Tributes for mom and children after fatal Niagara Falls jump

Tributes have poured in from heartbroken loved ones of a mother-of-three after she jumped over Niagara Falls with her two young children.

Chaianti Means, 33, Roman Rossman, nine, and five-month-old Mecca Means stepped over the guardrail at Luna Island and fell to their deaths on Monday night, according to New York State police. Their bodies have not yet been recovered.

Officials have said the plunge was 'intentional', but added that the 'circumstances remain under investigation'.

The woman's friends have now taken to Facebook to honor the 'dearly loved' mother and warn that 'you really never know what anybody is going through'.

Means, who lived in the greater Niagara Falls area with her family, worked as a domestic violence counselor, according to her LinkedIn profile. 

'I can't even bare to write a post about her and share memories,' Mich Molina wrote.

'I am literally sick to my stomach and I can't even deal with the emotions I am feeling. Just know her and her children are dearly loved by me and my children.'

'I have been speechless and crying and couldn't sleep at all,' Kayshawna Morgane said in a Facebook post. 'My heart is broken. Mental health is no joke.' 

'You really never know what anybody is going through….RIP,' said Niesha Eukeya.

'So sorry you didn't feel like you could turn anywhere else Chianti,' Shanti Kendyll added.

Amanda Lynn Marie Roberts-Conrad posted 'my sweet, sweet friend,' followed by four broken heart emojis.

Witnesses reported seeing people go into the Falls around 9pm Monday, state trooper James O'Callaghan said in a press release.

Means, along with her two children, are understood to have crossed over the 'safety guild rail' at Luna Island.

'The investigation has determined that this incident was intentional in nature, though the circumstances remain under investigation,' O'Callaghan said.

New York State Police and Park Police carried out a search and rescue effort, but did not find the family's bodies. 

Authorities are using unmanned aircraft and underwater units in the investigation, as reported by Syracuse.com.  

Luna Island is a small island between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls that, along with the Horseshoe Falls, make up the popular tourist draw. 

Niagara Falls State Park is run by the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation and open to tourists 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

More than 8 million people visit the park each year, according to the recreation department.

Last year a mother from Illinois died, and her son survived, after she jumped with him from a 90-foot cliff onto the frozen banks of the Niagara Falls gorge.