Tragedy at Niagara Falls: Mother and Two Children Lost in Apparent Intentional Fall
Niagara Falls, NY – In a heartbreaking incident that has gripped the community, a mother and her two young children were lost at Niagara Falls on October 28, 2024. Authorities believe the act was intentional, as surveillance footage and witness statements indicate that Chianti Means, a 33-year-old mother from New York, helped her nine-year-old son, Roman, and five-month-old daughter, Mecca, over the railing before she herself followed them into the powerful cascade.
The incident, which occurred at around 9 p.m., immediately drew the attention of New York State Park Police and emergency services. According to Trooper James O’Callaghan, New York State Police reviewed security footage from Goat Island, which revealed disturbing details of the moments leading up to the fall. Witnesses on the scene reported seeing Means approach the barrier with her children, leading to an intense search and rescue operation that ultimately confirmed the tragic outcome.
The authorities have not disclosed further details from the footage, but their statements suggest that the evidence points to a premeditated act. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to piece together what may have led to this devastating decision. Family members and friends have expressed shock and grief, with some social media posts in recent weeks hinting at Means’s emotional distress.
This tragic event has prompted officials to remind the public of the resources available for those struggling with mental health issues. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss and grapples with the profound impact of this incident at one of the nation’s most iconic landmarks.
For anyone experiencing a crisis, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers support at 988, with services available 24/7.
