Warning: This article may contain some information that some viewers may find distressing.
Here’s what we know about the devastating tragedy that took place in Niagara Falls.
On Monday (October 28), a woman identified as 33-year-old Chianti Means climbed over a safety rail at the park and fell to her death along with her two children, nine-year-old Roman Rossman and five-month-old Mecca Means.
Police believe the tragic incident was “intentional”.
Authorities arrived at Luna Island, which is a small island between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, at 9PM after they were contacted by witnesses who reported seeing the family.
A member of the New York State Police revealed in an interview with WKBW TV that investigators believe the mom consciously jumped with her two children.
“We do believe it was intentional but the circumstances of that investigation and the circumstances of what actually happened are still under investigation,” they said. “But we know that they went over due to the information from park police and some of the information we were able to obtain through multiple different sources in and around Niagara Falls and pieces of evidence we were able to come across in search warrants.”
The police added: “They went there and they never came out. So that’s where we’re at. […] Like I said there’s a lot of safety railings, a lot of security measures at the state park so it’s not something where they just stumbled in.”
Police believe Means intentionally jumped with her children. Credit: AerialPerspective Images / Getty
Means shared alarming posts on social media before her death.
The 33-year-old mom lived in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area and worked as a domestic violence counselor, according to the New York Post.
She graduated from Buffalo State University in 2019 and has a Bachelor’s degree in social work. She also earned her Master of Social Work at the University of Buffalo.
Means’ Facebook page, which was under the name Diamond Scott, has since been recovered by investigators and revealed shocking posts she made about the father of her 5-month-old.
Posting on the social media platform last month, she wrote: “I wish someone would love me because the man that’s suppose [sic] to does not.”
On October 1, Means returned to Facebook to share a harrowing post, which read: “Everyone please leave me alone I’m in love with my daughter’s father,” also adding: “I want my family back. Respectfully Idga* what I said about him before or what anyone else thinks.”
One day before her tragic death, the mom-of-two posted: “Unfortunately for everyone who wanna get with me… my body only craves one person. GM.”
Tributes have been shared on Facebook.
Daily Mail reported that Means’ friends and family have shared tributes on Facebook in remembrance of her. The posts have not been verified.
“I can’t even [bear] to write a post about her and share memories,” someone named Mich Molina wrote. “‘I am literally sick to my stomach and I can’t even deal with the emotions I am feeling. Just know her and her children are dearly loved by me and my children.”
Shanti Kendyll said: “So sorry you didn’t feel like you could turn anywhere else Chianti,” while Amanda Lynn Marie Roberts-Conrad posted: “my sweet, sweet friend,” followed by four broken-heart emojis.
Police have not found the bodies.
New York State Police and New York Park Police are working to recover the bodies of a mother and her two children.
The New York State Police Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Aviation, and Underwater Recovery Units are all helping with the investigation.
“The investigation has determined that this incident was intentional in nature, though the circumstances remain under investigation,” state troopers said, per The New York Post.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.
Featured image credit: © Vincent Boisvert, all right reserved / Getty
