Authorities explain the circumstances surrounding the death of a young Canadian girl following her father’s murder charges.

Investigation into the Death of 9-Year-Old Melina Fratlin

New York State Police announced on Tuesday that the preliminary autopsy results for 9-year-old Melina Galanis Fratlin have confirmed her death as a homicide, determined to be caused by drowning. Dr. Michael Sikirika performed the autopsy at Glens Falls Hospital on July 21.

While final lab results are still pending, investigators noted that the cause of death was suffocation due to drowning, categorizing it as murder. Melina’s father, 45-year-old Luciano Fratlin, is now facing charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse after allegedly misleading authorities.

Melina was discovered unresponsive in a shallow pond in Ticonderoga, approximately 30 miles from where her father had made a 911 call at Lake George. He had claimed that she was missing. The timeline shows the father and daughter had moved from Canada to the U.S. on July 11, presumably for a vacation. Surveillance footage also captured them in Saratoga Springs at about 5:30 p.m. on July 19, and Melina was heard speaking to her mother an hour later.

Less than 16 hours after the distress call, her body was found, which has understandably shocked the local community, a typically quiet summer retreat.

Authorities noted a lack of evidence supporting Luciano Fratlin’s initial statements regarding Melina’s condition and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. The case involves several law enforcement agencies and the FBI, which have assisted in the investigation.

The New York State Police are encouraging anyone with information, particularly footage from dashcams showing the 2024 Great Toyota Prius used by the father and daughter between July 11 and July 19—especially around the I-87 Northway on July 19—to come forward.