New York mom and two young kids — including 5-month old baby — dead after jumping off Niagara Falls

A New York mother jumped off Niagara Falls with her two young kids, including a 5-month-old baby — and all three are dead, cops said.

Chianti Means, 33, stepped over the guardrail Monday night at Luna Island — a popular overlook above the falls’ with a nearly 200-foot drop, according to New York State Police.

Police responded around 9 p.m., with investigators determining that the plunge was “intentional.”

A group of tourists standing on Luna Island, enjoying the view of Niagara Gorge through the mist in Niagara Falls, NY
Rescuers are still searching for their bodies. Linda Harms – stock.adobe.com

“The circumstances remain under investigation,” state troopers said.

Means and her kids — 9-year-old Roman Rossman and baby Mecca Means — were residents of Niagara Falls.

Rescuers have still been unable to locate any of the bodies as of Wednesday.

The mother worked as a domestic violence counselor, according to her LinkedIn profile, and graduated from school in nearby Buffalo.

Friends quickly began paying tribute to Means on social media.

“I have been speechless and crying and couldn’t sleep at all,” wrote friend Kayshawna Morgane on Facebook. “My heart is broken. Mental health is no joke.”

“I can’t even bear to write a post about her and share memories,” said friend Mich Molina.

“I am literally sick to my stomach and I can’t even deal with the emotions I am feeling. Just know her and her children are dearly loved by me and my children,” she added.

Luna Island is one of several popular overlooks perched above the New York side of Niagara Falls.

The deaths were just the latest tragedies at the landmark in recent years.

In 2023, another mother jumped with her son into the Niagara Gorge, just down river from the falls.

That mother died in the fall, but rescuers were able to save the five-year-old boy.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

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