Luciano Frattolin, the head of Canadian coffee company Gambella, is accused of murdering his nine-year-old daughter, Melina, during a family vacation in Ticonderoga, New York, last July. During the ongoing trial, investigators presented evidence found in Frattolin's rental car, including multiple condoms and a document titled 'closure/confession,' according to court testimony. The prosecution alleges that two stained pairs of Melina's underwear showed signs of seminal fluid, as did a shirt and shorts belonging to Frattolin, though his clothing has not undergone further testing. Melina's death was ruled a homicide by asphyxia due to drowning.
Frattolin has pleaded not guilty and initially told police that his daughter had been kidnapped by men in a white van. The court heard testimony that the 'closure/confession' document found in the rental car was a draft press release directed at Canadian media, in which Frattolin referred to his ex-wife, Kali Galanis, as 'the queen of evil.' The note, reportedly written in anticipation of Frattolin gaining custody of Melina, also stated, 'Death is better than living with you' and 'Your Dad is the only one who can control you.' It further characterized Galanis's perceived issues as 'mental illness.' The document appeared to simulate a conversation between Frattolin and Galanis.
Investigators also discovered a 10-year 'father's report' in the glovebox of the rental car, with prosecutors stating it contained notes for 'Plan A' and 'Plan B.' Many of these documents, along with pictures of Melina and Galanis, were found stuffed inside an Ikea grocery bag. User manuals for a Porsche were also among the belongings.
Evidence presented also includes extensive data extracted from Frattolin's phone. A New York State police investigator testified that over 200,000 location data points were collected, describing it as one of the largest sets of data he had encountered in his career. This data indicated Frattolin's phone remained stationary next to a country road for approximately an hour before he reported his daughter missing.
Galanis had previously testified that Frattolin wanted to take Melina to Ethiopia in January 2025, but the child expressed reluctance. Galanis grew concerned due to past cases of estranged spouses taking children abroad. She also mentioned troubling revelations from Melina about her father, which led her to become uncomfortable with the travel plans. Frattolin then suggested the trip to New York in July.
Frattolin faces charges of second-degree murder and concealing a human corpse. The trial is expected to continue into the following week.