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5 clusters · 30 sources · 19 days · First seen · Last updated

Luciano Frattolin convicted of daughter's murder

Overview

The criminal case against Luciano Frattolin, charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a corpse for the death of his nine-year-old daughter Melina, began in July 2026 in New York. Prosecutors have relied on phone-location data that placed Frattolin’s device near the marsh where Melina’s body was found for more than 50 minutes, and on inconsistencies in his 911 report claiming a white-van kidnapping.

During the trial, the defense highlighted Frattolin’s prior brain injury and a delayed Amber Alert. On July 30, Frattolin appeared expressionless in court while video evidence of his kidnapping claims was shown. Forensic scientist Kimberly Stoddard testified on August 4 regarding blood stains found on Melina’s jacket and a “Closure/Confession” document recovered from Frattolin’s car.

On August 6, prosecutors presented a digital timeline using phone records and GPS data to trace the movements of a rental car and a mobile device to the marsh in Ticonderoga where the body was discovered. Despite defense challenges regarding gaps in the location data, the judge allowed jurors to view the digital animation.

On August 10, a New York jury convicted Frattolin of second-degree murder and concealing a human corpse. The verdict followed approximately three weeks of testimony. Prosecutors argued that Frattolin killed his daughter as an act of revenge against his ex-wife, Kali Galanis, and to avoid child support payments. During closing arguments, Essex County District Attorney Michael Langey stated, “Melina’s short life came to a violent end.” The 46-year-old Montreal businessman and founder of the organic coffee brand Gambella did not testify in his own defense. The jury deliberated for approximately one hour before reaching the verdict. Frattolin remains in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 14, facing the possibility of life in prison.

Entities

Luciano Frattolin · Melina Frattolin · Essex County Court · Kali Galanis · Ticonderoga

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

  • "A New York jury found Luciano Frattolin guilty of second-degree murder." edmonton.citynews.ca · www.castanet.net

    vs

    "Luciano Frattolin has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail since his arrest in July 2025." chatnewstoday.ca · ca.news.yahoo.com · panow.com

    One claim states Frattolin has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail, while the other states he has already been found guilty by a jury.

Timeline

  1. 1 day ago

    [CRIME] 18 sources
    Luciano Frattolin convicted of murdering 9-year-old daughter in New York

    A New York jury convicted Montreal businessman Luciano Frattolin of second-degree murder and concealing the body of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina, after he fabricated a kidnapping to cover the crime.

  2. 5 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Luciano Frattolin murder trial hinges on phone and GPS data

    Luciano Frattolin's murder trial in New York relies on phone and GPS data that show his daughter Melina's device went silent before he reported her missing; the defense disputes the digital timeline as the case

  3. 7 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Luciano Frattolin trial reveals blood on Montreal girl's jacket

    Forensic tests found blood on the jacket of Montreal girl Melina Frattolin, whose father Luciano Frattolin faces second‑degree murder charges in New York; he denies involvement and claims a kidnapping.

  4. 13 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Luciano Frattolin shows no emotion in court during murder trial of daughter

    Luciano Frattolin appeared emotionless in an Essex County court as video and forensic evidence contradicted his kidnapping story about his daughter Melina's murder.

  5. 19 days ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources
    Luciano Frattolin on trial in New York for daughter’s murder

    Luciano Frattolin, a Montreal father, faces a New York murder trial after his 9‑year‑old daughter’s body was located via his phone data; he has pleaded not guilty.

Sources

alfavita.gr · athensmagazine.gr · battlefordsnow.com · brandonsun.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · castanetkamloops.net · chatnewstoday.ca · dailymail.co.uk · dnyuz.com · edmonton.citynews.ca · eleftherostypos.gr · flash.gr · kitchener.citynews.ca · lykavitos.gr · mirror.co.uk · newsbomb.gr · newsit.gr · nypost.com · omegalive.com.cy · panow.com · peachlandview.com · protothema.gr · pulptastic.com · restonnow.com · seleo.gr · thetoc.gr · winnipegfreepress.com · wnyt.com · wpdh.com · youweekly.gr

This summary has been updated 5 times: see revision history