The trial of Luciano Frattolin, accused of murdering his 9-year-old daughter Melina, continues in Essex County Court. Tuesday, Melina’s mother, Kali Galanis, shared that her daughter did not want to travel overseas with her father months before her death.
Galanis testified that Frattolin intended to take Melina to Ethiopia for two weeks in January 2025. However, Melina objected, and Galanis expressed increasing concern about the trip. This discomfort led them to cancel the travel plans.
She didn’t want to go,Galanis said, noting her unease.
The court heard about past disagreements regarding Melina’s travel and Galanis’s reluctance to permit international travel with Frattolin following their 2019 separation. Galanis even received legal advice cautioning against such travel due to potential custody issues.
When Frattolin suggested a trip through the northeastern U.S. instead, Galanis reluctantly agreed. During this vacation, Melina was supposed to return home to Quebec but never did.
Prosecutors allege Frattolin falsely reported Melina’s kidnapping which initiated an Amber Alert. Authorities later found no evidence of abduction. Sadly, Melina’s body was discovered submerged near Eagle Lake in Ticonderoga.
Frattolin denies the charges, pleading not guilty to second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. During the trial, New York State Police investigator Daniel Mauro revealed Frattolin mentioned it would have been ‘easier’ to commit the alleged crime overseas.
Frattolin’s trial is ongoing as detailed testimonies are presented in court.