On Monday, Oct. 28, a woman whom New York state police have identified as 33-year-old Chianti Means climbed over a safety rail and fell to her death along with her two children, a 9-year-old and a five-month-old. Here’s what we know about the incident.
Police have not yet located the bodies
Authorities responded to the park around 9 p.m. Monday and determined the family went over the rail on Luna Island, a small island between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls that, along with the Horseshoe Falls, make up the popular tourist draw.
Means and her children Roman Rossman and Mecca Means have not been located after search and rescue efforts, police said Wednesday.
“The investigation has determined that this incident was intentional in nature, though the circumstances remain under investigation,” according to a news release from police, updated on Wednesday.Authorities are using unmanned aircraft and underwater units in the investigation.
Means is said to have worked as a domestic violence counsellor
According to a LinkedIn page for a woman with the same name, Means lived in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area and worked as a domestic violence counsellor, the New York Post reported. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in social work from Buffalo State University, graduating in 2019. She later earned her Master of Social Work at the University of Buffalo.
Tributes are being posted to social media
According to Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper, friends and family of the woman are posting comments to Facebook in remembrance of her. The posts have not been independently verified.
“I can’t even bare (sic) to write a post about her and share memories,” 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.”
“I have been speechless and crying and couldn’t sleep at all,” Kayshawna Morgane said in a separate Facebook post. “My heart is broken. Mental health is no joke.”
“You really never know what anybody is going through … RIP,” said Niesha Eukeya, while Shanti Kendyll added: “So sorry you didn’t feel like you could turn anywhere else Chianti.”
Amanda Lynn Marie Roberts-Conrad posted “my sweet, sweet friend,” followed by four broken-heart emojis.
A similar incident occurred last year
In February of 2023 another woman died and her five-year-old son was in critical condition after falling some 27 metres into a gorge at Niagara Falls, New York police said. They added that they did not believe it was an accident.
Rescuers said the child was stable enough to be carried to a waiting ambulance and transported to John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo.
On Sept. 9, 2023, police officers on the Canadian side were trying to speak to a 19-year-old man who ran a short distance away from them and jumped over the retaining wall. The man was located without vital signs, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Special Investigations Unit cleared the police of any wrongdoing.
Daredevils have tried similar feats
Going over the falls in a barrel has long been a desire of stunt people or thrill seekers, though officials do not condone it. One woman who survived the attempt was 62-year-old Annie Edson Taylor, in 1901. Although she gained fame and fortune (from selling her memoir), The New York Times reports that she eventually fell into poverty and died in relative obscurity on April 29, 1921.
If you’re thinking about suicide or are worried about a friend or loved one, please contact 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline by calling or texting 9-8-8 toll free. The service is available 24/7. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
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