There is a possibility that we may never find a body, Flynn said, adding that Dennis may gotten caught in the jagged rocks near Niagara Falls. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Dennis, 19, was last seen leaving her dorm on April 24. In the meantime, the family of Saniyya Dennis has traveled to Buffalo from New York City, and expressed their frustration Friday over the investigation so far. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much JSCO says if you see the vehicle or the missing women, then please call or text 911, and any information about their whereabouts should go to ECSO Dispatch at 541-776-7206. Investigators said her cellphone left the network about 1:20 a.m. April 25, which means it was either destroyed or powered off. Legal Statement. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen leaving her dorm room at the SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, the University Police Department said in a news release. "I understand the desire for new details about this case is high, but to ensure the integrity of this multi-agency investigation, we are limited in our ability to share further information at this time.". Flynn said Dennis was troubled by the breakup and later contacted another male friend in New York City, also telling him she had planned to commit suicide. Around 12:18 a.m., the male friend warned in a text that he would call police if she did not call him in 30 seconds. "There is a possibility that if we believe what happened happened, we may never find her body," he said. It appears that this poor girl took her own life,Erie County District Attorney John Flynnsaidat a news conferenceThursday morning. Dennis texted her mother at Niagara Falls, telling her she would call her the next day, but also sent a message to a friend indicating she wouldnt see him this coming summer, Flynn said. In fact, we specifically addressed that issue with law enforcement days before Mr. Flynn took over the case, the statement said of the video. (Source: WPXI/ROSS TOWNSHIP POLICE/CNN) Efforts to reach Dennis' family by phone numbers listed for them were unsuccessful Monday. As she was there, she received a text from a friend telling her to call him or else hell call police. Wilson Wong is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News Digital. These dismissive acts caused victim blaming and shaming. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text a crisis counselor at 741741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. "We've never had a missing person case such as this we're experiencing now with Ms. Dennis," Carey said. Some are going to say without a body, do youdefinitelyknow that she took her own life? Flynn continued. My thoughts and prayers remain with Saniyyas family and friends during this difficult time. Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found.. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Marianne Williamson opens long shot 2024 challenge, Officials provide update on fatal fire, cause still, Fix it! Please enter valid email address to continue. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The family also raised issues with the Snapchat post Flynn referenced and suggested it could have been doctored. The family chastised Flynn for putting forth a narrative that was an easy sell without considering alternative scenarios involving foul play. Despite the evidence, the DA said the search for Dennis will continue. Prosecutors say it appears 19-year-old Saniya Dennis took her own life. Cameras last captured 19-year-old Saniyya Dennis leaving her dorm room, last Saturday night THE BRONX, N.Y. The family of Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis, who disappeared from campus two weeks ago, released a scathing statement Friday night refuting the local district attorneys assertion that the Bronx teen died by suicide. / CBS New York. Published Investigators later revealed that Dennis' phone pinged off of a cell tower near Niagara Falls State Park around 1:23 a.m. April 25. FBI JOINS SEARCH FOR MISSING VIRGINIA BOY, 2, LURED FROM CHURCH BY UNKNOWN ABDUCTOR, "Our one and only goal in this investigation is to locate Saniyya and reconnect her with her family. Flynn said she got into an argument with her boyfriend, which ended with him breaking up with her.. Warning: The content may be triggering. Julia Stevens has been searching for Saniyya, Its important to show up as a community and show this family that we care, that we will continue to be out here and we wont stop until we find Saniyya Dennis., #HappeningNow: a search party has gathered near Cave of the Winds in the effort to find missing 19-year-old Buff State student Saniyya Dennis. . The 19-year-old Buff State sophomore was last seen leaving an elevator in her dorm building the night of April 24. If this was somebody else's kid, I think it wouldve happened like this," Calvin Byrd, Dennis's father, said at the news conference. The 19-year-old was last seen on April 24. Anyone with information is asked to contact (716) 878-6333. pic.twitter.com/9saaPYPeOv. The family of a SUNY Buffalo State College student who has been missing since Saturday, April 24 is asking the public for help in finding her. But Flynn says her body may not be able to be recovered. Dennis called her boyfriend, who was in New York City at the time, 59 times in the next several hours, but he didnt pick up. The male friend called Dennis, who picked up and said she was going to jump off a bridge, according to the DA. About 20 minutes after this, she texted a male friend, and said that she spoke with her mom and was on her way back to Buffalo. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? Saniyya, originally from the Bronx in New York City, is described as a Black female who is 5-foot-3,weighs about125 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. Clothing items, a cell phone was found, a bracelet was found all of these could be the utmost importance because we have absolutely no information on what happened to Saniyya Dennis, added Stevens. An Illinois college student who was last seen leaving a residence on Friday night has been found dead. BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A firefighter died inside a burning commercial building in downtown Buffalo, New York, on Wednesday, where a fire and sudden blast sent flames and smoke billowing into the street . 