According to the DA, video from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority showed she rode two different buses going toward Niagara Falls. 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. Dennis continued to attempt contacting him, and said she was going to kill herself. 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. In that conversation, Dennis said she was going to jump off a bridge. Striking, his post is a screenshot of what is alleged to be a snapchat from Saniyya. "I think time is of the essence When it happens like this, it's a very time sensitive matter.". The 19-year-old was last seen leaving her dorm late at night on April 24 after having an argument with her boyfriend earlier in the day that led him to break up with her, Flynn said. All rights reserved. She was last seen April 24 leaving her dorm at Buffalo State College. The district attorney and officials indicated they believe Dennis never left Niagara Falls State Park. M issing for over a week, family and friends continue to search for 19-year-old Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis. Around 1:20 a.m, Dennis texted a male friend and lied, saying she had talked to her mother and was on her way back to Buffalo, he said. Yesterday afternoon, members of my office met with the family of Saniyya Dennis to provide an update on the investigation into her disappearance. Authorities and volunteer search teams are still franticly searching for 19-year-old Saniyya Dennis. 2. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. In a statement released earlier in the week, Buff State President Katherine Conway-Turner called Saniyya a lovely young woman with a bright future ahead. Niagara Falls was in the background. If this was somebody else's kid, I think it wouldve happened like this," Calvin Byrd, Dennis's father, said at the news conference. 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. MORE | Family of missing Buffalo State student calls for communitys help, offers reward for students whereabouts. During a news conference Friday, Dennis' family criticized police for not moving fast enough and stalling a search party. 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. 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.. This is not of her nature.. Buffalo State College Police Chief Peter Carey, told reporters that a K-9 search took place Friday afternoon and due to weather conditions they could not fly a helicopter to help with the search. Market data provided by Factset. There is currently no evidence of foul play, authorities said. 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. 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. Saniyya I. Dennis, a Bronx native, was last seen April. Mycalia Raine Wilson was last seen at approximately 11:35 p.m. on Tuesday night at the family home, police said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Authorities are searching for a New York college sophomore who disappeared over a week ago. Latisha Dennis says she will put up. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources. These dismissive acts caused victim blaming and shaming. We've received your submission. NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. On Wednesday community members continued to search for Dennis, a 19-year-old Buffalo State College student. She also spoke about dying by suicide with a male friend, he added. Buffalo State remains in close consultation with and is supporting the Dennis family," Carey said in a statement this weekend. 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. 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. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - North Charleston Police are responding to a crash with serious injuries Saturday afternoon. IE 11 is not supported. 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. University Police said it is working with the family and several other agencies in its search, including the City of Niagara Falls Police, Erie County Sheriffs Office and Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Police. She was a mechanical engineer major. Authorities are continuing their search for a missing New York college student who disappeared more than a week ago. For more information, visit CrisisServices.org. 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. Flynn said she got into an argument with her boyfriend, which ended with him breaking up with her. 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. "It appears that this poor girl took her own life," Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told reporters during a morning news conference. Why does it take so long to get video footage of buses?. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (Source: WPXI/ROSS TOWNSHIP POLICE/CNN) Anyone with information that may be of assistance to the investigation is asked to contact Buffalo States University Police Department at (716) 878-6333 or police@buffalostate.edu. 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. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. It was unclear what the personal items were. IE 11 is not supported. Flynn said investigators will not definitively know what happened to Dennis until her body is found and an autopsy is conducted. 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. "We want to make sure that her face is everywhere," Stevens told ABC Buffalo affiliate WKBW, "that everywhere you go in Niagara Falls you know to look out for this girl.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Equally, when she did not return to the campus on Saturday, the school bore a responsibility regarding her safety, the familys statement said. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Calvin Byrd, Dennis' father, told NBC affiliate WGRZ that the experience was a "nightmare.". 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. Her boyfriend was in New York City the entire time, and is not considered a suspect in her disappearance. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Missing Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis is believed to have taken her own life. Saniyya Dennis, 19, has been missing since Saturday night. No all I can do is present you everything I have.. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text a crisis counselor at 741741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Flynn said he provided details of the investigation to Dennis parents Wednesday. Flynn said all of this information had been communicated to Dennis parents on Wednesday afternoon. 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 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. 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. Contact Crisis Services 24-hour hotline for support: 716-834-3131. