A nine-year-old girl was allegedly drowned by her father in a marshy lake in upstate New York, prosecutors said during his murder trial. Melina Frattolin's body was found near Eagle Lake in Ticonderoga in July 2025, with her lungs, airway, and stomach filled with mud, debris, and plants, according to medical experts. Her father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, the founder of coffee company Gambella, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges. Prosecutors allege he killed his daughter as part of a scheme to avoid paying child support.
Key Facts & Developments
Prosecutors presented cell phone data placing Frattolin near the lake where his daughter's body was found. Medical examiner Dr. Michael Sikirica testified that Melina's death was 'definitely a drowning case,' with her lungs filled with mud and plant debris. Frattolin initially claimed his daughter had been kidnapped by two men in a white van when she was reported missing on July 19, 2025.
Background & Context
Melina's mother, Kali Galanis, testified that her daughter had begged not to go on a trip with her father months before the alleged murder. Galanis said she canceled a planned trip to Ethiopia after Melina expressed discomfort. Frattolin later suggested a domestic trip through the northeastern U.S., which Melina was on when she died. Prosecutors allege Frattolin and Melina traveled through Connecticut and New York before her scheduled return to Quebec.
Legal Proceedings
During the trial, Frattolin was seen scribbling on a legal notepad as prosecutors presented evidence. Jurors were shown gruesome images of Melina's body, which Frattolin avoided looking at. The trial continues as prosecutors build their case against him.