Police say a nine-year-old girl whose body was found in New York state over the weekend died of asphyxia due to drowning.

On Tuesday, New York state police released the preliminary findings of an autopsy done on Melina Frattolin, ruling her death a homicide. The coroner’s final report into her death is pending further laboratory testing.

Her father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, was charged a day earlier with second-degree murder and the concealment of a human corpse.

The Associated Press reported that a plea of not guilty was entered on Frattolin’s behalf Monday morning.

His daughter’s body was found Sunday in Ticonderoga, N.Y., about 50 kilometres northeast of Lake George near the New York-Vermont boundary. Police have not yet released a motive for the girl’s killing.

Frattolin has no criminal or domestic violence history, according to police.

‘We are crushed in spirit’: Vigil held for young girl

New York state police are asking the public for help in gathering more video evidence and eyewitness accounts of the vehicle the two were travelling in between July 11 to July 19, with a focus on the area near I-87 North between exits 28 (North Schroon Lake: US 9, NY 74 to Ticonderoga) through exit 20 (Fort Ann, Queensbury, Lake George, NY 149 & US 9) during the evening hours of July 19.

Police on Tuesday afternoon released surveillance photos of a grey 2024 Toyota Prius linked to the investigation.

New York State police released a surveillance photo of a vehicle they believe Melina Frattolin, 9, and her father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, were travelling in before the child was found dead. (Source: New York State Police)

Ticonderoga residents said prayers for Melina during a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening.

“I know that many here, even though we did not know Melina, we are crushed in spirit. And I know that her mom, and her family in Canada, and those who she went to school with, are crushed in spirit,” one woman told the crowd.

New York State Police Captain Robert A. McConnell told a news conference on Monday that the father legally entered the U.S. for a vacation and was expected to return on July 20, the day his daughter’s body was found. The two visited a number of locations in Connecticut and New York, including New York City.

Melina’s mother, who lives in Montreal, has had sole custody of her daughter since the couple became estranged in 2019, police said.

Melina’s father called 911 at 10 p.m. on Saturday to report his daughter missing with a possible abduction, according to police. He allegedly told police that two unknown males forced his daughter into a white van while he stopped to urinate near a parking lot in Lake George, but officers didn’t find his version of events credible.

As the investigation continues, New York state police say anyone with information about the case can call 518-873-2750 or email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.