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Dennis, of Bronx, New York, is a college sophomore. Discovery Company. The Buffalo State College sophomore was last seen leaving her dorm room on April 24th, but. A college sophomore, Dennis was last seen leaving her dorm on April 24. The district attorney said Dennis had multiple conversations about suicide the day she disappeared and was captured by park cameras inside Niagara Falls State Park that night. May 7, 2021 / 11:13 AM Dennis threw away "personal items" that led investigators to believe she would not return to the dorm and took a bus to Niagara Falls State Park by herself, Flynn said. I feel awful for the parents, he said. "This is not like her. Given these variables and the fact that Saniyyas body has not been discovered, we express great concerns about the handling of this case and the suicide narrative. 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. "Looking at Niagara Falls, the area is just filled with rocks," he said. Missing SUNY Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis. She then sent a text telling him she planned to kill herself, Flynn said. 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. Market data provided by Factset. Saturday, the search for her continued, with family and friends again canvassing Niagara Falls State Park and the surrounding area. The body, believed to be that of a missing Buffalo State College student, was found in a shallow grave Friday morning in a wooded area near Snow's Marina on the Lake Erie shoreline, police said . 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. Officials. Family is offering a $10,000 reward for information about missing 19-year-old Buffalo StateCollegestudent Saniyya Dennis, as searches conducted near Niagara Falls in upstate New York over the weekend turned up empty more than one week after her disappearance. "Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found.". 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. The male friend and Dennis' boyfriend did not immediately report her suspected disappearance, according to the DA. 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. Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found.. They asked Flynn not to use to words committed suicide. He slept on it and chose to say Saniyya took her own life.. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. As NBC News reports, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told reporters during a news conference Thursday morning that he believes Dennis, 19, died of suicide. Saniyya Dennis was last seen on April 24. As a father of five, this is difficult.. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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.. Saniyya Dennis disappeared from SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, officials said. Im so done with my own life, and living it, the text read, according to WIVB. Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? said Dennis father, Calvin Byrd. Saniyya Dennis, 19, is a sophomore who was. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, "She was a good friend, a good person. My office and our partners in law enforcement have found no evidence of any criminality in this case. Saniyya Dennis, a 19-year-old sophomore from the Bronx, was last seen leaving her college dorm on April 24. They stopped picking up the scent near Goat Island, Flynn said. However, cellphone records showed that to not be true. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, help is available. "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.". "Our one and only goal in this investigation is to locate Saniyya and reconnect her with her family," UPD Chief Peter Carey said in a statement on Saturday. 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. All evidence indicates that Saniyya ended her own life, but the investigation into her disappearance will not be closed until she is found. Family and supporters of missing Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis have been looking for leads in the case in Niagara Falls. For nearly two weeks, search parties have combed through Niagara Falls in the hopes of finding Saniyya Dennis. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo State student is still missing, a week after she was last seen on campus. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Later that day, in another conversation with a male friend in New York City, she said she was planning to die by suicide, Flynn said. "If what I believe happened, happened, we may never find the body. Published 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. University Police is working with police agencies at the local, stateand federal level, Carey said. A portion of Rivers Avenue near Hayne Street is blocked off because of the crash . Missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis. 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. A Warner Bros. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Shortly after, Flynn said, she was captured on campus surveillance video leaving her dorm. Officials: Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis 'took her own life', U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Saniyya Dennis, a. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Dennis parents were notified of the investigations findings Wednesday afternoon, the DA said. Erie Countys Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day: 716-834-3131. Her family told police she may be in the Stall Road area, the Hawthorn Suites on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston or . "It appears that this poor [] A Buffalo State College student missing since last month may have thrown herself from Niagara Falls after her boyfriend broke up with her, authorities said Thursday. 2:18 AM EDT, Mon May 3, 2021. "I would ask that our campus and Western New York community keep her family in your thoughts," she said in a statement. This story has been shared 106,229 times. 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. Investigators said her cellphone left the network about 1:20 a.m. April 25, which means it was either destroyed or powered off. With all due respect, a star in the midnight sky is more visible than Saniyya appears in that purported video.. BUFFALO, N.Y. The family of a Buffalo State College student missing since late April will hold a balloon launch Monday to mark her 20th birthday. