In a somber courtroom in New York, a 46-year-old man, Luciano Frattolin, was declared guilty of second-degree murder and concealing the body of his nine-year-old daughter, Melina, from Montreal.
As the verdict was read, the air grew heavy with emotion as some family members couldn’t contain their sobs, clinging to each other for support. Frattolin, flanked by his attorneys, maintained a stoic demeanor, only shaking his head slightly before being led away in handcuffs.
The trial, which spanned three weeks, concluded with the jury deliberating for an hour before delivering the verdict. Eric Weyand, one of Frattolin’s legal representatives, described it as a challenging case as he addressed the media outside the courtroom.
Frattolin is set to receive his sentencing on October 14 and will remain in custody. Melina’s body was discovered the previous year in a remote New York marsh, hidden beneath a fallen tree with a heavy rock resting on her chest.
The tragic events unfolded during a father-daughter trip in the United States, culminating in Frattolin reporting Melina missing on July 19, 2025, as they were nearing the end of their journey. Her remains were located the following day near Ticonderoga, N.Y., approximately 400 kilometers north of New York City, contradicting Frattolin’s initial claim of abduction by unknown assailants.
