Canadian dad accused of killing 9-year-old girl in New York, falsely reporting her abducted

An amber alert was issued Saturday night for an abduction in Lake George, with police finding the victim deceased in Ticonderoga

An amber alert was issued Saturday night for an abduction in Lake George, with police finding the victim deceased in Ticonderoga

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IS OUR HOME. <NBC5 News At 4:00 starts now> <26:56 "the investigation has determined, sometime after melina's phone call with her mother and before mr. Frattolin's 911 call, he alegedly murdered melina and left her body in a remote area where she was later discovered by law enforcement." 27:09> A CANADIAN MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DURING A WEEKEND TRIP TO UPSTATE NEW YORK. THANKS FOR BEING WITH US AT 4. I'M JACK THURSTON. LAUREN HAS THE DAY OFF. MELINA FRATTOLIN WAS VACATIONING WITH HER FATHER, LUCIANO IN LAKE GEORGE. HE CALLED 9-1-1 AND REPORTED HER MISSING. BUT POLICE SAID TODAY THERE WERE INCONSISTENCES WITH THAT STORY. TODAY WERE LEARNED FRATTOLIN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY DURING THE SEARCH FOR HIS DAUGHTER AROUND THE TICONDEROGA AREA. <25:00 During that search detail, at approximately 10:50, memebrs of the New York state police forest rangers located Melina, deceaesd in the shallow portion of a pond.> TODAY POLICE ARE CONTINUING TO INVESTIGATE THAT AREA WHERE SHE WAS FOUND IN TICONDEROGA OUR JAMES MALONEY HAS BEEN FOLLOWING HOW THIS CASE HAS DEVELOPED SO FAR. JAMES... WHAT ELSE DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THE TIMELINE OF EVENTS? YES JACK AS POLICE CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE. LUCIANO FRATTOLIN - MELINA'S FATHER - APPEARED IN THIS COURT ROOM BEHIND ME THIS MORNING. <James M "Do you have anything to say about these charges?"> WALKING OUT OF COURT IN SILENCE AND IN SHACKLES MONDAY, after PLEADING NOT GUILTY TO THE CHARGES OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND CONCEALMENT OF A CORPSE-- HIS OWN DAUGHTER. POLICE SAY FRATTOLIN CALLLED 911 ON SATURDAY REPORTING HIS DAUGHTER HAD BEEN ABDUCTED AT A PARKING AREA OFF OF I-87 NEAR LAKE GEORGE. HE TOLD POLICE TWO MALES PUT HER INTO A WHITE VAN AND DROVE AWAY. AN AMBER ALTER WAS ISSUED LATER, BUT after investigating POLICE Frattolin's account wasn't true and THE ALERT WAS CANCELLED. POLICE SUSPECTED THE FRATTOLINS VISTIED TICONDEROGA ON THEIR TRIP. Authorities say THEY FOUND MELINA'S BODY UNDER A LOG IN A POND NEAR EAGLE LAKE. <10;23;35;08 - 10;24;04;14 Captain Robert McConnell New York State Police This is certainly a difficult case and a heartbreaking investigation on behalf of the New York State Police and our law enforcement partners. I want to offer our condolences to the family of Molina.> THE RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY ARE PENDING. POLICE SAY LUCIANO FRATTOLIN HAD NO PREVIOUS HISTORY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. ACCORDING TO his SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES Frattolin called himself A LOVING DAD AND PROUD FATHER. Frattolin IS EXPECTED TO APPEAR IN COURT AGAIN THIS FRIDAY. COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE ORGANIZING A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL IN H

Updated: 4:15 PM EDT Jul 22, 2025

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Canadian dad accused of killing 9-year-old girl in New York, falsely reporting her abducted

An amber alert was issued Saturday night for an abduction in Lake George, with police finding the victim deceased in Ticonderoga

Updated: 4:15 PM EDT Jul 22, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

