Luciano Frattolin is a Canadian entrepreneur of Ethiopian-Italian descent, best known as the founder of Gambella Coffee in Montreal. Born around 1980, he is currently 45 years old. In July 2025, he became a central figure in a tragic and high-profile case involving the disappearance and death of his 9-year-old daughter, Melina Galanis Frattolin, in Lake George, New York.
While Frattolin was initially the one to report her missing, police later questioned the accuracy of his statements, leading to public suspicion. Despite widespread speculation, no official charges have been filed as of July 21, 2025.
Luciano Frattolin Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Luciano Frattolin |
| Date of Birth | Circa 1980 |
| Age | 45 (as of 2025) |
| Profession | Entrepreneur |
| Known For | Founder of Gambella Coffee; father in Melina case |
| Hometown | Gambella, Ethiopia; raised in Milan, Italy |
| Current Residence | Montreal, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Education | Humanities and social sciences (U.S. & London) |
Early Life and Background
Luciano was born in Gambella, Ethiopia, to an Ethiopian mother and Italian father. He spent his early years between Ethiopian coffee plantations and the city of Milan. Facing racial discrimination during childhood, he developed a strong cross-cultural outlook. After his father’s death at age 17, he moved abroad for studies, eventually settling in Canada.
In 2019, he experienced a serious health event, which reportedly changed his perspective on life and business, motivating him to focus more on community-driven and purpose-led ventures.
Luciano Frattolin Education
Frattolin studied humanities and social sciences in the United States and London, although the names of his institutions remain undisclosed.
Luciano Frattolin Family
| Father | Italian, deceased when Luciano was 17 |
| Mother | Ethiopian |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Spouse | Lavonda S. Stafford (m. 2000, div. 2006) |
| Children | Melina Galanis Frattolin (2016–2025) |
He married Lavonda S. Stafford in 2000 in Texas and divorced in 2006. His daughter Melina, born in 2016, was described on Gambella Coffee’s website as his guiding light and source of inspiration.
Career Highlights
Frattolin is known for a diverse career across several industries including architecture, construction, real estate, mining, and coffee. His signature venture is Gambella Coffee, co-founded with Eva Melstrom, which promotes organic coffee sourced ethically from Africa.
| Milestone | Details |
| Breakthrough | Founded Gambella Coffee |
| Other Ventures | Architecture, real estate, mining, construction |
| Shift in Focus | Post-2019: More social and community-driven |
Controversies
Melina Frattolin Case (2025)
On July 19, 2025, Luciano reported his daughter Melina missing from Lake George, New York, saying she was possibly abducted. An Amber Alert was issued, but her body was discovered the next day in Ticonderoga, about 30 miles away. Police found inconsistencies in his version of events, dismissing the idea of a kidnapping.
As of July 21, 2025, no charges have been filed, but Frattolin remains under scrutiny. Social media users and some news outlets have labeled him a suspect, though authorities haven’t confirmed this publicly.
2019 Health Incident
A health event in February 2019 was briefly mentioned on Gambella Coffee’s site as life-changing, but no details have been disclosed.
Recent Timeline and Updates
2023–2024
- Continued running Gambella Coffee with a focus on organic and ethical sourcing.
- Publicly highlighted Melina as the company’s inspiration and moral compass.
2025
- July 19: Reported Melina missing near Lake George.
- July 20: Her body was found in Ticonderoga. Amber Alert canceled.
- July 21: Police investigating inconsistencies. Press conference expected.
