NY Mother Reportedly Sent Her Children Over Niagara Falls First in ‘Intentional’ Fatal Plunge

The New York mother who intentionally jumped to her death at Niagara Falls with her young children first sent her kids over the railing, according to recent reports.

State Park Police stated Thursday that they reviewed security footage from Luna Park, a small area near the falls’ edge, confirmed the sequence of events leading to the fatal incident, and reported the ‘Niagara Gazette’.

Chianti climbed over a four-foot guardrail Monday night at Luna Island to get to the precipice from which she would lead her children to their demise. Facebook

According to State Police, Roman Rossman, age 9, was the first to enter the water, followed by five-month-old Mecca Means. Their mother, 33-year-old Chianti Means, then followed them over the falls. At a press conference, State Police Public Information Officer Trooper James O’Callaghan confirmed that they believe the incident was intentional. “No, we believe this was intentional,” he said when asked if Means might have been chasing after her children. “We won’t discuss what witnesses saw, as it’s still an active case, but what they told us is alarming,” O’Callaghan added, according to the *Niagara Gazette*.

Chianti Means reportedly threw her children over a railing down into Niagara Falls before she jumped on Oct. 28, 2024. Facebook

Authorities responded to the scene on Goat Island around 9:30 p.m. Monday after eyewitnesses reported seeing a woman go over the falls with her children. It was reported that Chianti Means climbed over a four-foot guardrail at Luna Island to reach the precipice where she led her children to their deaths.

The view of the Niagara Falls from New York on Oct. 29, 2019. AP

While investigators have yet to establish a motive, they are exploring whether a mental health crisis or disorder may have played a role in this tragic event, as reported by the *Niagara Gazette*. The State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting a probe but does not expect to file any charges.

Tourists gather at Terrapin Point on Goat Island to view the falls on June 15, 2017. AFP via Getty Images

The fathers of Roman and Mecca are reportedly cooperating with investigators. However, the bodies of the victims have yet to be recovered.