New York State Police have charged a Canadian father with murdering his 9-year-old daughter and disposing of her body in a wooded area. State Police officials charged Luciano Frattolin, 45, of Montreal, with second-degree murder and improper disposal of a human corpse after they located the body of Melina Frattolin on Sunday night in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga.Police would not specify the area in which Frattolin’s body was found due to the nature of their ongoing investigation.Luciano Frattolin appeared in court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to both charges. He was ordered held at the Essex County Jail until a felony hearing on July 25.Video: See the moment Luciano Frattolin leaves court following first appearanceOfficials said that the girl and her father had entered the United States legally on July 11 for a planned vacation in New York. The pair were expected to return home on Sunday, July 20.Police said Luciano had partial custody of his daughter and had informed the mother that he was taking his daughter on the trip. Frattolin and his wife had been estranged since 2019, according to police.Melina Frattolin and her father had visited New York City and were in Saratoga Springs on Saturday evening just hours before the murder happened. Frattolin, who was seen on surveillance video at 5:30 p.m. that evening, had called her mother from Saratoga Springs shortly after that to tell her the trip was going well and they were preparing to return home. Related video: Watch a recording of the police update charging Frattolin with murderPolice said several hours later, around 10 p.m., Luciano Frattolin called police to say that he had pulled over near Lake George to urinate and that when he returned to his vehicle, Melina was missing. He also reported a suspicious white van with two men inside leaving the area.Police said they determined that Luciano fabricated that story. Police would also not specify why they concentrated their search in the Ticonderoga area.The Warren County Sheriff's Office, said they found the body of Melina Frattolin with assistance from Ticonderoga Police Department, New York State Forest Rangers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Police K9 and Aviation units.Forest Rangers coordinated the effort, and her body was found during a grid search in the Ticonderoga area. New York State Police have taken jurisdiction over the investigation.Luciano Frattolin does not have a history of mental disorder or domestic violence, according to police. He also does not have a criminal record.The Gambella Coffee website lists Frattolin as a founder. However, as of Monday, the website is unavailable to view.In the About Us section of the site, Frattolin says he spends as much time in Montreal as he can with his "beautiful" daughter Melina who is "the light of his life."He is currently being held and appeared in court on Monday to answer to the charges.Melina Frattolin’s cause of death is still listed as pending, with an autopsy scheduled for later this weekPolice offered their condolences to Frattolin’s family following the incident. The Police Benevolent Association of New York State President James McCartney put out a statement Sunday, saying they are saddened to learn of Frattolin's death. "The PBA of New York State is extremely saddened to learn of the death of Melina Galanis Frattolin, the 9-year-old girl reported missing in Lake George the evening of July 19, 2025.Our PBA-member New York State Forest Rangers coordinated the search for Melina. During this process, a NYSDEC Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO), also a PBA member, discovered the girl’s body while participating in a grid search in the Ticonderoga area.The PBA of New York State sends our deepest condolences to the family of Melina Galanis Frattolin. Our thoughts are also with our member Forest Rangers and ECO’s dealing with the grief of this horrific tragedy."New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also reacted to the news on social media on Sunday."Heartbreaking news out of Lake George." " are working tirelessly to hold those responsible fully accountable." Anyone with information about Frattolin's disappearance should call the Warren County Sheriff's Office at 518-743-2500 or 911. A candlelight vigil is scheduled to be held for Frattolin in Ticonderoga on Tuesday night.Related video: Autopsy reveals cause of death for Melina Frattolin

New York State Police have charged a Canadian father with murdering his 9-year-old daughter and disposing of her body in a wooded area.

State Police officials charged Luciano Frattolin, 45, of Montreal, with second-degree murder and improper disposal of a human corpse after they located the body of Melina Frattolin on Sunday night in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga.

Police would not specify the area in which Frattolin’s body was found due to the nature of their ongoing investigation.

Essex County Sheriff's Office

Luciano Frattolin appeared in court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to both charges. He was ordered held at the Essex County Jail until a felony hearing on July 25.

Video: See the moment Luciano Frattolin leaves court following first appearance

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Officials said that the girl and her father had entered the United States legally on July 11 for a planned vacation in New York. The pair were expected to return home on Sunday, July 20.

Police said Luciano had partial custody of his daughter and had informed the mother that he was taking his daughter on the trip. Frattolin and his wife had been estranged since 2019, according to police.

Melina Frattolin and her father had visited New York City and were in Saratoga Springs on Saturday evening just hours before the murder happened. Frattolin, who was seen on surveillance video at 5:30 p.m. that evening, had called her mother from Saratoga Springs shortly after that to tell her the trip was going well and they were preparing to return home.

Related video: Watch a recording of the police update charging Frattolin with murder

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Police said several hours later, around 10 p.m., Luciano Frattolin called police to say that he had pulled over near Lake George to urinate and that when he returned to his vehicle, Melina was missing. He also reported a suspicious white van with two men inside leaving the area.

