Filicide, the act of killing one’s children is one of the most societally frowned upon crimes. A woman from the US did just this and the case has gone viral globally.
Chianti Means was a 33-year-old woman who lived in the city of Niagara Falls, which is in the state of New York.
On October 28, Means plunged into the famous waterfall, from the overlook of Luna Island, dying by suicide and killing two her children, a five-month-old infant and nine-year-old boy.
However, authorities have not been able to find their bodies.
“The investigation has determined that this incident was intentional in nature, though the circumstances remain under investigation. New York State Park Police and State Police search/rescue efforts were conducted with negative results,” said local authorities.
As the story made waves on social media, netizens (internet users) found worrying posts by Means before her death.
“I wish someone would love me because the man that’s suppose to does not,” Means posted under the user name Diamond Scott on Facebook.
In another post, she urged people to love the people in their lives as they may lose them at any moment.
Talking to the New York Post, Means’ cousin, said the woman was suffering from postpartum depression. “Understand this, postpartum depression is very real and needs a cure. Her death was not over a man. My cousin was silently fighting depression alone,” she was quoted as saying.
She told the news outlet that her cousin had a beautiful soul and that she loved her children and her family. “I never had a bad memory with her. She was so full of life and wisdom. She and her kids will be missed so much,” she told the New York Post.
IOL