If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
The story of Saniyya Dennis, a 19-year-old Buffalo State College student who went missing on April 24th, 2021, is heartbreaking. Evidence released by law enforcement suggested Dennis took her own life after a series of distressing events leading up to her disappearance.
Until this week, there had been no confirmation of whether Dennis' body was recovered despite extensive search efforts. Niagara Action can confirm that Dennis' head was recovered from the lower Niagara River in the weeks after her tragic death. The source, a male who was working rescue efforts at the Maid of the Mist, said that the remains were found floating in the water.
New York State Police were contacted for comment and stated that the investigation was handed back to SUNY Buffalo State: "NYSP documents a New York State Park Police case regarding that subject, Saniyya Dennis that SP Niagara Bureau Criminal of Investigation turned over to SUNY Buffalo State College as a missing person case."
Niagara Action reached out to SUNY Buffalo State University who have not returned multiple requests for comment.
Dennis was last seen leaving her dormitory on the evening of April 24th following an argument with her boyfriend that resulted in their breakup. In the hours that followed, she made numerous attempts to contact him calling 66 times and sending alarming texts including one that read, "I’m not feeling good - I think I’m going to kill myself."
Despite her desperate pleas, her ex-boyfriend, who was in New York City at the time, did not respond. Later that day, Dennis spoke with a male friend in New York City confiding in him about her suicidal thoughts.
They engaged in a four-hour conversation during which she expressed feelings of hopelessness but also mentioned reconsidering her earlier statements about suicide.
However, around 11pm, she was seen on surveillance footage throwing personal items into a garbage can which lead investigators to believe she had decided not to return to her dorm. Shortly after discarding her belongings, Dennis swiped her bus card and traveled alone to Goat Island, a location near Niagara Falls. Around midnight, she sent a text to her mother saying, "I love you - I’ll call tomorrow," and another to her friend indicating she wouldn’t see him that summer.
The last confirmed sighting of Dennis was captured on park cameras around 12:17am on April 25th where she was seen on a bridge. During a 45-minute phone call with her male friend, she disclosed her intention to jump off the bridge. Just after 1am, she took a Snapchat selfie with the iconic falls in the background.
Minutes later, she sent a final text to a friend claiming she was on her way back to Buffalo, but cell phone records later indicated this was not true. Shortly afterward her phone left the cellular network, suggesting it was either turned off or destroyed.
A K9 search tracked Dennis's scent to Luna Island, located between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, where the dogs showed signs of wanting to jump over a railing into the turbulent waters below.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Head of Missing Buffalo State Student Saniyya Dennis was Found in Niagara River
Tragic Discovery: Missing Buffalo State Student Saniyya Dennis Feared to Have Died by Suicide
The story of Saniyya Dennis, a 19-year-old Buffalo State College student who went missing on April 24th, 2021, is heartbreaking. Evidence released by law enforcement suggested Dennis likely took her own life after a series of distressing events leading up to her disappearance.
Up until today, there has been no confirmation of whether the body, or any part of it, was recovered. Niagara Action can confirm that Dennis' head was recovered from the lower Niagara River in the weeks after. Our source is a male who was working rescue efforts at the Maid of the Mist.
Dennis was last seen leaving her dormitory on the evening of April 24th following an argument with her boyfriend that resulted in their breakup. In the hours that followed, she made numerous attempts to contact him calling 66 times and sending alarming texts including one that read, "I’m not feeling good - I think I’m going to kill myself."
Despite her desperate pleas, her ex-boyfriend, who was in New York City at the time, did not respond. Later that day, Dennis spoke with a male friend in New York City confiding in him about her suicidal thoughts. They engaged in a four-hour conversation during which she expressed feelings of hopelessness but also mentioned reconsidering her earlier statements about suicide.
However, around 11pm, she was seen on surveillance footage throwing personal items into a garbage can which lead investigators to believe she had decided not to return to her dorm. Shortly after discarding her belongings, Dennis swiped her bus card and traveled alone to Goat Island, a location near Niagara Falls. Around midnight, she sent a text to her mother saying, "I love you - I’ll call tomorrow," and another to her friend indicating she wouldn’t see him that summer.
The last confirmed sighting of Dennis was captured on park cameras around 12:17am on April 25th where she was seen on a bridge. During a 45-minute phone call with her male friend, she disclosed her intention to jump off the bridge. Just after 1am, she took a Snapchat selfie with the iconic falls in the background.
Minutes later, she sent a final text to a friend claiming she was on her way back to Buffalo, but cell phone records later indicated this was not true. Shortly afterward her phone left the cellular network, suggesting it was either turned off or destroyed.
A K9 search tracked Dennis's scent to Luna Island, located between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, where the dogs showed signs of wanting to jump over a railing into the turbulent waters below.
Here are some headline ideas focusing on the discovery of Saniyya Dennis's body part: 1. "Tragic Discovery: Head of Missing Buffalo State Student Saniyya Dennis Found in Niagara River" 2. "Heartbreaking Update: Body Part of Saniyya Dennis Recovered from Lower Niagara River" 3. "Saniyya Dennis Case: Recovery of Head Raises Questions About Her Disappearance" 4. "Missing Student Saniyya Dennis: Head Found in Niagara River Confirmed by Authorities" 5. "Saniyya Dennis: Recovery of Body Part Highlights Ongoing Search for Answers" 6. "Devastating Find: Head of Saniyya Dennis Discovered Amid Ongoing Investigation" 7. "Saniyya Dennis: Body Part Recovered, Community Mourns Loss of Young Life" 8. "Authorities Confirm Recovery of Saniyya Dennis's Head in Niagara River" 9. "Tragedy Strikes Again: Body Part of Missing Student Saniyya Dennis Found" 10. "Saniyya Dennis: Discovery of Head in River Sparks Renewed Focus on Mental Health"