ELIZABETHTOWN, NY – Demented Canadian dad Luciano Frattolin was found guilty Monday of drowning his 9-year-old daughter in an Adirondacks swamp last summer in a twisted bid to get revenge on his ex-wife.
A jury in Elizabethtown, New York, wasted no time convicting the fallen coffee entrepreneur of murdering little Melina and dumping her body near Ticonderoga during vacation in July 2025.
He then drummed up a tall tale — claiming Melina had been kidnapped, triggering an Amber alert and sparking a massive manhunt across the Adirondacks.
Luciano Frattolin was found guilty of murdering his 9-year-old daughter Melina (pictured). Instagram/Luciano Frattolin
Luciano Frattolin arriving at Essex County Court in Elizabethtown, NY on July 24, 2026. Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP
He now faces life in prison on second-degree murder and concealment of a body raps following weeks of testimony in Essex County Court.
“Melina’s short life came to a violent end,” Essex County District Attorney Michael Langey said during closing statements Monday, delivering a death glare across the courtroom at Frattolin, who quickly averted his gaze.
“All stained with mud, her long black hair, that she’d just took out of her braids, was covered in dirt and grass.”
Frattolin shook his head, at no point showing remorse for drowning the girl and then trying to cover up her body with a large rock.
The twisted dad had even considered taking the stand, but revealed Monday morning he’d begrudgingly decided not to.
The site where Frattolin dumped Melina’s body near Ticonderoga. Vaughn Golden for NY Post
“I really want to, but I was advised not to,” he told Judge Tatiana Coffinger of his decision not to testify.
He remained silent as he was led from the courthouse in handcuffs before being hauled to the county jail, where he’ll remain until he’s sentenced in October.
Jurors deliberated for only about an hour before handing down their verdict.
Frattolin killed Melina in a bid to get revenge on his ex-wife. Instagram/Luciano Frattolin
Frattolin faces a sentence of life in prison. Essex County Sheriff’s Office
Melina’s mom, Kali Galanis, had full custody over her after she broke off she and Frattolin’s long distance relationship in 2019.
In recent years, Kali had permitted Melina to see Luciano on yearly trips, such as one planned to Ethiopia last year until something prompted the Montreal-based Mom to cancel the plans, allowing them to take a trip to New York City instead.
Langey said had law enforcement not had access to Frattolin’s cell phone and other location data, and the wherewithal to check it despite his kidnapping tale, Melina might never have been found.
“Their arrest will not have been made. They would have never found her that far away that fast. I don’t know if they ever would have found her,” Langey said.