A man from Montreal has received a life sentence for the murder of his nine-year-old daughter, whose body was found in a rural New York marsh. The sentencing follows his conviction by an Essex County Court jury for second-degree murder and concealing a human corpse in the case of Melina Frattolin. Judge Tatiana Coffinger handed down the sentence after dismissing a request to overturn the guilty verdict.
Frattolin, who will not be eligible for parole for at least 25 years, will serve his sentence in New York. Additionally, he was given a one to three-year sentence for concealing the corpse, which will be served consecutively. His defense has filed an appeal in response to the sentence.
Melina had been residing with her mother in Montreal before embarking on a road trip to the U.S. with her father in July 2025. On the night they were supposed to return home, Frattolin contacted the police, claiming his daughter had been abducted after he stopped the car on the roadside.
Judge Coffinger criticized Frattolin for his misguided focus on wealth and image instead of being a good father. The courtroom was filled with the victim’s family and supporters, who expressed deep grief over the loss. The family, represented by Essex County District Attorney Michael Langey, expressed relief that the legal process had concluded, acknowledging the efforts of all involved in seeking justice.
Throughout the trial, the defense contended that local law enforcement had not thoroughly investigated Frattolin’s abduction claim. However, prosecution evidence, including car GPS data, cellphone records, and surveillance footage, refuted his story, leading the jury to conclude that Frattolin had drowned his daughter in a rural New York marsh.
Langey highlighted the significant impact of the tragedy on the Montreal community, emphasizing the loss felt by the school, teachers, and residents due to the defendant’s actions. The jury’s swift deliberation on the case culminated in the damning verdict against Frattolin.