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Campus police are working with a variety of local, state and federal agencies to locate Dennis, according to UPD. "My mother always says shes a creature of habit When she comes to visit my mother in the city or comes to visit our family she lets her know when shes running late or lets her know who shes going to be with, what time she expects to be home.". Moose on the Loose: Battle to become Yankees shortstop, Activist killed in police-involved shooting, Rep. George Santos introduced his first bill in Congress, Pop-up grocery store opens in Greenwich Village, Expert raises awareness about eating disorders, NY Rep. Dan Goldman talks House ethics probe into, What to know about teens and their mental health, Read Across America Day kicks off at NYC bookstore, Womens History Month: Highlighting women in medicine. We've received your submission. Investigators initially said she may have remained in the area or traveled to Yonkers, near New York City, a news release, updated on April 28, said. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Shortly after throwing those personal items away, her bus card was swiped at a nearby bus. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) The case of a missing Buffalo State student continues, it's been more than a week since Saniyya Dennis was last seen. University Police first reported her disappearance on Wednesday and posted her picture on its website and social media pages. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. "She was a good friend, a good person. 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(Courtesy Dennis family) Flynn said on the afternoon of April 24, Dennis got into an argument with her boyfriend in New York City. 4, 2023 at 12:11 PM PST | Updated: moments ago. Ivy Marie Gilbert added, posting it on Facebook is absolutely helpful and stuff but being local, its really helpful to actually get out here and do it.. We will be out here every single day for you until we find you because you deserve that.. Agencies working the case include: New York State Police, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Clearinghouse, NYS Park Police, City of Buffalo Police, City of Niagara Falls Police, Erie County Sheriffs Office, Erie Crime Analysis Center, Erie County District Attorneys Office, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Police, Niagara Regional Police, Amtrak Police, and the United States Secret Service. Dennis, a sophomore at Buffalo State College, disappeared after leaving her dorm on April 24. Mr. Flynn purposefully placed Saniyya in a negative light as though she was a depraved stalker who harassed her boyfriend for attention, the family statement said. Missing Bronx college student Saniyya Dennis (family/officials), by: Lauren Cook, Evan Anstey/WIVB, Mark Sundstrom. Her cellphone last pinged on April 25 at 1:23 a.m. in the area of Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park, police said. Dennis, 19, was last . For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. HANAHAN, S.C. (WCSC) - Police in Hanahan are searching for a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing on Tuesday. She was last seen. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Police say her cell phone was later pinged near Goat Island in Niagara Falls, which is why groups have narrowed their search to that area. No all I can do is present you everything I have.. She also defended the University Police Chief Peter Carey, saying he and his officers have been working tirelessly to locate Saniyya. Missing SUNY Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis. "My daughter is a Black honor roll student at the college and has no tendency of doing nothing, Calvin Byrd, Dennis father, said. M issing for over a week, family and friends continue to search for 19-year-old Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis. About an hour after that phone conversation ended, Dennis threw personal items into a garbage can. A missing New York college student who disappeared last month is believed to have died by suicide, authorities said Thursday. What do the orange, green dots on my iPhone mean? For more information, visit CrisisServices.org. The investigation found no evidence of criminality in the case. John Flynn, the district attorney in Erie County, said officials have not discovered the body of 19-year-old Saniyya Dennis but said "evidence suggests" she took her own life. In that conversation, Dennis said she was going to jump off a bridge. Flynn said dogs searching the area in Niagara Falls State Park lost Dennis' scent near the water's edge. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. But that was not true, according to cell phone records. Dennis family also alleged the college minimized her disappearance as nonurgent conflicting with the district attorneys assertion she died by suicide and accused Flynn of misrepresenting evidence during his news conference, including the video confirming she was in Niagara Falls State Park. After trying to contact him 59 times to no avail, she called another male friend in New York City and talked about killing herself, the DA said. BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There's a tragic update on a missing college student from the Bronx. (Buffalo State College). Her father, a former member of the Harlem-based hip-hop group The Diplomats,used his social media presenceto get the word out about his daughters disappearance. Equally, when she did not return to the campus on Saturday, the school bore a responsibility regarding her safety, the familys statement said. At 12:19 a.m., the male friend called her and they spoke for 45 minutes, Flynn said. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. It is impossible to prove the photo or image is of a person. