Over a week ago, Chianti Means, 33, jumped into Niagra Falls with her nine-year-old son Roman Rossman and five-month-old daughter Mecca Means.
Now, another woman, still not yet identified, jumped into the infamous falls, at Goat Island, near Horseshoe Falls. The police are still investigating the circumstances around these bizarre occurrences.
RELATED STORIES
TW: This article contains depictions or discussions of suicide and may be triggering to some readers.
What happened with Means and her children
Embed from Getty ImagesNew York authorities received a report at around 9 p.m. local time on October 28 that Means and her two children had gone over the safety guard rail at the falls.
The family’s bodies are still to be found and police described the incident as “intentional,” however, police are still trying to figure out what happened exactly.
The circumstances surrounding the family’s jump
Embed from Getty ImagesAccording to Luna Park security footage, Roman was the first to enter the water, followed by Mecca and then Means, having climbed over the four-foot guardrail. Trooper James O’Callaghan, a State Police Public Information Officer, confirmed that Means wasn’t chasing after her children and that their jump was “intentional.”
Means had postpartum depression
Embed from Getty ImagesMeans’ cousin, Bierra Hamilton, claimed that the late mother had postpartum depression. In addition, she has been through a failed relationship, which she talked about in a Facebook post.
However, Hamilton confirmed that “Her death wasn’t over a man. My cousin was silently fighting depression alone.”
More about postpartum depression
Embed from Getty ImagesAccording to the Cleveland Clinic, postpartum depression is a type of depression that occurs after having a baby due to hormonal, physical, emotional, financial, and social changes after having a baby.
Postpartum depression affects up to 15% of people but, fortunately, can be treated by medications and counseling.
The mystery woman’s fall
Embed from Getty ImagesOn Wednesday at 2:01 p.m., New York State Park Police received a call about a woman in the water. Police told WGRZ, “An immediate search of the area commenced using Park Police drone, foot searches of the gorge, and visual searches from overlooks.”
Who was Chianti Means?
Embed from Getty ImagesChianti Means was from Niagara Falls, just outside of Buffalo, New York. According to LinkedIn, she worked as a domestic violence counselor there. The search for her and her children’s bodies has been ongoing for two weeks, but they are still yet to be found.
Means’ friend also speaks out
Embed from Getty ImagesAmanda Roberts-Conrad, Means’ friend, told The US Sun that the late mother had postpartum depression, as well. “We need to bring more awareness to postpartum depression and possibly more safety down by the falls,” she said.
A unique tourist spot
Embed from Getty ImagesNiagra Falls is an extremely popular tourist spot because it is the oldest state park in the United States of America. It is known for its mesmerizing three waterfalls, which visitors can enjoy through boat rides and observation towers.
But a popular spot for suicides
Embed from Getty ImagesEach year, the great waterfalls witness dozens of suicides, where 3,610 tons of water rage every second. Many people’s bodies, whether they have committed suicide or accidentally fell into the waters, have never been recovered. Even those who are somehow discovered may take years until they are found.
A tour bus crashed on its way to the falls
Embed from Getty ImagesOn Thursday morning, a tour bus crashed on its way to the falls, leading to the unfortunate hospitalization of 28 people, and one person was critically injured. The bus flipped over on a highway near Rochester in upstate New York.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
