NEW YORK – A tragedy has shaken Upstate New York, where 9-year-old Melina Frattolin from Canada, reported missing under suspicious circumstances, was found dead on Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Ticonderoga, about 35 miles from Lake George.
New York State Police (NYSP) are handling the investigation and have stated that the Amber Alert issued early Sunday morning was called off after Melina’s body was found. Investigators now say there is “no indication” of abduction, putting new focus on the statement given by her father, Luciano Frattolin.
The story began late Saturday evening, July 19, 2025, when Warren County 911 got a call just before 10 p.m. from Luciano Frattolin, a 45-year-old Canadian businessman. He claimed his daughter had been kidnapped near Exit 22 on Interstate 87 in Lake George.
Police dispatch records show Frattolin told officers that a man in a white van grabbed Melina Frattolin while they had stopped at a rest area. NYSP issued an Amber Alert at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, describing Melina as five feet tall, weighing about 100 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
She was last seen in light shorts, a black-and-white striped shirt, and white Adidas sneakers. The alert warned Melina Frattolin was in “imminent danger of serious bodily harm and/or death.” The search involved state and local police, sheriff’s offices, environmental conservation officers, State Forest Rangers, K9 teams, and air support.
Body of Melina Frattolin Recovered
By Sunday afternoon, the search ended in heartbreak. Several agencies helped find Melina Frattolin’s body in Ticonderoga, near the border with Vermont. According to a statement from Trooper Stephanie O’Neil, NYSP found “inconsistencies in the father’s account and the timeline.”
They determined that an abduction had not taken place. The Amber Alert ended at 4:18 p.m. Sunday, not because Melina Frattolin was safe, but because she was found dead—a detail that devastated the community.
Lake George and Ticonderoga residents are struggling to come to terms with the loss. Karen Thompson, a local, summed up the pain: “This is every parent’s worst nightmare. That poor girl deserved better.”
Melina Frattolin was remembered as a bright, energetic 9-year-old with connections to Montreal. A biography of her father’s coffee business described her as “the light of his life.”
Luciano Frattolin is described as a dedicated parent who enjoyed spending time with his daughter and was inspired by her outlook on life. The page mentions a “difficult event” in February 2019 that affected Luciano’s well-being, but offers no details.
Little is known about Melina’s mother or other relatives. Police have not released details about the family or why they were visiting Lake George, a popular vacation spot. NYSP has not said if Luciano Frattolin is in custody. The investigation is still active, with a press briefing set for Monday, July 21.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Reaction
NYSP took control of the case from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office due to jurisdiction rules. As of Sunday night, police have not named a suspect. They have not shared how Melina Frattolin died and have not confirmed if anyone faces charges.
Online posts have spread speculation, with some, like @JLRINVESTIGATES, naming Luciano Frattolin as possibly involved, but these claims remain unproven. “This case is devastating, and we’re dedicated to finding the truth,” said a NYSP spokesperson on Sunday.
Mistakes in Frattolin’s account raised more questions about what led up to Melina’s death. Initial reports said Melina was last seen at 7:40 p.m., but police later corrected the time to 9:40 p.m., which only added confusion.
The story of the white van, which played a big role in the Amber Alert, is now believed to be false since police say no abduction took place.
The heartbreaking ending brought an outpouring of anger and sadness online. Some posts condemned Luciano Frattolin and accused him of wrongdoing. Others, like @MarisaJacquesTV, posted updates with expressions of grief, noting that Melina should have been enjoying summer, not becoming part of a tragedy.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at (518) 743-2501 or call 911. They have said there is no current threat to the public, but the details of Melina’s death and her father’s involvement remain unclear. Many are demanding more answers.
As the Lake George and Ticonderoga communities come together to mourn, investigators continue searching for the truth about what happened to Melina. For now, a family grieves, and a young girl’s life, full of promise, has ended far too soon.
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