World · North America · 1 hr ago
Montreal father sentenced to life for killing his nine-year-old daughter
Luciano Frattolin was sentenced to life in prison for killing his nine-year-old daughter, Melina.
The case was heard in Essex County, in upstate New York, where a jury convicted him of second-degree murder and concealing a human corpse.
Melina had been living in Montreal with her mother and went on a road trip to the United States with her father in July 2025.
On the night they were due home, Frattolin told police she had been kidnapped after he stopped his car.
Prosecutors used location, phone and camera data to reconstruct his movements and show that his account was false.
The judge rejected a request to overturn the verdict, and Frattolin cannot seek parole for 25 years.
His defence has filed an appeal.
Luciano Frattolin was sentenced to life in prison for killing his nine-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin.
A jury in Essex County, New York, convicted him of second-degree murder and concealing a human corpse.
He will not be eligible for parole for at least 25 years.
The judge rejected a motion to set aside the guilty verdict, and the defence issued a notice of appeal.
The prosecution used vehicle-location data, cellphone data and surveillance footage to challenge Frattolin’s account that his daughter had been kidnapped.
- Who
- Luciano Frattolin, a Montreal man, was sentenced for killing his daughter, Melina Frattolin.
- What
- He was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder and concealing a human corpse.
- When
- The sentence was reported on October 14, 2026. The killing took place in July 2025.
- Where
- Essex County, New York. Melina was left in a marsh in rural New York.
- Why
- The jury found Frattolin guilty of killing his daughter. The sources do not state a motive.
The prosecution
The defence
Frattolin’s account
The prosecution
The prosecution used vehicle-location data, cellphone data and surveillance footage to show that his account was false.
The defence
The defence argued that local police had not adequately investigated his claim that his daughter was kidnapped.
Verdict
The prosecution
The jury found Frattolin guilty of second-degree murder and concealing a human corpse.
The defence
The defence sought to have the guilty verdict set aside and issued a notice of appeal after sentencing.
Melina went on a road trip to the United States with her father.
Frattolin called police and reported that his daughter had been kidnapped after he stopped his car.
After an hour of deliberations, the jury found Frattolin guilty.
Frattolin was reported to have been sentenced to life in prison, with no parole eligibility for at least 25 years.
- Sentence
- Life in prison
- Parole eligibility
- At least 25 years
- Victim
- Melina Frattolin, age nine
- Convictions
- Second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse
- Court
- Essex County Court, New York