Just over a week after a tragic incident where a woman reportedly ‘intentionally’ leaped into Niagara Falls with her two young children, authorities are investigating a similar case involving another woman suspected of going into the falls.
On October 28, New York authorities initiated an investigation following a report around 9 pm local time that Chianti Means had gone over the safety guard rail at the falls with her nine-year-old son, Roman Rossman, and her five-month-old daughter, Mecca Means.
The police conducted a search for Chianti and her children, but their bodies have not yet been recovered.
State Police Public Information Officer Trooper James O’Callaghan classified the incident as ‘intentional,’ although they are still working to understand the circumstances.
After scrutinizing security footage from Luna Park, authorities believe she entered the water with her children on purpose, as reported by the Niagara Gazette.
According to the outlet, State Police stated at a press conference that Roman was the first to enter the water, followed by Mecca, and then their mother.
When questioned if Chianti was pursuing her children, O’Callaghan responded: “No, we believe this was intentional. Not going to get into what the witnesses saw because it’s still an active case, but it is alarming what they told us.”
It was explained that Chianti climbed over the four-foot guardrail, and both fathers are currently cooperating with the police.
In a tragic development, another woman is now reported missing at the falls.
Witnesses suspect that the unidentified woman went into the water at Goat Island, near Horseshoe Falls.
Police informed WGRZ: “An immediate search of the area commenced using Park Police drone, foot searches of the gorge, and visual searches from overlooks.”
Regarding Chianti Means’ case, her cousin Bierra Hamilton mentioned that Chianti, who was 33, suffered from postpartum depression.
The National Institute of Mental Health defines postpartum depression as ‘a mood disorder that occurs after childbirth,’ with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. These can include feeling depressed, having thoughts of harming oneself or the child, or frequently crying over one’s feelings.
Hamilton stated: “Understand this – postpartum [depression] is very real and needs a cure. Her death wasn’t over a man. My cousin was silently fighting depression alone.”
Chianti was also known as Diamond Scott. A Facebook post by her cousin stated: “Diamond Scott did not end her life over no man. Let’s just be clear. It’s no evidence of that. YALL BE LOUD AND WRONG.”
If you believe you might be experiencing Postpartum Depression, please call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit the 988 Lifeline.