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Tributes have poured in from a mother-of-three’s heartbroken loved ones after she jumped over Niagara Falls with her two young children.
Chaianti Means, 33, Roman Rossman, nine, and Mecca Means, five months, jumped over the railing on Luna Island and fell to their deaths Monday night, according to New York State Police. Their bodies have not yet been recovered.
Authorities have said the fall was “intentional” but added that the “circumstances remain under investigation.”
The woman’s friends have taken to Facebook to honor the “dear” mother and warn that “you never know what someone is going through.”
Means, who lived in the Niagara Falls metropolitan area with her family, worked as a domestic violence counselor, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Chaianti Means, 33, Roman Rossman, 9, and Mecca Means, five months, jumped over the railing on Luna Island Monday night and fell to their deaths.
Roman Rossman, nine, and Mecca Means, five months
“I can’t even write a post about her and share memories,” wrote Mich Molina.
‘I’m literally sick to my stomach and I can’t even deal with the emotions I’m feeling. “I just know that she and her children are very dear to me and my children.”
“I was speechless, crying and couldn’t sleep at all,” Kayshawna Morgane said in a Facebook post. ‘My heart is broken. Mental health is no joke.”
“You never really know what someone is going through… RIP,” Niesha Eukeya said.
“I’m so sorry you didn’t feel like you could look for Chianti anywhere else,” added Shanti Kendyll.
Amanda Lynn Marie Roberts-Conrad posted ‘my sweet, sweet friend,’ followed by four broken heart emojis.
It is understood Means, along with his two children, crossed the ‘safety guild railing’ on Luna Island at around 9pm on Monday night (file image of railing)
Means worked as a domestic violence counselor, according to her LinkedIn profile
Witnesses reported seeing people fall into the falls around 9 p.m. Monday, State Trooper James O’Callaghan said in a news release.
Means and his two children are believed to have crossed the “safety guild rail” on Luna Island.
“The investigation has determined that this incident was intentional in nature, although the circumstances remain under investigation,” O’Callaghan said.
New York State Police and Park Police conducted a search and rescue effort, but did not find the family’s bodies.
Authorities are using drones and underwater units in the investigation. as reported by Siracusa.com.
Means’ friends say they are “sorry he didn’t feel he could turn anywhere else.”
Luna Island is a small island between American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, which, along with Horseshoe Falls, make up the popular tourist attraction.
Niagara Falls State Park is managed by the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation and is open to tourists 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
According to the recreation department, more than 8 million people visit the park each year.
Last year, an Illinois mother died and her son survived after she jumped with him from a 90-foot cliff to the icy banks of the Niagara Falls Gorge.