The tragic story of Chianti Means, a 33-year-old woman who threw her two children over Niagara Falls before jumping herself, has drawn parallels to a similar incident that occurred in 2023. Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the October 28th incident which has left the community in shock.
According to reports, police received a call around 9pm alerting them that Means had gone over the safety guard rail at the falls with her nine-year-old son, Roman Rossman, and five-month-old daughter, Mecca Means. Despite extensive search efforts, authorities have yet to recover their bodies.
Trooper James O’Callaghan described the incident as "intentional," but emphasized that investigators are still working to understand the motivations behind the event.
"The circumstances of how that went down, that is the part we may be able to solve or we may never know," O’Callaghan stated, acknowledging the complexity of the case.
This heartbreaking incident echoes a similar event from February 2023 when a mother jumped holding her five-year-old son and fell approximately 90 feet into the Niagara Gorge. There, the mother did not survive while the young boy was stabilized and treated for a head injury at Oishei Children's Hospital.
New York State Parks Police Captain Chris Rola highlighted the challenges of performing rescues in the treacherous terrain of Niagara Falls noting the efforts of the swift water rescue team and other first responders.
As the investigation into Chianti Means and her children's deaths continues, authorities are gathering witness accounts to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy.
O’Callaghan remarked on the alarming nature of the information received from witnesses, which the Niagara Action has learned from sources included the 9-year-old son fighting back against his mother.
Anyone experiencing mental health challenges are encouraged to contact Niagara County Crisis Services at (716) 285-3515 or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Mother who Threw Children and herself over Niagara Falls Mirrors 2023 Incident