Who is Melina Frattolin’s father? All about the grieving dad Luciano Frattolin who placed desperate 911 call

On Sunday, July 20, 2025, a tragic incident shook Upstate New York when nine-year-old Melina Frattolin was found dead, a day after her father reported her missing. The case drew widespread attention after an Amber Alert was issued and later canceled due to inconsistencies in the father’s story.

Who Is Luciano Frattolin?

Luciano Frattolin is a 45-year-old Canadian businessman. He is best known as the founder of Gambella Coffee, a brand based in Ethiopia. According to his company bio, Frattolin was born in Gambella, Ethiopia, to an Ethiopian mother and an Italian father. He holds dual heritage and spent much of his life between Montreal, Canada, and parts of the US and UK.

Luciano built his career in various industries, including real estate, construction, mining, and coffee exports. On his business profile, he referred to his daughter Melina as the “light of his life” and his “greatest inspiration.”

Timeline of the Tragedy

Frattolin called 911 around 9:58 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, claiming that Melina had vanished near Exit 22 of I-87 in Lake George, New York. He suspected an abduction, prompting an Amber Alert to be issued early the next morning.

However, as police dug deeper, they found several inconsistencies in Frattolin’s statements. The Amber Alert was canceled by 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, after investigators determined there was “no sign of abduction.”

By that evening, Melina’s body was discovered in Ticonderoga, about 30 miles from the area where she was initially reported missing. The New York State Police confirmed her death and took over the investigation from Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

Arrest and Ongoing Investigation

Luciano Frattolin was arrested and is currently being held at the Essex County Jail. He was booked around 2:04 a.m. on Sunday, but charges have not yet been made public. Police are expected to release more information during a press briefing on Monday, July 21, 2025.

Authorities have also not revealed how Melina died or exactly where her body was found. The case is being investigated with the help of multiple law enforcement agencies, including:

• Essex County Sheriff’s Office

• Ticonderoga Police Department

• New York State DEC Police and Forest Rangers

• State Police K9 and Aviation units

Public Reaction and Grief

The news of Melina’s death has left many heartbroken. People who followed the Amber Alert were hoping for her safe return. The story has drawn attention across Canada and the United States, especially due to the confusion around her disappearance and the heartbreaking outcome.