A tragic incident occurred at Niagara Falls on Monday night when 33-year-old Chaianti Means and her two young children, Roman Rossman, age 9, and Mecca Means, just 5 months old, went over the 200-foot waterfall near Luna Island.
New York State Police reported that Means and her children climbed over a safety guard rail before plunging over the falls.
Emergency responders, including New York State Park Police and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, were dispatched to the area around Goat Island, connected to Luna Island, where they attempted search and rescue efforts, which ultimately were unsuccessful.
State police later determined that the incident appeared intentional, though the specific circumstances remain under investigation. The statement emphasized there is no threat to public safety.
Niagara Falls, a popular destination, has multiple overlook points, including Luna Island, located between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, where the tragedy occurred.
Means, a resident of Niagara Falls and mother of three, was known professionally as a domestic violence counselor, according to her LinkedIn profile. Friends and family have expressed deep sorrow and shock over her and her children’s deaths.
A friend, Mich Molina, posted, “I can’t even bear to write a post about her and share memories,” capturing the grief and disbelief felt by those close to Chaianti.
Another friend, Niesha Eukeya, echoed a sentiment shared by many who lose loved ones unexpectedly: “You really never know what anybody is going through… RIP.”
The incident follows another tragic event at Niagara Falls nearly a year and a half ago when a 34-year-old Illinois mother intentionally went over a railing on Goat Island with her five-year-old son.
In that instance, the mother did not survive, but her son was critically injured and eventually rescued. In addition to local authorities, the investigation is supported by state park police’s unmanned aircraft systems and marine patrol, the state police aviation underwater recovery unit, the Niagara Falls Police Department, and Niagara Charter Schools.
The community, devastated by the loss, is left grappling with grief, underscoring a tragic reminder of how unseen struggles can lead to unimaginable outcomes.
