A 33-year-old mother and her two children fell over Niagara Falls on Monday night, October 28, 2024, in what New York State Police have determined was an intentional act. The victims were identified as Chianti Means, her nine-year-old son Roman Rossman, and five-month-old daughter Mecca Means.

“The investigation has determined that this incident was intentional in nature, though the circumstances remain under investigation,” the State Police said in a news release. 

Law enforcement officials responded to Niagara Falls State Park around 9 p.m. Monday after receiving reports that three people had gone over the safety rail on Luna Island, a small area between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. State Park Police and State Police immediately launched search efforts but were unable to locate the victims.

Means, who resided in Niagara Falls, New York, worked as a domestic violence counselor and held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University at Buffalo. In the weeks leading up to Monday night, she had posted messages on social media about relationship difficulties and separation from her infant’s father.

According to police officials, Luna Falls, which features a nearly 200-foot drop, has “a lot of security measures” in place, so “it’s not something where they just stumbled in.”

Search operations continue, with police deploying unmanned aircraft and underwater units to assist recovery efforts. The dangerous currents and terrain of Niagara Falls present significant challenges for search and recovery operations, particularly around Luna Island.

Social media was filled with tributes to the mother. One woman, Niesha Eukeya, shared how we often don’t truly know what others might be going through and sent her condolences to the deceased woman’s aunt. 

Another, Mich Molina, expressed how she couldn’t bring herself to write a full post or share memories, saying she felt physically sick and overwhelmed by her emotions. She emphasized how deeply she and her children loved Chianti and her kids.

Ms. Means’ Facebook profile cover photo included a touching message about her son, saying she loved him, gave him life, and in return, he gave her a reason to live.