The search for a mother and her two children who tragically went over Niagara Falls may ultimately yield no recoveries, authorities have stated. Chianti Means, 33, stepped over the guardrail at Niagara’s Luna Island on Monday night, taking her two children, Roman, 9, and four-month-old Mecca, with her.
After several days of intensive search and rescue operations, police reported on Wednesday that no remains were found. Niagara’s powerful currents often make recovery efforts challenging. Sadly, many individuals who fall or jump from the falls remain lost, swept away by the intense water flow that sends over 3,600 tons of water plummeting every second.
Historical accounts reveal that victims have been found far from the falls, such as one man’s remains discovered 140 miles away in Lake Ontario years after he disappeared.
Read: Who is Chianti Means?
Security Footage Reveals Sequence of Events in Niagara Falls Tragedy
According to State Park Police, a review of security footage from Luna Island, a small area near the top of Niagara Falls, has helped clarify the tragic sequence of events. Footage confirmed that 9-year-old Roman Rossman was the first to go over the falls, followed by 5-month-old Mecca Means, and then their mother, 33-year-old Chianti Means, as reported by the Niagara Gazette.
At a press briefing, State Police Public Information Officer Trooper James O’Callaghan responded to questions about whether the mother might have been chasing after her children. “No, we believe this was intentional,” he stated, underscoring the conclusion reached by investigators.
so sad. suicide at niagra falls and she just had a baby. Postpartum probably didnt have a lot of support smh. Beautiful girl. Sad for the kids especially 9 year old was probably so scared smh😢 rip to the mommy and kids #ChiantiMeans ‘wish she looked into resources & help instead pic.twitter.com/Pbw8Wbny6C
— ✨Lanré✨ (@SikiraT) October 31, 2024
Niagara Falls Tragedy: Investigators Probe Possible Mental Health Factors as Search Continues
On Monday evening, New York State and Park Police responded to Goat Island at around 9:30 p.m. after witnesses reported a woman going over Niagara Falls with her two children. According to eyewitness accounts, 33-year-old Chianti Means climbed over a four-foot guardrail on Luna Island with her children, 9-year-old Roman Rossman and 5-month-old Mecca Means, before the fatal plunge.
Why did she have to take the babies?!
— Rose (@901Lulu) October 31, 2024
Such a tragedy. She was clearly not okay. 😔 #niagrafalls #domesticabuse #chiantimeans #diamondscott pic.twitter.com/qZBiXqfZhw
Authorities have yet to confirm a motive but are exploring the potential role of mental health factors in this tragic incident, as reported by the Niagara Gazette. The State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation has launched an investigation and noted that charges are unlikely.
The fathers of both Roman and Mecca are cooperating fully with the investigation. As of now, search efforts have not yet led to the recovery of any bodies.
