A mother from New York, Chianti Means, 33, sadly jumped off Niagara Falls with her two young children, a 9-year-old son named Roman and a 5-month-old baby named Mecca. Unfortunately, all three have died. This incident happened on Monday night at Luna Island, a popular viewing area that overlooks the falls.
New York State Police believe that the jump was planned and not an accident. They are still looking into the situation to understand what led to this tragic event. The family lived in Niagara Falls, and as of Wednesday, rescuers had not yet found any of their bodies.
Chianti worked as a domestic violence counselor and had graduated from school in Buffalo. Friends of hers have been expressing their grief on social media. One friend, Kayshawna Morgane, shared that she has been very emotional and that mental health is very important. Another friend, Mich Molina, said she is heartbroken and loved Chianti and her children very much. A third friend, Niesha Eukeya, reminded everyone that we never really know what others are going through.
Luna Island is a popular spot for visitors to view Niagara Falls. It is somewhat isolated and has only a low railing to separate visitors from the steep drop. The area is open to the public 24/7 and attracts over 8 million visitors each year.
Sadly, this is not the first tragedy at Niagara Falls. Earlier this year, another mother jumped with her son into the gorge near the falls. That mother died, but rescuers managed to save her 5-year-old son.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please reach out for help. You can call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org for support.
