Family tragedy

Mother jumped into Niagara Falls with children – dead!

Chianti Means appeared with her children above the edge of Niagara Falls at around 9 p.m. on Monday.(Bild: Aivolie – stock.adobe.com/Linkedin Chianti Means, Krone KREATIV)

An unbelievable family tragedy has taken place in Niagara Falls. Horrified eyewitnesses watched as 33-year-old Chianti Means jumped into the water with her nine-year-old son Roman and her five-month-old daughter Macca - and all three were swept 65 meters to their deaths.

According to New York State Police, Means had appeared with her children on Luna Island just above the edge of Niagara Falls at around 9 p.m. on Monday.

"According to our investigation, the woman climbed over the safety barrier. She intentionally jumped into the water of Niagara Falls with her nine-year-old son and five-month-old daughter."

On her LinkedIn, Means is listed as a counselor for victims of domestic violence.(Bild: LinkedIn/Chianti Means )

Bodies not yet recovered
By the early hours of Thursday morning, police and fire rescue teams had not managed to recover the bodies. The search had been "unsuccessful".

The woman, who had graduated from the University of Buffalo with a degree in social work in 2020, had lived in the town of Niagara Falls, which is located near the waterfall. According to police, "there is no indication yet of a motive for the young woman's suicide."

I just cried all night, my heart broke. Mental health needs to be taken seriously!

Kayshawna Morgane

On Means' Facebook page, her friend Kayshawna Morgane gives a hint as to what might have been behind the unimaginable act: "I just cried all night, my heart broke. Mental health needs to be taken seriously!"

The viewing platforms, which are monitored by the New York Office of Parks and Recreation, are open day and night.

If you or someone close to you is experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts, please call the mental health helpline at 142. You can find more crisis lines and emergency numbers HERE.