Melina Frattolin's Dad 'Loved His Daughter, But Didn't Like the Idea of Being Tied Down,' Friend Says: Report By Samira Asma-Sadeque

The father charged in connection with the death of his 9-year-old daughter he called “light of his life” seemingly had his reservations too, according to a person familiar with him.

Luciano Frattolin, 45, reported his daughter, Melina Frattolin, missing while they were on vacation in Lake George in upstate New York.

The Montreal native was arrested on a murder charge on Monday, July 21, a day after an Amber alert was issued for Melina, whom police worried had been abducted based on Luciano’s account.

Following Luciano’s arrest, the Associated Press, WRGB and The Montreal Gazette reported he was the founder of Gambella Coffee. On the company’s website, which has since been taken down, much of his bio centered around Melina, whom he called the “light of his life.”

“She is the inspiration for well, everything,” part of the bio reportedly said. “His pursuits for building a more equitable and just world are deeply guided by his determination that she will not have to endure the same social injustices that he encountered throughout his childhood.”

But it may not have been an entirely accurate reflection of his relationship with the child, according to one former friend of Luciano’s who shared details with a newspaper in Montreal.

“From what (Frattolin) said, he truly loved (Melina),” the friend, who declined to share his name publicly, told the Montreal Gazette.

“He would visit at least once a year. He loved his daughter, but he didn’t like the idea of being tied down,” the man told the outlet. “His main base was in Ethiopia, not Montreal.”

Luciano had reportedly said on the coffee company website that he would spend “as much time as he can” with his “beautiful daughter” in Montreal.

Cause of Death Revealed for Melina Frattolin, 9, as Father Faces Charges

Dad’s Kidnapping Claim Triggered Amber Alert for 9-Year-Old Girl. Now He’s Charged with Murder

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Luciano, who initially reported Melina missing on Saturday, was arrested soon after her body was found, after police say they noticed “inconsistencies” in his accounts.

Authorities have not publicly announced a motive behind the killing. Luciano has been charged with murder and concealment of a corpse.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.