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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.
CANADIAN GIRL, 9, FOUND DEAD IN NEW YORK AFTER FATHER CLAIMED SHE WAS KIDNAPPED
An autopsy on Monday revealed that Melina Galanis Frattolin, 9, died due to drowning and her death was ruled a homicide. (New York State Police)
Frattolin remains in custody at Essex County Correctional Facility after his arraignment