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. As a father of five, this is difficult.. Multiple agencies have been involved in the search for Dennis, and the search will continue until shes found. She was then spotted by park cameras along a trail at 12:17 a.m. on April 25 Flynn said this was the last time she was seen on video. "Looking at Niagara Falls, the area is just filled with rocks," he said. Thank you to all who have assisted in the search to find Saniyya. She was last seen. Updated: 11:33 PM EDT May 3, 2021 BUFFALO, N.Y. 2 On Your Side continues to ask the tough questions on the search for Saniyya Dennis, the missing Buffalo State student who hasn't been. The teen spent hours on the phone with Dennis and talked her down from her plan at one point, but she apparently followed through on her threat after hopping on a bus to the Niagara Falls Visitor Center. University Police has circulated her information statewide to police agencies and hospitals through the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse. Buffalo State University and its police did not perform a wellness check until almost two calendar days after Saniyyas disappearance and more than a business day after our formal request. MORE | Family of missing Buffalo State student calls for communitys help, offers reward for students whereabouts. THE BRONX, N.Y. The family of Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis, who disappeared from campus two weeks ago, released a scathing statement Friday night refuting the local district. While authorities have not located the 19-year-old's body, they were able to reach that conclusion based on a timeline of her last hours. Authorities and volunteer search teams are still franticly searching for 19-year-old Saniyya Dennis. While the Erie County District Attorneys Office does not typically become involved in missing person cases unless there is evidence of criminality, we assisted in this multi-agency effort to find Saniyya at the request of SUNY Buffalo State College University Police. Julia Stevens, with Allies for Black Justice, organized several search parties in recent days focused on Goat Island, where police said Saniyya's phone last pinged at 1:23 a.m. on April 25, WKBWreported. Why does it take so long to get video footage of buses?. Buffalo State remains in close consultation with and is supporting the Dennis family," Carey said in a statement this weekend. BUFFALO, N.Y. Family and friends of a missing Buffalo State student are hoping that she is found safely. Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found," Carey said in an updated statementreleased Saturday, after family expressed frustration about the pace of the investigation. Dogs were trained to pick up her scent. While authorities have not recovered her body, they believe Dennis died by suicide based on the timeline of her last hours. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Marianne Williamson opens long shot 2024 challenge, Officials provide update on fatal fire, cause still, Fix it! Information can also be shared through the University Police anonymous tip line at (716) 878-3166, or by calling the NYS Missing Persons Clearinghouse at (800) 346-3543. However, Dennis family said on Friday they do not agree with Flynns narrative that she died by suicide and accused the district attorney of sharing details of her case without conferring with them first. During a news conference on Friday, Dennis family members said it was uncharacteristic of her to suddenly disappear. Heres a list of where to volunteer in NYC: Lex Lumpkin talks about new show The Watchful Eye, Debunking food safety myths with a chefs help, Fun, easy Holi-inspired crafts to try with kids, Spot warning signs of teens declining mental health, Simple spring break cocktails to make at home, Patrick Kane to make Rangers debut against Senators, Rangers KAndre Miller suspended 3 games for spitting, Kane incoming? Legal Statement. The Buffalo State College sophomore was last seen leaving her dorm room on April 24th, but. Upon careful review and consideration of the allegations presented by District Attorney Flynn regarding the issues surrounding the disappearance of Saniyya Dennis, we respectfully disagree with his presentation and were shocked by his assertion that he shared information with our family regarding her disappearance and his findings of suicide.. There exists no evidence that it came from Saniyya A person named Keith K posted it via social media days later. Family and supporters of missing Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis have been looking for leads in the case in Niagara Falls. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This story has been shared 106,229 times. "That's a possibility.". She then sent a text telling him she planned to kill herself, Flynn said. Officials: Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis 'took her own life', U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Several minutes later, her phone left her cellular network. Family said she handed in a school assignment before catching a bus to Niagara Falls. Rather, it is nothing more than a black dot shot from a distance. BUFFALO, N.Y. Nearly two weeks after the disappearance of Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis, officials announced Thursday they believe the Bronx teen might have taken her own. Anyone with information is asked to contact Buffalo State Police at (716) 878-6333. It appears this poor girl took her own life, Flynn says. Multiple law enforcement agencies and numerous volunteers were involved in a search for Dennis following her disappearance. I also want to thank the Buffalo State community, members of the media, and residents from Western New York and beyond who have participated in the search and shared information about her case., Buffalo State Counseling Center: (716) 878-4436, Employee Assistance Program (EAP): (716) 878-6699, Reach Out SUNY NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline: 1-844-863-9314, SUNY Crisis Text Line: Text GOT5U to 741-741, Crisis Services of Buffalo (24/7): (716) 834-3131, Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK), option 1, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK), Spectrum Health & Human Services: (716) 710-5172, C.A.R.E.S. MASON COUNTY, Wash. - The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is asking the public for help in finding a missing Indigenous woman considered to be at-risk. At this time, we believe that Saniyya traveled alone from the Buffalo State College campus by NFTA bus to Niagara Falls State Park where the evidence suggests that she took her own life during the early morning hours of Sunday, April 25, 2021. According to investigators, her boyfriend broke up with her that day. Flynn said he provided details of the investigation to Dennis parents Wednesday. That video has not been made public. He is a native of Fremont. The two remained on the phone for several hours before she later told the male friend she had reconsidered. Prosecutors say it appears 19-year-old Saniya Dennis took her own life. She has dark brown hair and brown eyes. Erie Countys Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day: 716-834-3131. She attempted to call him 59 and talked about killing herself, Flynn said. Dennis parents were notified of the investigations findings Wednesday afternoon, the DA said. