On Monday, October 28, 2024, a tragic incident occurred at Niagara Falls where a 33-year-old mother and her two young children fell to their deaths. New York State Police identified the victims as Chianti Means, her nine-year-old son Roman Rossman, and five-month-old daughter Mecca Means. The incident has been determined to be an intentional act.
“The investigation has determined that this incident was intentional in nature, though the circumstances remain under investigation,” stated the State Police in a press release.
Police were alerted to the incident at Niagara Falls State Park around 9 p.m. Monday following reports of three individuals going over the safety rail at Luna Island, an area situated between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Despite immediate search efforts by the State Park Police and State Police, the victims could not be located.
Means, a resident of Niagara Falls, New York, was a domestic violence counselor with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University at Buffalo. In the weeks before the tragic incident, Means had posted on social media about relationship difficulties and her separation from her infant’s father.
According to law enforcement officials, Luna Falls, with its nearly 200-foot drop, has a multitude of security measures in place, indicating that the victims didn’t simply stumble in.
Police continue their search operations, deploying unmanned aircraft and underwater units in their recovery efforts. The hazardous currents and landscape of Niagara Falls, particularly around Luna Island, pose considerable challenges for search and recovery operations.
Social media has been flooded with tributes to the deceased mother. Niesha Eukeya, a user on social media, emphasized how people often don’t understand the struggles others may be experiencing and sent her condolences to Means’ aunt.
Another user, Mich Molina, expressed her difficulty in penning a full post or sharing memories, stating her overwhelming emotions and physical discomfort. Molina highlighted her deep affection, and that of her children, for Means and her kids.
The cover photo on Means’ Facebook profile included a heartfelt message about her son, expressing her love for him, stating he gave her life, and in turn, he gave her a reason to live.
