A Canadian man accused of murdering his nine-year-old daughter while vacationing in upstate New York had publicly described her as the “light of his life” on his coffee company’s website, according to CNN.
Luciano Frattolin, 45, from Montreal, has been charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse after authorities say he killed his daughter, Melina, and left her body in a remote area near Lake George, New York.
According to New York State Police, Frattolin had legally entered the United States with Melina for a vacation and was due to return to Canada on July 20. On July 19, he contacted police to report his daughter missing. He allegedly told officers that Melina had been abducted, prompting an Amber Alert the following day, per PEOPLE.
However, investigators soon found “inconsistencies” in Frattolin’s account. On July 20, Melina’s body was discovered in a secluded location, though officials have not disclosed the exact circumstances of how she died or where her remains were found. Frattolin was arrested shortly afterward.
Frattolin appeared in court on Monday, July 21, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently being held in custody while the investigation continues.
Prior to the incident, Frattolin was listed as the founder of Gambella Coffee, a Montreal-based company. Though the company’s website has since been taken offline, archived versions and media reports reveal that he frequently referenced his daughter on the site.
According to Associated Press, WRGB, and The Montreal Gazette, Frattolin’s biography on the company’s website stated that he “spends as much time as he can in Montreal, Canada, with his beautiful daughter Melina.”
It went on to describe her as the inspiration for his work, saying: “As the light of his life, she is the inspiration for, well, everything.”
The page also reportedly included reflections on parenting, with Frattolin writing that Melina had helped him “let go of his rigid tendencies” and that his drive to create a more equitable world stemmed from a desire to shield her from the injustices he had experienced growing up.
Authorities said that Frattolin and Melina’s mother, who have been separated for several years, shared custody, though the girl primarily lived with her mother in Canada. State police confirmed that the mother has been notified and is cooperating with investigators.
Officials have not released further details about the investigation or a possible motive. The case remains under active review, and Frattolin is expected to return to court in the coming weeks.