Heartbreaking End to Amber Alert: 9-Year-Old Melina Galanis Frattolin Found Dead Near Ticonderoga, NY
TICONDEROGA, NY — A devastating wave of grief has swept through both the United States and Canada following the heartbreaking discovery of 9-year-old Melina Galanis Frattolin, a Canadian child who had been reported missing while visiting upstate New York. What began as an urgent Amber Alert filled with hopes for a safe recovery ended in tragedy on Sunday when Melina’s body was found near Ticonderoga, close to the New York-Vermont border.
The young girl, who was visiting from Quebec with her family, disappeared under suspicious circumstances, prompting law enforcement to issue an Amber Alert that quickly drew national attention. Local authorities, in coordination with the New York State Police, Canadian officials, and federal investigators, mobilized massive resources to locate Melina, fearing she may have been abducted.
Search teams scoured wooded areas, waterways, and remote trails, while volunteers distributed flyers and media outlets broadcasted her image across both countries. Every moment was critical, and every lead was pursued with urgency and hope. For days, her family clung to the possibility of a reunion — praying that Melina would be found alive and unharmed.
But on Sunday, those hopes were shattered.
Melina’s body was discovered in a secluded area just outside of Ticonderoga, a small town nestled in the Adirondack Mountains near Lake Champlain. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the cause of death but have confirmed that the circumstances are being treated as suspicious. An autopsy is pending, and investigators are exploring all avenues, including potential foul play.
“This is a profoundly heartbreaking outcome,” said a spokesperson for the New York State Police. “Our hearts are with Melina’s family and loved ones as they face an unimaginable loss. We are doing everything we can to ensure justice is served.”
The news has left two nations in mourning — from Melina’s hometown in Quebec, where friends and teachers remember her as a bright, joyful child full of curiosity and kindness, to the quiet streets of Ticonderoga, now haunted by the shadow of a tragedy no community ever wants to face.
“She was just the sweetest little girl,” said a family friend. “She loved to dance, to draw, and to make people laugh. She had a sparkle in her eyes that you couldn’t ignore. It’s just unthinkable that she’s gone.”
Grief counselors have been made available at Melina’s school in Quebec, and a growing memorial outside the family’s home is filled with flowers, drawings, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes from classmates and neighbors. Meanwhile, residents in Ticonderoga are organizing a candlelight vigil to honor Melina’s memory and to show solidarity with her grieving family.
Officials in both the U.S. and Canada have pledged full cooperation as the investigation continues. Authorities are urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward. Surveillance footage, eyewitness tips, and forensic evidence are all being reviewed as part of the ongoing effort to uncover what happened to Melina and to hold anyone responsible accountable for this unfathomable act.
For now, Melina’s loved ones are left with memories — of her laughter, her dreams, her radiant smile — and with a sorrow so deep it defies understanding. A family vacation that was meant to create joyful memories has instead ended in a nightmare no parent should ever endure.
As the community lights candles and prays for peace, one truth remains: Melina Galanis Frattolin mattered. She was deeply loved, and she will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, sweet Melina. May your light shine on, even in the darkest of nights.