Tragedy strikes Niagara Falls as New York State Police confirm the deaths of a mother and her two children who went over the guard rail at Luna Island. Authorities have identified the victims as 33-year-old Chianti Means and her two sons, nine-year-old Roman Rossman and five-month-old Mecca Means, all residents of Niagara Falls. Police believe the mother intentionally crossed the safety barrier with her children, leading to an apparent murder-suicide that has shaken the community and drawn widespread expressions of grief.
Witnesses report that Means crossed the safety rail Monday afternoon before plunging over the falls with her children. Rescue crews responded immediately, but despite extensive efforts, they were unable to save the family. As investigators work to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy, online tributes and remembrances for the mother and her sons are pouring in from friends and community members, highlighting the family’s sudden and heartbreaking loss.
Further investigation into Means’ social media posts reveals distressing messages she had shared recently about a breakup with the father of her infant son. The posts, which have caught the attention of both friends and law enforcement, reportedly detailed feelings of emotional distress, providing potential context for the tragic incident.
Means’ family and friends are now grappling with the sudden and unimaginable loss, using social media to share memories of Roman and Mecca and to mourn a woman described by some as “loving but deeply troubled.”
As the community mourns, Niagara Falls officials have reiterated the importance of safety at the falls, where thousands of visitors gather each year. Additional mental health resources and support networks are being promoted by local agencies to help those affected by the tragedy and to support individuals in crisis.
