Chianti Means, a 33-year-old New York mother, and her two kids, including a 5-month-old, were recently found dead after allegedly leaping off Niagara Falls on the night of October 28, 2024.
Authorities reported that on Monday night, at around 9 p.m., Chianti Means and her children went over the guardrail on Luna Island, between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.
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The New York State Police reported that the investigation established that the incident was an intentional act. There were many speculations surrounding the reason for this "intentional" incident; however, it has recently come to the surface that Chianti Means had been suffering from postpartum depression, which is believed to have caused this incident.
Chianti Means' cousin opens up about the tragic incident
In a recent interview with the New York Post, Means' cousin, Bierre Hamilton, revealed that Means did not end her life "over a man," as the speculations were suggesting on social media, but "she was silently fighting depression alone."
Means had graduated from school in nearby Buffalo and was reportedly working as a domestic violence counselor. According to her Facebook posts, Means, along with her two kids, 9-year-old Roman and infant Mecca, were residents of Niagara Falls. She gave birth to her younger child around five months ago, shortly after which Means and the infant's father called off their relationship.
"My cousin had a beautiful soul. She loved her children and her family very much. I never had a bad memory with her...so full of life and wisdom..she and her kids will be missed so much." Hamilton added, "understand this..postpartum [depression] is very real and needs a cure."
A friend named Amanda Roberts-Conrad spoke to The U.S. Sun about the loss of her friend and stated,
"Diamond [Chianti Means] was kind and beautiful. I will remember her as such."
Furthermore, she stated the necessity of mental health awareness by saying,
"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 is gut-wrenching. It really is a terrible loss."
Another friend, Kayshawna Morgane, paid her tribute as she wrote on Facebook,
"I have been speechless and crying and couldn't sleep at all. My heart is broken. Mental health is no joke."
Although their bodies have not been recovered yet, the state police are searching tirelessly to locate their bodies. According to the Niagara Falls Police Department, the New York State Police, the New York State Park Police Unnamed Aircraft Systems, the NYSPP Marine Patrol, the NYSP Aviation, the Underwater Recovery Unit, and Niagara Charter Schools are assisting in this investigation.
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