Mom Leaps Into Niagara Falls with 9-Year-Old and Baby — Authorities Call It an ‘Intentional Act’

New York State Police are investigating a tragic incident in which a mother and her two young children fell to their deaths at Niagara Falls State Park on October 28. Authorities identified the victims as Chianti Means, 33, her 9-year-old son, Roman Rossman, and her 5-month-old daughter, Mecca Means. Police report that the family bypassed safety barriers before falling over Niagara Falls from Luna Island, a small section of the park connected to Goat Island.

According to New York State Police, Emergency services were called to the scene around 9 a.m., and New York State Park Trooper James O’Callaghan confirmed in a statement that police responded to an incident “on or around Goat Island in Niagara Falls.” Their investigation revealed that the family crossed over the safety rail on Luna Island before falling into the waters below.

Although the bodies of Means and her children have not been recovered, authorities have deemed the deaths “intentional in nature” based on evidence gathered at the scene. The investigation remains active as police work to uncover more details surrounding the circumstances of the fall.

Speaking with reporters on October 30, Trooper O’Callaghan explained, “They went there and they never came out. That’s where we’re at.” He emphasized that the area around Niagara Falls is highly secure, with various safety measures in place. “It’s not something where they just stumbled in,” he said, indicating that the family’s actions appeared deliberate.

O’Callaghan acknowledged that witness accounts have provided some insights, though he withheld specifics due to the ongoing investigation. However, he noted, “It is alarming what they told us.” He added that the police are working to understand the sequence of events leading to the tragedy. “What were the actual circumstances of how that went down? That is the part that we may be able to solve, or we may never know. But the fact of the matter is we don’t believe there are any other parties involved.”

The officer further explained, “Based on the information we have, we do know it was an intentional act, but the reason why is tougher to answer.” As the investigation continues, the Niagara Falls community mourns the loss of Means and her two children, with local authorities working diligently to gather any information that may shed light on the motives behind this tragic event.