Melina Frattolin death: how New York cops found girl’s body after father Luciano’s account and timeline showed inconsistencies

Amid the disappearance of Melina Frattolin, here’s a breakdown of how there were inconsistencies in her father Luciano’s statements, which took a more sinister turn. Luciano Frattolin, who identified himself as the father, called 911 in Warren County, New York, on July 19, 2025, shortly before 10 p.m., to report that his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin, had disappeared near Exit 22 of I-87 near Lake George, claiming someone abducted his daughter.

Also read: Who is Luciano Frattolin? The grieving father at the heart of the Melina Frattolin tragedy

Luciano introduced himself as a 45-year-old Canadian parent. It would be found later, that inconsistencies were found between the father’s timeline and the evidence collected.The New York Police Department immediately followed through, by starting a search, after delegation from Warren County.


The official police report from NYPD:

On July 19, 2025, at approximately 9:58 p.m., 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.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office initially led the investigation. As the case progressed, law enforcement identified inconsistencies in the father’s account of events and the timeline he provided.

With the assistance of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Ticonderoga Police Department, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Forest Rangers, and New York State Police K9 and Aviation units, Melina was located deceased in Ticonderoga, New York.

Due to jurisdictional considerations, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office has turned the investigation over to the New York State Police. At this time, there is no indication that an abduction occurred, and there is no threat to the public.

The investigation is ongoing. A media event is anticipated on July 21, 2025.

Authorities observed differences between the evidence they were collecting and the father's timeline.

Law enforcement's attention was diverted by these inconsistencies in the father's story, according to sources close to the inquiry.

The reports stated that his movements, timing, and justifications didn't match up with witness statements and camera evidence.

The truth of kidnapping cases are found by analysing the movements, timing, and justification. If the complainant’s story didn’t match the physical evidence like GPS, surveillance, phone records, receipts, or any illogical discovery during scrutiny, would only entice the police to look harder at the complainant.

Also read: What happened to Melina Galanis Frattolin? Everything we know so far about the missing 9-year-old found de

That’s often how bodies are found in these cases: by retracing steps the suspect tried to obscure.

Police were able to retrace the father's movements more completely as a result of this change in focus.

Police sources verify the finding occurred after filling in the blanks in the father's conflicting account, even though authorities have not disclosed specifics regarding the location or manner of the body's discovery.

Investigators eventually found Melina's body as a result of those gaps, which prompted a reexamination of important sites.

Lacking jurisprudence within the US, the Warren County Sheriff handed over the case to the NYPD (New York Police Department).

One of the most important details was that the officials determined that no evidence of a 'possible' abduction or threats to the public were found, contrary to the 911 allegation from Luciano Frattolin.

The inquiry is still under progress. Law enforcement officers are anticipated to answer questions regarding the case at any news conference.

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Call (518) 783-3284, the Public Information Officer, Stepahnie O’Neal, or by emailng gpio@troopers.ny.gov