Montreal father sentenced to life in prison for murder of daughter Melina
Luciano Frattolin received a life sentence Wednesday for the second-degree murder of his nine-year-old daughter Melina, whose body was found in a New York marsh.
Montreal man jailed for life after killing daughter Melina, found in New York marsh
Google News CA — Crime (EN) reports that Luciano Frattolin showed no visible emotion Wednesday as Judge Tatiana Coffinger of Essex County Court sentenced him to life in prison for the second-degree murder of his nine-year-old daughter, Melina Frattolin.
Wearing a rumpled black suit and large black glasses, Frattolin shook his head slightly as Coffinger described the second charge against him — concealing the child's body in a rural New York marsh.
"I hope, at some point in your life, you realize what you have done, what you have done to a family, and moreover, how you let down your daughter," Coffinger said moments before Frattolin was led from the courtroom in chains and handcuffs. "Nothing brings her back, and we will all live with this."
Melina's mother, grandparents, and other relatives watched from the back of the courtroom. Several wiped their eyes as the judge announced her ruling.
Family statement: 'We are relieved this chapter is over'
Outside the courthouse, District Attorney Michael Langey read a statement on behalf of the family.
"We continue to suffer deeply since the day Melina was brutally murdered," the statement said. "Nothing can bring Melina back, but we are relieved that this chapter is over. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who worked on the case. Your dedication and persistence helped bring a measure of justice for our family."
Sentence delivered two months after guilty verdict
The sentence came two months after a jury convicted Frattolin on charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. Coffinger rejected a defence motion to set aside the guilty verdict before delivering the sentence. Frattolin will not be eligible for parole for at least 25 years and is expected to serve his time in New York. He was also sentenced to one to three years on the concealment charge and fined $5,000.
Coffinger acknowledged gaps in the record. "We will never know exactly what happened on the evening of July 19, 2025," she said. "We do know that at a moment Melina needed her father the most, he was not her protector."
Car data and cellphone records placed Frattolin at the scene
Prosecutors called police officers and forensic experts throughout the three-week trial, using car location data, cellphone records, and surveillance footage to reconstruct Frattolin's movements on the day Melina died.
The data showed Frattolin's vehicle and phone were stationary for close to an hour in the area where Melina's body was later discovered. Investigators also found a bag of muddy clothing he had been wearing, discarded on the side of the road.
Frattolin had been driving Melina back to Montreal, where she lived with her mother, on the night in question. He called 911 claiming she had been kidnapped after he stopped his car along the roadside. Coffinger dismissed that account during sentencing, comparing it to "a Hollywood script" and accusing Frattolin of having lied in statements to police.
"Mr. Frattolin, you live in a world of self-made delusion of wealth and image," the judge said. "When the greatest accomplishment of your life would have been to be a great father, that is not what you are going to be remembered for."
The jury deliberated for one hour on August 10 before returning a guilty verdict.
Defence announces appeal; protective order issued for Melina's mother
Before sentencing, defence lawyer Brian Pilatzke told the court his client maintained his innocence. The defence subsequently filed a notice of appeal.
Coffinger also granted a protective order in favour of Melina's mother, Kali Galanis. Under the order, Frattolin is forbidden from contacting her in any way.
Langey said outside court he was satisfied with the outcome. "Hopefully the parole board doesn't parole him, and he does serve most of his life in prison," he added.
Asked about a possible motive, Langey said he believed Frattolin had harboured an obsession with wealth and status. "He had an obsession and hatred of Melina's mom, Kali, and he wanted a different life," Langey said.
This report is based on coverage first published by The Canadian Press on October 14, 2026.
Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)