A preliminary autopsy revealed that 9-year-old Canadian girl Melina Galanis Frattolin was drowned, and her death has been ruled a homicide, New York State Police said Tuesday.

Dr. Michael Sikirica performed the autopsy at Glens Falls Hospital on July 21. 

While final lab results are pending, the cause of death was listed as asphyxia due to drowning, and the manner of death was determined to be homicide, police said in a release.

Melina’s father, 45-year-old Luciano Frattolin, is facing charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse after allegedly fabricating a kidnapping story. 

Authorities held a press conference on Monday, July 21, in connection with the death of 9-year-old Melina Frattolin. (Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)

Authorities said no evidence supported Frattolin’s claims of an abduction involving a suspicious van. Law enforcement agencies from New York, Canada, and the FBI assisted in the investigation.

New York state police are urging the public to submit tips, video, or dashcam footage showing the 2024 gray Toyota Prius the father and daughter traveled in between July 11 and July 19, particularly along I-87 Northway exits 28 to 20 during the evening of July 19. 

Luciano Frattolin, 45, is seen in a booking photo released by New York State Police. He is charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse in the death of his 9-year-old daughter Melina Frattolin. (New York State Police)