trial set for January 2026. Authorities have not disclosed any motive in the case.