Mom who ‘intentionally’ jumped from Niagara Falls with her two children eerie repeat of similar 2023 tragedy
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
The story of a 33-year-old woman who is thought to have intentionally jumped over Niagara Falls with her two children is sadly reminiscent of another tragedy that took place just last year.
Authorities in New York launched an investigation on October 28 this year, after receiving a report at approximately 9pm local time alerting them that a woman had gone over the safety guard rail at the falls with her two children.
Police searched for the mom, who was identified as Chianti Means, as well as nine-year-old Roman Rossman and five-month-old Mecca Means, but have so far been unable to find their bodies.
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Trooper James O’Callaghan, a State Police Public Information Officer, described the incident as 'intentional', but said police were still trying to find out the reason behind what happened.
As tragic as it is, the story of Chianti and her children is sadly not the only one of its kind.
In February 2023, a five-year-old boy was left in critical condition after he and his mother both fell 'approximately 90 feet' into the Niagara Gorge, near the Cave of the Winds complex.
Rescuers quickly rushed to perform 'life-saving measures' for the mother and son, but the mom sadly died at the bottom of the gorge.
The young boy was stabilized and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for a head injury.
Discussing the rescue effort, New York State Parks Police Captain at the time, Chris Rola, said: "Although today it's nice out, it's very icy down there. It's a real tough terrain that our guy and our girls were able to get through and get to them and provide that life-saving care and do everything they could.
"We were going to make every effort for that child that was still alive at the time."
Rola added: "Niagara Falls is a tough place to perform rescues. The State Park Police, we have a swift water rescue team, we have high angle rope rescue guys that train all the time. Niagara Falls fire is great, and as you can see, the state police are a great partner with us, and their aviation crews [are] top-notch."
At the time, the captain said authorities did not believe the fall was an accident.
The investigation into Chianti and her children's deaths is still ongoing, but on at the weekend O'Callaghan admitted: "The circumstances of how that went down, that is the part we may be able to solve or we may never know. Not going to get into what the witnesses saw because it’s still an active case, but it is alarming what they told us."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org.You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
Topics: Mental Health, US News
Emily Brown