AMBER ALERT: MELINA FRATTOLIN
Melina Galanis Frattolin
Melina went missing on July 19, triggering an Amber Alert on July 20, 2025.
Melina is about 5′ tall, 100 lb, brown hair and eyes, last seen in light-colored shorts, a black-and-white striped shirt, and white Adidas sneak
Warren County 911 received a call from a man reporting his 9-year-old daughter missing, with a possible abduction, in the area of Exit 22 of I-87 in Lake George, New York. The child was identified as Melina Frattolin, age 9, and the caller as her father, Luciano Frattolin, age 45, both residents of Canada. Melina’s father, Luciano Frattolin, reports her missing. He allegedly told authorities that she was taken while they were driving or had stopped in the Lake George area.
But her body was found that same day in Ticonderoga. Inconsistencies in her father’s statements have raised questions about the original abduction narrative. The investigation remains active, but police currently report no ongoing public threat and no identified abductor.
Melina Galanis Frattolin
Timeline: Melina Frattolin
Disappearance and Death of Missing Melina Galanis Frattolin
Friday, July 11, 2025
- Melina and her father, Luciano Frattolin, enter the United States from Canada. Luciano Frattolin had partial custody of his daughter and had informed the mother about the trip.
- Note: Melina was residing with her mother in Canada and was scheduled to return by July 20, 2025.
Saturday, July 19, 2025
- 5:30 PM: Melina is reportedly seen in Saratoga Springs, NY. Source
- 6:30 PM: Melina has a phone call with her mother.
- This is believed to be her last confirmed communication.
- 9:40 PM: Melina is allegedly last seen traveling southbound on I‑87 near Exit 22 (Lake George area) in a white van.
- This sighting becomes the basis for an AMBER Alert.
- 9:58 PM: Warren County 911 receives a call from a man reporting a possible abduction.
- Caller: Luciano Frattolin, 45, Melina’s father.
- He states:
- They had stopped at a parking lot so he could use the restroom.
- Upon returning, Melina was missing from the vehicle.
- He reports seeing a white van fleeing southbound on I‑87.
Sunday, July 20, 2025
- 1:30 AM: AMBER Alert issued by New York State Police for Melina Galanis Frattolin.
- She is described as being in imminent danger.
- Search initiated involving:
- New York State Police
- Warren County Sheriff’s Office
- Essex County Sheriff’s Office
- Ticonderoga Police Department
- NY State Forest Rangers
- DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation)
- K-9 Units
- NYSP Aviation Unit
- Time Unknown: During a follow-up interview, Luciano changes his story:
- Now claims two unknown males forcibly abducted Melina into a white van.
- ~3:30 PM: During a grid search in the Ticonderoga area, a DEC officer finds Melina’s body in the shallow part of a pond.
- Authorities withhold specific location and condition of the body.
- 4:30 PM: AMBER Alert canceled by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.
- 5:00 PM: State Police release a statement noting: Source
- Inconsistencies in Luciano’s accounts.
- No evidence confirming an abduction.
- No current threat to the public.
Background Notes on Luciano Frattolin
- History of Domestic Violence:
- Prior restraining orders issued.
- Conflicting statements in Melina’s case.
- Described as a resident of Canada, like Melina.
- Founder of Gambella Coffee, an organic coffee company based in Canada.
- Lake George, the location he claimed Melina disappeared from, is located ~60 miles north of Albany, in upstate NY.
Monday, July 21, 2025
- 2:04 AM: Luciano Frattolin arrested and booked for 2nd Degree Murder.
Source
Frattolin has been charged with second‑degree murder and concealment of a human corpse and is held in Essex County. An arraignment is scheduled in Ticonderoga Town Court. - 2:08 AM: Custody status updated:
- In Custody at Essex County Jail
- Charge: Murder 2nd Degree
- Autopsy scheduled for July 21 to determine cause and manner of death.
- 10:00 AM: Frattolin was arraigned in town court, where a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf. He was sent back to the Essex County jail where he was being held on the murder charge as well as a count of concealment of a human corpse. Court records: Source
- Press Conference Source
Custody Status:
- Name: Luciano Frattolin
- Date: Jul 21, 2025 02:08 AM EDT
- Charges: Murder of 2nd Degree
- Custody Status: In Custody
- Custody Detail: Essex County Jail Book
- Date: Jul 21, 2025 02:04 AM EDT
July 22, 2025
Autopsy Conducted Source
- Forensic Pathologist: Dr. Michael Sikirica performed the autopsy on Melina Frattolin at Glens Falls Hospital.
