2 children among 3 dead after going over Niagara Falls

Content warning: This story contains details about a potential self-harm incident. A person involved was named by police because there were multiple fatalities in the incident.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two children were among three people killed after they went over Niagara Falls on Monday night, according to New York Park Police.

Police responded to the area of Goat Island around 9 p.m. Monday. Investigators determined that 33-year-old Chaianti Means and her two children, a 9-year-old and a 5-month old, climbed over the safety guard rail on Luna Island and went over the Falls.

Police believe the 9-year-old went first, followed by the two others.

Police said the incident was “intentional in nature, though the circumstances remain under investigation.” Search and rescue efforts were not successful.

All three killed were residents of Niagara Falls.

There is no threat to public safety, police said, and they are working to learn what happened to in the days leading up to the incident.

“Everyone always says, ‘Is there a red flag?’ or ‘Was there a warning?'” said New York State Trooper James O’Callaghan. “We don’t see that here. We don’t see that warning or that red flag or that indicator that would assume that things have taken a very, you know, long-term turn for the worst, so, either something happened suddenly, or — that’s the spotty area that we’re not quite sure right now.”

Police said a vehicle was recovered, along with other personal items, that the three are believed to have arrived in near Luna Island after the incident occurred.

It’s believed that no one else was involved in the incident. O’Callaghan said there is no criminal investigation since there will be no arrests.

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If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, help is available now. Erie County’s Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day: 716-834-3131. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available 24 hours a day: Simply call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. For more information, visit CrisisServices.org.

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