It was late on a Saturday night when the phones across New York State started screaming. That sharp, jarring Amber Alert tone. If you were anywhere near the Adirondacks on July 19, 2025, you remember it. The notification was terrifyingly specific: a 9-year-old girl named Melina Frattolin was gone. Last seen near Exit 22 of I-87 in Lake George. Rumors of a suspicious white van. Imminent danger.
For a few frantic hours, a whole region held its breath. People were looking out their windows and checking parking lots. Then the news broke on Sunday, and it was worse than anyone expected.
The Lake George Amber Alert Update and the Shift in the Investigation
The search didn't last long, but the ending was devastating. Authorities found Melina’s body in Ticonderoga, about 45 minutes north of where she was supposedly taken. She was found in a shallow pond near State Route 74.
State Police quickly realized the story wasn't adding up. Luciano Frattolin, Melina’s father, had told them she vanished while he was using the restroom in a parking lot. He claimed he saw two men force her into a white van heading south.
But investigators are trained to spot holes. They found "inconsistencies" almost immediately. The timeline was messy. The van didn't exist. By Monday, the narrative of a random abduction had completely collapsed.
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Charges and the Heartbreaking Reality
Luciano Frattolin wasn't a victim; he was the suspect. The 45-year-old Montreal businessman was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse.
According to the felony complaint, police believe the crime happened hours before the 911 call was even made. Surveillance footage from Saratoga Springs showed Melina alive at 5:30 p.m. She even talked to her mother on the phone around 6:30 p.m.
She seemed fine then. Happy, even.
Police allege that sometime between that phone call and the 10:00 p.m. 911 report, Luciano murdered his daughter and hid her body under a log in the water.
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Why the "White Van" Story Failed
The "suspicious white van" is a common trope in child abduction reports, and in this case, it was a total fabrication. New York State Police Captain Robert McConnell was blunt during the press conferences. He noted that every lead regarding the vehicle was "thoroughly investigated and disproven."
It's a chilling detail. While the community was looking for a ghost van, the real threat was already in custody.
Key Details of the Case
- Victim: Melina Galanis Frattolin, 9 years old.
- Suspect: Luciano Frattolin, her father.
- Location: Abduction reported in Lake George; body found in Ticonderoga.
- Status: Luciano Frattolin pleaded not guilty and is being held in Essex County Jail.
Community Impact and Safety Realities
Lake George is a vacation town. It's supposed to be safe. Seeing the heavy police presence near Eagle Lake and Paradox changed the mood of the entire summer season.
Honestly, the most tragic part is that there was no history of domestic violence or a criminal record for Luciano. They were just on vacation. They had traveled through New York City and Connecticut before heading north.
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The case is currently moving through the court system in Ticonderoga. As of early 2026, legal proceedings are ongoing. People are still asking "why," but the motive remains a central part of the investigation that hasn't been fully publicized.
What to Do if You Hear an Amber Alert
Even though this specific Lake George Amber Alert update ended in a way that had nothing to do with a stranger abduction, the system still works. Most kids are recovered because people pay attention.
If you get an alert:
- Don't ignore the noise. Check the description of the vehicle and the child immediately.
- Look for details, not just "a car." Note license plates or unique stickers if you see something suspicious.
- Call 911 immediately. Do not try to intervene yourself unless it's a life-or-death moment happening right in front of you.
The Melina Frattolin case is a reminder that the most dangerous situations aren't always what they seem at first glance. It's a heavy story for a town built on summer memories, but it's one that the North Country won't forget anytime soon.
If you have any information that could assist the ongoing investigation, New York State Police are still accepting tips at 518-783-3211.
Stay vigilant, keep your family close, and always report suspicious activity to local authorities immediately.