- Preliminary Cause of Death: Asphyxia due to drowning.
- Manner of Death: Homicide (officially ruled).
- Final Report: Pending further laboratory testing and toxicology analysis. Additional results are expected to provide more insight into time of death, presence of substances, and possible injuries.
Friday, July 25 2025
- 1:00 PM: Frattolin is due back in court at 1 p.m. on Friday.
July 30, 2025
- Frattolin pleaded not guilty, following his initial not guilty plea last week. His request for cash bail was denied by Judge Tatiana Coffinger, after acting Essex County DA Michael Langey argued that he was a flight risk due to his citizenship in Ethiopia and Italy, as well as his ties in Canada.
- Frattolin allegedly concealed Melina’s body in a pond in Ticonderoga. The indictment stated he allegedly placed her body, “… in a wooded area in the water near a fallen tree with a rock on top of the corpse, with intent to prevent its production, use or discovery.”
Records
Father: Luciano Frattolin
Luciano Frattolin
Luciano Frattolin Born in the remote Ethiopian village of Gambella to an Ethiopian mother and Italian father, Luciano’s early life was shaped by the cultural contrasts between rural Africa and metropolitan Milan. These formative experiences
fueled his enduring passion for social consciousness, innovation, and global equity.
Educated in the United States and London, Luciano overcame personal adversity and the loss of his father at 17. Over the course of his career, Frattolin has founded and led various private ventures and investment initiatives, with a focus on both emerging and established markets. He is known for his interdisciplinary business style and interest in international development. .
After a life-altering event in 2019, Luciano redirected his energy toward impact-driven investments focused on creativity, community well-being, and human potential.
At the time of recent events involving his daughter, Frattolin was residing in Montreal, Canada.
Melina Galanis Frattolin
Timeline: Melina Frattolin
Disappearance and Death of Missing Melina Galanis Frattolin
Luciano Frattolin: Timeline of Key Events
Grew up in Gambella, in the Keffa region of Ethiopia Source
2012 – Foundation of Sekota Mining Source
- Event: Luciano Frattolin establishes Sekota Mining PLC in Ethiopia.
- Details: The company was launched with the intent to explore and develop iron ore and other mineral resources in Ethiopia.
- Location: Amhara Region, Ethiopia.
2013 – Relocation to Canada
- Event: Frattolin moves to Canada.
- Details: Despite relocating, he continues managing and expanding his business operations in Ethiopia.
2016 – Birth of Daughter, Melina
- Event: Melina Frattolin is born.
- Details: Melina later becomes the central figure in a 2025 tragedy that draws international media attention.
2017 – Major Iron Ore Concession
- Event: Sekota Mining, led by Frattolin, enters a 20-year concession agreement. Source
- Details:
- Partnered with Being CBRF Technology Group.
- Concession granted by the Ethiopian government to extract iron ore in the Amhara region.
- Estimated investment: $500 million USD.
- Source: Ethiopian business and mining sector reports.
2019 – Health Crisis & Founding of Gambella Coffee
- Event 1: Frattolin reportedly suffers a major health crisis, referred to as an “unfortunate event.”
- Leads to a significant shift in personal and business philosophy.
- Event 2: Separation from Melina’s mother
- Melina was residing with her mother full time in Canada.
- Event 3: He launches Gambella Coffee. Source
- A premium, ethically-sourced coffee brand.
- Based in Montreal, Canada.
- Named after his birthplace in Ethiopia.
- Focused on socially responsible sourcing and storytelling through coffee.
July 15, 2023
- Travels to Milan Source Source
August 27, 2023
- First packaging design prototype unveiled for Gambella Coffee. Shared via Instagram with the caption: “Worked really hard to get to this point… this is the first version only.” Likely refers to a new product line or sustainable packaging initiative. Source and Source
July 2025 – Melina’s Disappearance & Death
- Event: During a visit to Lake George, New York, Luciano reports Melina missing. Source
- Initial Claim: Abduction.
- Amber Alert Issued: Prompted wide regional search.
- Discovery: Melina’s body is later found in Ticonderoga, NY.
- Law Enforcement:
- Investigators find inconsistencies in Frattolin’s account.
- Amber Alert is deemed unwarranted.
- Frattolin becomes a focus of the ongoing investigation.
- As of now, no formal charges have been filed.
Sources: