A Montreal man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, for the murder of his 9-year-old daughter Melina in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. Essex County Judge Tatiana Coffinger imposed the sentence on Luciano Frattolin, an Essex County jury having convicted him in August of killing the girl and hiding her body under a rock in a pond near Ticonderoga.
TL;DR: Luciano Frattolin received 25 years to life for the murder of his 9-year-old daughter Melina, whose body was found hidden under a rock in a pond near Ticonderoga last summer. He was also sentenced to a consecutive 1 to 3 years for concealment of a human body. Frattolin, who has maintained his innocence, is appealing the conviction. Judge Coffinger also imposed a 25-year order of protection for Melina’s mother.
The Sentencing
Judge Coffinger sentenced Frattolin on Wednesday morning in Essex County Court, WAMC reported. Addressing the defendant directly, the judge said he had never taken responsibility for his actions and told him that his daughter’s memory would define him.
Frattolin was remanded to the custody of the Essex County sheriff pending transfer to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. He will be eligible for parole in 25 years.
An Additional Sentence for Concealment
On top of the murder sentence, Judge Coffinger imposed a consecutive term of 1 to 3 years for concealment of a human body, reflecting prosecutors’ evidence that Frattolin hid his daughter’s body under a rock in a pond near Ticonderoga after killing her.
The Prosecution’s Theory
During the proceedings, defense attorneys noted that Frattolin has maintained his innocence. Essex County District Attorney Michael P. Langey told the court the jury had seen through Frattolin’s lies. He said the prosecution’s theory was that Frattolin no longer wanted to be a father and hoped to move on with his life, and that he killed his daughter in part to punish her mother.
The Family’s Letter
Family members declined to speak during the sentencing, but outside the courthouse, District Attorney Langey read a letter the family asked him to share. In it, they wrote that they continue to suffer deeply since the day Melina was murdered, that nothing can bring her back, and that they are relieved this chapter is over and grateful to everyone who worked on the case. They asked the public to respect their privacy as they grieve the loss of their beloved daughter.
Protection for the Mother
Judge Coffinger also imposed an order of protection for Melina’s mother that will last 25 years, and told Frattolin not to reach out to family members. Frattolin’s legal team is appealing the conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Luciano Frattolin?
Luciano Frattolin is a Montreal man who was convicted by an Essex County, New York, jury in August 2026 of murdering his 9-year-old daughter, Melina. He was sentenced on October 14, 2026, to 25 years to life in prison.
How old was the victim?
Melina Frattolin was 9 years old. The Essex County jury convicted her father of killing her last summer in the Adirondacks, near Ticonderoga, New York.
What sentence did Frattolin receive?
Essex County Judge Tatiana Coffinger sentenced him to 25 years to life for murder, plus a consecutive 1 to 3 years for concealment of a human body. He is eligible for parole in 25 years.
Where was the body found?
Melina’s body was found hidden under a rock in a pond near Ticonderoga, in New York’s Adirondack region, according to the prosecution’s case.
Did Frattolin admit to the killing?
No. His defense attorneys noted at sentencing that Frattolin has maintained his innocence. Judge Coffinger said he had never taken responsibility for his actions. His legal team is appealing the conviction.
What did the judge say at sentencing?
Judge Coffinger told Frattolin that he lives in a world of self-made delusion about wealth and image, and that while the greatest accomplishment of his life could have been being a great father, that is not what he will be remembered for. She said she hopes he someday realizes what he did to his family and how he let down his daughter.
What was the prosecution’s theory of the motive?
Essex County District Attorney Michael P. Langey said the prosecution’s theory was that Frattolin did not want to be a father anymore, that he killed his daughter and hoped to move on and start a new life, and that he acted in part to punish the child’s mother.
What protection was granted to the victim’s mother?
The judge imposed a 25-year order of protection for Melina’s mother and told Frattolin not to reach out to family members.
Where is Frattolin now?
He was remanded to the custody of the Essex County sheriff pending transfer to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to serve his sentence.
