Niagara Falls: Heartbreaking tributes to mum who died with her kids after jumping from waterfall

Chianti Means and her children Roman Rossman, nine, and five-month-old Mecca Means, have died after she reportedly stepped over the safety railing with them at Niagara Falls in New York

A close friend of the mum who died with her two children after she is said to have jumped off Niagara Falls is "sick to her stomach".

Chianti Means, 33, is believed to have jumped intentionally from one of the waterfall in New York on Monday. She is thought to have taken her children, including five-month-old baby Mecca, with her as she stepped over safety railings at the site.

Tourists reportedly watched in horror as Chianti, Mecca and her older child, nine-year-old Roman Rossman plunged to their deaths. Expressing her grief on Facebook, Mich Molina, a friend of the family, said: "I can’t even bare to write a post about her and share memories.

"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."

Mich's tribute is one of several to Chianti, who is thought to have been a domestic violence counsellor. Another friend wrote: "You really never know what anybody is going through…"

Chianti, who was from Niagara Falls, the city in Canada which takes its name from the nearby waterfalls, is said to have stepped over the guardrail at Luna Island, a small island that sits between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, making up part of the popular tourist attraction. Neither her body, or those of her two children have been recovered from the water. Authorities continue their search today.

Writing online, another person said: "This case is so sad!! I wish she would have talked to someone... My heart and prayers go out to all her family and friend." A further post states: "Praying more than ever for the ones who have to endure such losses."

A spokesperson for the police said: "On October 28, 2024, at approximately 9:00 PM., New York State Park Police and the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to an incident on or around Goat Island in Niagara Falls, NY. Investigation determined that three individuals, Chianti Means, 33-years-old, Roman Rossman, nine-years-old and Mecca Means, five-months-old all crossed over safety guild rail and went over Niagara Falls on Luna Island (attached to Goat Island).

"The investigation has determined that this incident was intentional in nature, though the circumstances remain under investigation. New York State Park Police and State Police search/rescue efforts were conducted with negative results. This incident deems no public threat to safety."

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