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen on the SUNY Buffalo State College campus on April 24, the University Police Department (UPD) told CNN. A portion of Rivers Avenue near Hayne Street is blocked off because of the crash . 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Byrd added that there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to his daughter. There has been no cellphone electronic activity since then and no financial activity or other communication with family or friends, Buffalo State Police Chief Peter Carey said. I feel awful for the parents, he said. Julia Stevens, who is part of the activist group, Allies for Black Justice, led a search party Friday and distributed posters around the area of the park where the cellphone ping took place. Hours later, Dennis told a friend she was going to jump off a bridge and took a selfie with Niagara Falls in the background. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Thursday morning, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn provided an update on the disappearance of Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available 24 hours a day: 1-800-273-8255. After talking for about an hour, Dennis later told him she was on the bus returning home, which, according to phone records, the DA said was not true. All of this information was provided to Dennis parents on Wednesday afternoon. She was last seen April 24 leaving her dorm at Buffalo State College. Theyve been placing flyers on any available surface and calling for the publics help. Dennis, of Bronx, New York, is a college sophomore. IE 11 is not supported. This is not like her, Dennis sister said at the press conference Friday, CNN affiliate WKBW reported. Missing students are rare at Buffalo State. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Saniyya Dennis,. A missing 19-year-old from Hopkinton was found dead in a wooded area of Milford on Tuesday, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office said Tuesday evening. She will forever be a member of our Buffalo State family," Conway-Turner added. During a news conference Friday, Dennis' family criticized police for not moving fast enough and stalling a search party. Dennis continued to attempt contacting him, and said she was going to kill herself. Missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis. Mycalia Raine Wilson was last seen at approximately 11:35 p.m. on Tuesday night at the family home, police said. For nearly two weeks, search parties have combed through Niagara Falls in the hopes of finding Saniyya Dennis. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen leaving her dorm room at the SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, the University Police Department said in a news release. In that conversation, she had said she was reconsidering what she said about suicide, and was feeling better than she was earlier. Also missing is 20-year-old Talia Esther Rosenbloom of Eugene, described as 5'7" tall, weighing 140 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. The male friend and Dennis' boyfriend did not immediately report her suspected disappearance, according to the DA. It is unconscionable that he presented a speculative narrative as a factual one by calling a national press conference and falsely asserting he shared his findings with the family.. New pill cuts cholesterol, heart, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold, Ohio derailment tests Sen. 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Dennis walked toward a garbage can on campus and threw away "personal items that would lead someone to believe that she was not returning to the dorm," he said. This was around 11 p.m. Odd, Flynn held his conference days before Mothers Day without any regard for the Dennis family, the statement said. Dennis, who is from the Bronx, is described as 5 feet, 3 inches tall, approximately 125 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. (for youth and family crises): (716) 882-4357. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Investigators believe that she may need medical attention and may still be in the western New York area or may have traveled to Yonkers, New York, just north of New York City. "We combed the whole park, even places where she was nowhere near, putting up flyers," Byrd said on Saturday. "An exhaustive search and review of the evidence has been done and it appears that this poor girl took her own life," Flynn said in a news conference Thursday morning. Erie County District Attorney John Flynn held a news briefing Thursday during which he outlined a timeline of events and evidence that he said led to the conclusion that Dennis took her own life.. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Wilson Wong. Desperate for any leads, her dad, also known as rapper 40 Cal,offered a cash rewardin a caption of one of his Instagram posts. University police are continuing to ask anyone with information to come forward, and Saniyyas family has since offered a $10,000 reward for anything that could help bring her home. Minutes after that, her cell phone left the cellular network, meaning it was either powered off or destroyed. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ET, Dennis was seen leaving her dorm room at State University of New York College at Buffalo. The family accused Buffalo State University, police and Flynns office of not taking Dennis disappearance seriously, including a delay in responding to multiple requests for a wellness check on April 25.