Police said they determined that Luciano fabricated that story. Police would also not specify why they concentrated their search in the Ticonderoga area.

The Warren County Sheriff's Office, said they found the body of Melina Frattolin with assistance from Ticonderoga Police Department, New York State Forest Rangers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Police K9 and Aviation units.

Forest Rangers coordinated the effort, and her body was found during a grid search in the Ticonderoga area. New York State Police have taken jurisdiction over the investigation.

Luciano Frattolin does not have a history of mental disorder or domestic violence, according to police. He also does not have a criminal record.

The Gambella Coffee website lists Frattolin as a founder. However, as of Monday, the website is unavailable to view.

In the About Us section of the site, Frattolin says he spends as much time in Montreal as he can with his "beautiful" daughter Melina who is "the light of his life."

He is currently being held and appeared in court on Monday to answer to the charges.

Melina Frattolin’s cause of death is still listed as pending, with an autopsy scheduled for later this week

Police offered their condolences to Frattolin’s family following the incident.

The Police Benevolent Association of New York State President James McCartney put out a statement Sunday, saying they are saddened to learn of Frattolin's death.

"The PBA of New York State is extremely saddened to learn of the death of Melina Galanis Frattolin, the 9-year-old girl reported missing in Lake George the evening of July 19, 2025.

Our PBA-member New York State Forest Rangers coordinated the search for Melina. During this process, a NYSDEC Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO), also a PBA member, discovered the girl’s body while participating in a grid search in the Ticonderoga area.

The PBA of New York State sends our deepest condolences to the family of Melina Galanis Frattolin. Our thoughts are also with our member Forest Rangers and ECO’s dealing with the grief of this horrific tragedy."

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also reacted to the news on social media on Sunday.

"Heartbreaking news out of Lake George."

"[New York State Police] are working tirelessly to hold those responsible fully accountable."

Anyone with information about Frattolin's disappearance should call the Warren County Sheriff's Office at 518-743-2500 or 911.

A candlelight vigil is scheduled to be held for Frattolin in Ticonderoga on Tuesday night.

Related video: Autopsy reveals cause of death for Melina Frattolin

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These Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winners passed high-tech lab testing

See how Good Housekeeping tests products using high-tech equipment in its Beauty Lab.

These Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winners passed high-tech lab testing

See how Good Housekeeping tests products using high-tech equipment in its Beauty Lab.

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From creams that promise smoother skin to shampoos that claim to keep your hair color vibrant, inside Good Housekeeping's beauty lab, every claim gets put to the test. Here are the samples and like you can see they're like different colors, like wear and tear with red hair fading quickly. Sabina Wiseman is *** scientist. The director of Good Housekeeping's beauty lab, she's showing me how she uses *** device called *** DigiI, essentially *** super high-tech digital camera to track the color of dyed hair after repeated washing and UV exposure. So we will take these tresses and put them in this lighting box that has *** control lighting, and then we close it. And once we close it, we take the images. Wiseman and her team recently evaluated hundreds of products for Good Housekeeping's latest beauty awards. In this particular test, Tresemme's revitalized color shampoo and conditioner was *** top performer. Tresemme tested really well in our study in the. Resistance uh study, but we also tested with consumers. They raved about how shiny their hair was and soft. Hair isn't the only thing getting analyzed here. Wiseman showed me this device called *** corneometer used to measure hydration levels in your skin. We just press into your skin and the signal goes down into your skin and then it reads back how your skin responds. So the higher the signal, the more moisturized your skin is. It's really interesting. So what was the product that performed well with this testing? That was uh Olay Regenerist. It decreased skin moisturization 47% over 6 hours. And then there's this, the Visia Complexion analyzer. It's *** professional facial system that takes images of the face and objectively analyzes skin feature and also can tracks. And concerns wrinkles, spots, pores, UV damage. One product that stood out in testing this Clarins primer, which impressed both lab testers and consumers. It really showed excellent results, but also testers who tried it at home, they thought that it really blurred their lines well. We have *** QR code up on the screen. Scan it to see all of Good Housekeeping's beauty award winners and learn more about how those products are tested. Reporting in New York, I'm Ali Jasinski.

Updated: 1:11 PM EDT May 12, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

These Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winners passed high-tech lab testing

See how Good Housekeeping tests products using high-tech equipment in its Beauty Lab.

