Mother and two children dead after jumping off Niagara Falls

A mother and her two children have died after jumping over Niagara Falls on Monday night.

Chianti Means, 33, Roman Rossman, nine, and five-month-old Mecca Means stepped over the guardrail at Luna Island and fell to their deaths, according to New York State police. 

Their bodies have not yet been recovered, as reported by Syracuse.com. 

Officials have said the plunge was 'intentional.' 

However, they added that the 'circumstances remain under investigation.'

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. 

Authorities are using unmanned aircraft and underwater units in the investigation. 

The family reportedly lived in Niagara Falls. 

Means worked as a domestic violence counselor, according to her LinkedIn profile. 

Several of Means's friends have posted tributes on Facebook for the mother of three.

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

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

'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.'

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.