Over the Edge: Police Reveal Harrowing Details of Niagara Falls Incident Involving Mom and Kids!

A heartbreaking scene unfolded at Niagara Falls this week, as authorities say a mother may have pushed her young children over the edge before following them into the rushing waters. Crews continue to search for 33-year-old Chianti Means, her nine-year-old son Roman Rossman, and her five-month-old daughter Mecca Means, hoping to recover their bodies amid the roar of the falls.

The tragic incident occurred Monday night when Means, a resident of Niagara Falls, New York, scaled the protective guardrails with her children at Luna Park. Security footage reportedly shows the children going over the railings first, followed closely by Means. New York State Park Police representative James O’Callaghan confirmed that the footage appeared to capture an intentional act. “We believe this was intentional,” he stated at a press conference, adding that witness reports had provided concerning details, though specifics were withheld as the investigation continues.

Shortly after the incident, officers were dispatched to Goat Island around 9 p.m., where they quickly realized that all three were missing. Authorities now suspect they were swept over the edge and into the waters below. The New York Marine Patrol, along with Aviation and Underwater Recovery Units, have joined forces with state police and deployed Unmanned Aircraft Systems in a thorough search of the area. However, their efforts so far have yielded no signs of the family members, raising concerns that the powerful falls may prevent their recovery, as has been the case with many previous incidents.

On social media, Chianti Means, known as Diamond Scott to her friends, had shared glimpses of her life that have now taken on a somber tone. Just weeks before the incident, Means posted messages expressing a mix of love, loneliness, and heartbreak. In one post, she urged, “You have to hold on to the ones you love…never know when you might lose them.” In another, she openly shared her relationship struggles, writing, “I wish someone would love me because the man that’s supposed to does not,” reflecting a sense of isolation.

Family members have since come forward, revealing Means had been privately battling postpartum depression. Her cousin, Bierra Hamilton, insisted her struggles were not driven by a romantic relationship, but rather an inner battle that she faced alone. “Her death wasn’t over a man. My cousin was silently fighting depression alone,” Hamilton told reporters. A friend, Amanda Roberts-Conrad, remembered Means fondly as a kind-hearted individual. “Diamond was kind and beautiful. I will remember her as such,” she said, describing their last memory together at a summer birthday party.

The tragic loss of Means and her children has left the community in mourning and ignited conversation about mental health struggles among young mothers. Roberts-Conrad expressed frustration over negative comments directed at Means, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding. “It makes me so sad to see people paint her a type of way,” she shared. “We need to bring more awareness to postpartum depression and possibly more safety down by the falls. This is a common occurrence in my city. It’s gut-wrenching. It really is a terrible loss.”

As the search continues, Niagara Falls serves as a solemn reminder of the profound impact mental health challenges can have, particularly when left unaddressed. The local community is left to grapple with the heartbreak, and many are calling for increased awareness and support for mental health resources to help prevent future tragedies.