A trial revealed that Luciano Frattolin, a 45-year-old coffee CEO, was found with condoms and disturbing notes, including a “confession” title, in his car. Frattolin claimed his daughter, Melina Frattolin, was abducted by men in a white van before being discovered dead in a pond in Ticonderoga, New York.
Prosecutors alleged that Frattolin, the head of Canadian coffee company Gambella, disposed of Melina’s body in a swamp in the Adirondacks after inconsistencies arose in his story. It was reported that both Frattolin and his daughter traveled through Connecticut and New York before Melina was to return to her mother in Quebec.
During the trial, it was disclosed that Frattolin had multiple condoms in bags in the rental car he used for the trip. State police investigators testified that stained underpants of Melina showed signs of “seminal fluid,” as did a shirt and shorts belonging to Frattolin.
Frattolin faced charges of second-degree murder and concealing a human corpse related to Melina’s death. A document labeled “closure/confession” was found in the rented Toyota Prius, detailing Frattolin’s grievances towards his ex-wife and plans involving his daughter.
Allegedly, Frattolin wrote a letter in which he criticized his ex-wife and expressed disturbing thoughts about their relationship. The prosecution presented evidence of a “father’s report” found in the vehicle, containing plans and photos of his ex-wife and daughter.
Authorities mentioned that Frattolin’s smartphone data indicated significant location tracking related to the investigation. Testimonies indicated that Frattolin had plans to take Melina to Ethiopia, which raised concerns for her mother regarding potential international travel risks.
The trial is ongoing as more details emerge about the case.