A New York mother and her two young children, a 9-year-old son and a 5-month-old daughter, have died after a tragic fall from Niagara Falls’ Luna Island overlook. New York State Police confirmed the incident, which occurred around 9 p.m. on Monday, was intentional, though the circumstances are still under investigation.
The victims were identified as 33-year-old Chianti Means, her son Roman Rossman, and her infant daughter Mecca Means, all residents of Niagara Falls. Authorities say Means crossed over the safety railing with her children before the fatal plunge. Despite search efforts, none of the bodies have been recovered as of Wednesday.
Means was a domestic violence counselor and a beloved figure among her friends and community. In emotional social media tributes, friends expressed heartbreak over her loss, with one commenting, “Mental health is no joke.” Another wrote, “My heart is broken. Just know her and her children are dearly loved.”
Luna Island, a relatively secluded overlook near Niagara Falls State Park, attracts millions of visitors annually but has limited barriers separating it from the edge. The site has seen other tragic incidents in recent years, including a similar event last year involving a mother and her son, where the mother lost her life but the child survived.
Investigators are working closely with the family, hoping to provide some level of closure as they seek to understand the motive behind the tragedy. “We do know this was an intentional act, but uncovering why is much more difficult,” said Trooper James O’Callaghan of New York State Police. Authorities will continue to investigate, with further details expected from the ongoing inquiry.
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