Updated: 1:11 PM EDT May 12, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Americans spend billions every year on beauty products promising big results. But with so many options on the market, how do you know what actually works?Good Housekeeping spent months testing hundreds of products for its 2026 Beauty Awards, using scientific tools and consumer testing to separate facts from marketing claims.The National Consumer Unit got a look inside Good Housekeeping’s Beauty Lab to see some of the high-tech devices used during testing and the award-winning products that stood out.Measuring hair color fade To evaluate products designed for color-treated hair, Good Housekeeping uses a VeriVide DigiEye system to measure color changes in dyed hair samples after repeated washing, drying and ultraviolet exposure.One standout performer in the category was TRESemmé’s Revitalized Color Shampoo and Conditioner.“TRESemmé tested really well in our study, but we also tested with consumers,” said Sabina Wizemann, director of Good Housekeeping’s Beauty Lab. “They raved about how shiny their hair was and soft.”Measuring skin hydration The Beauty Lab also uses scientific instruments to evaluate skincare products that claim to improve hydration.One of those devices is a Corneometer, which measures moisture levels in the skin before and after product use.Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream was one of the top performers in hydration testing.“It increased skin moisturization 47% over six hours,” Wizemann said.Measuring complexion changes To analyze wrinkles, pores and skin texture, Good Housekeeping uses the VISIA Complexion Analysis system. “It’s a professional facial system that takes images of the face and objectively analyzes skin features,” Wizemann said.One product that stood out for smoothing wrinkles was Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer.“It really showed excellent results,” Wizemann said. “Testers who tried it at home thought that it really blurred their lines well.”The full list of Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winners — along with more information about the testing process — is available here. Stay connected with the National Consumer UnitGet clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates, myth-busting videos and behind-the-scenes reporting on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.Have a question you’d like us to investigate? Email us at askallie@hearst.com.

Americans spend billions every year on beauty products promising big results. But with so many options on the market, how do you know what actually works?

Good Housekeeping spent months testing hundreds of products for its 2026 Beauty Awards, using scientific tools and consumer testing to separate facts from marketing claims.

The National Consumer Unit got a look inside Good Housekeeping’s Beauty Lab to see some of the high-tech devices used during testing and the award-winning products that stood out.

Measuring hair color fade

To evaluate products designed for color-treated hair, Good Housekeeping uses a VeriVide DigiEye system to measure color changes in dyed hair samples after repeated washing, drying and ultraviolet exposure.

One standout performer in the category was TRESemmé’s Revitalized Color Shampoo and Conditioner.

“TRESemmé tested really well in our study, but we also tested with consumers,” said Sabina Wizemann, director of Good Housekeeping’s Beauty Lab. “They raved about how shiny their hair was and soft.”

Revitalized Color Vibrance & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner

Tresemmé

target.com

$6.39

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Measuring skin hydration

The Beauty Lab also uses scientific instruments to evaluate skincare products that claim to improve hydration.

One of those devices is a Corneometer, which measures moisture levels in the skin before and after product use.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream was one of the top performers in hydration testing.

“It increased skin moisturization 47% over six hours,” Wizemann said.

Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer Cream by Olay Regenerist, Micro-Sculpting & Fragrance-Free 1.7 Ounces (packaging may vary)

Olay

amazon.com

$27.49

$23.94

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Measuring complexion changes

To analyze wrinkles, pores and skin texture, Good Housekeeping uses the VISIA Complexion Analysis system.

“It’s a professional facial system that takes images of the face and objectively analyzes skin features,” Wizemann said.

One product that stood out for smoothing wrinkles was Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer.

“It really showed excellent results,” Wizemann said. “Testers who tried it at home thought that it really blurred their lines well.”

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch | Primer, Face Makeup Pore Minimizer | Blurring Primer Targets Wrinkles and Pores | All Skin Types | 0.5 Ounces

Clarins

nordstrom.com

$42.00

SHOP NOW

The full list of Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winners — along with more information about the testing process — is available here.

Stay connected with the National Consumer Unit

Get clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.

Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates, myth-busting videos and behind-the-scenes reporting on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Have a question you’d like us to investigate? Email us at askallie@hearst.com.

Canadian dad accused of killing 9-year-old girl in New York, falsely reporting her abducted

An amber alert was issued Saturday night for an abduction in Lake George, with police finding the victim deceased in Ticonderoga

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These Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winners passed high-tech lab testing

See how Good Housekeeping tests products using high-tech equipment in its Beauty Lab.

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