Police search for surveillance to aid in girl's murder investigation

TICONDEROGA | As candlelight vigils are set to honor Melina Frattolin later today, police are now asking area residents for any surveillance images that may assist the ongoing investigation into the 9-year-old's murder. As the communities near and far continue to mourn the young Canadian girl's death, New York State Police released new details in the case that captured international attention Tuesday. Autopsy results disclosed Tuesday revealed Melina died by drowning. Her death has officially been ruled a homicide. She was found following a multi-agency grid search Sunday, partially submerged under a log in shallow pond waters in the Eagle Lake area of Ticonderoga. Her father, Luciano Frattolin, is now facing charges of second-degree murder and concealing a human corpse in connection with her death Saturday night as the pair returned north from a week-long vacation in New York. The 45-year-old businessman from Montreal is accused of falsely claiming the young girl was kidnapped from a rest area near Exit 22 in Lake George around 10 p.m. He initially gave police conflicting accounts of the supposed abduction, saying two men had forced her into a van, while he stepped away from the vehicle, sparking an Amber Alert that quickly went nationwide. But New York State Police, with the help of local, county, state and federal law enforcement partners, quickly unraveled his account and, within roughly 13 hours, somberly discovered Melina's body deceased Sunday. State Police are now asking anyone with surveillance images and videos of the silver Toyota Prius that Luciano and Melina had been driving during their vacation to reach out to them. Police said they are looking for video evidence of the vehicle from July 11 through July 19, specifically the area of the I-87 Northway between Exits 28 (North Schroon Lake: US 9, NY 74 to Ticonderoga) through Exit 20 (Fort Ann, Queensbury, Lake George, NY 149 and US 9) during the evening hours of July 19. Melina was last seen in surveillance in Saratoga at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday. She spoke with her mother about an hour later to say they were heading home and by all accounts, all sounded well. She was reported missing just before 10 p.m. Melina lived with her mother but reportedly visited with her father during his time in Montreal and was on a planned vacation when the unthinkable happened. Luciano Frattolin has pleaded not guilty and is due back in court in Essex County later this week. He did not speak with reporters following his initial court appearance in Ticonderoga Town Court Monday and remains in custody at Essex County Jail. Anyone with information that could help police is asked to call 518-873-2750 or email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov with any updates. As the community mourns the tragic loss, two candlelight vigils have been planned in her honor and memory Tuesday night. Ticonderoga residents are planning a vigil at 8 p.m. at Bicentennial Park, while Schroon Lake area residents will gather at the same time at the fountain across from Stewart's in Schroon Lake.

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Police search for surveillance to aid in girl's murder investigation

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