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo State student is still missing, a week after she was last seen on campus. UPD and campus officials are in close consultation with Saniyyas family and are providing support during this difficult time, the campus police department said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. . BUFFALO, N.Y. Family and friends of a missing Buffalo State student are hoping that she is found safely. "We combed the whole park, even places where she was nowhere near, putting up flyers," Byrd said on Saturday. While authorities have not recovered her body, they believe Dennis died by suicide based on the timeline of her last hours. Dennis had not been in contact with her family, according to Carey. U.S. news Saniyya Dennis, missing Buffalo State College student, took her own life, DA says The 19-year-old was last seen leaving her dorm room at SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24,. Around 1 a.m., the teen took a Snapchat selfie near the Nikola Tesla monument with Niagara Falls in the background, according to Flynn. Dennis parents, multiple agencies and local residents had been involved in anearly two-week searchfor the student. At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case, University Police Department at Buffalo State College, NTSB to investigate in-flight turbulence that left 1 passenger dead, Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico. 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. It appears this poor girl took her own life, Flynn says. Saniyya Dennis, the 19-year-old SUNY Buffalo State College who went missing last month, died by apparent suicide, according to officials. The 19-year-old Buff State sophomore was last seen leaving an elevator in her dorm building the night of April 24. "Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? He is a native of Fremont. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. A ping from her cellphone was detected aboute two hours later inNiagara Falls State Park, 17 miles from campus. Dennis, 19, was. This story has been shared 167,794 times. 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. Milford . February 28, 2023. The college sophomore was last seen around 11 p.m. on April 24 in surveillance footage leaving her residence hall. No evidence of foul play was immediately detected, the University Police Department (UPD) at Buffalo State College said. "The dogs came out yesterday, and today they had the helicopter for the search.". Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. It appears that this poor girl took her own life,Erie County District Attorney John Flynnsaidat a news conferenceThursday morning. Dennis, of Bronx, New York, is a college sophomore. But Flynn says her body may not be able to be recovered. 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. During a news conference on Friday, Dennis family members said it was uncharacteristic of her to suddenly disappear. 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. Browns push to buck Dem, Texas congressman who broke with GOP is censured, Capitol rioter from Buffalo admits to stealing badge, How to donate to the family of the fallen Buffalo, Patriots and Heroes Park vandalized overnight, Questions linger about legal aspects of Main Street, Building that caught fire had expired work permit, First responders honor Firefighter Jason Arno, Buffalo firefighter who died Wednesday identified, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "Those of us who met Saniyya know her as a bright honors student and a beautiful young woman with a big heart and a promising future in her field (mechanical engineering technology). Flynn said she got into an argument with her boyfriend, which ended with him breaking up with her.. 2023 Cable News Network. Why does it take so long to get video footage of buses? Ive finally had enough.. Flynn said on the afternoon of April 24, Dennis got into an argument with her boyfriend in New York City over the phone. She also defended the University Police Chief Peter Carey, saying he and his officers have been working tirelessly to locate Saniyya. Despite the evidence, the DA said the search for Dennis will continue. The 19-year-old was last seen on April 24. Wilson Wong. The 19-year-old was last seen leaving her dorm room at SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, authorities said. BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There's a tragic update on a missing college student from the Bronx. / CBS News. Multiple agencies have been involved in the search for Dennis, and the search will continue until shes found. Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College student, has been missing since she was captured on surveillance video leaving her residence hall on April 24. Byrd added that there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to his daughter. Thank you to all who have assisted in the search to find Saniyya. Investigators later revealed that Dennis' phone pinged off of a cell tower near Niagara Falls State Park around 1:23 a.m. April 25. UPD described Dennis as a 5 feet, 3 inches tall Black woman weighing 125 pounds. She has a good heart.. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace. Thats where a search party gathered early Wednesday evening in the latest hopes to find the young woman. 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! 14. Efforts to reach Dennis family at phone numbers listed for them were unsuccessful Thursday. Around Midnight, Dennis texted her mother, telling her she loves her and that shell call her the next day. Wilson Wong is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News Digital. The crash was reported around 2:30 p.m. near Trident Tech on Rivers Avenue. 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.. Several minutes later, her phone left her cellular network. BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There's a tragic update on a missing college student from the Bronx. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. In the meantime, volunteers, friends and family have formed search parties to help find Dennis. She attempted to call him 59 and talked about killing herself, Flynn said. A missing New York college student who disappeared last month is believed to have died by suicide, authorities said Thursday. Just before the news conference ended, the police acknowledged they had security video from the bus depot that showed Dennis and they were only able to get her cellphone records on April 27. 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. Around 1 a.m., Dennis took a Snapchat selfie near the Nikola Tesla monument. Shortly after throwing those personal items away, her bus card was swiped at a nearby bus. 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. appreciated. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Dennis, 19, was last seen on April 24 leaving her residence hall around 11:30 p.m., according to University Police. The last time Dennis was seen on video was around 12:17 a.m. She was seen on park cameras on the bridge along Goat Island Road. Hours later, Dennis told a friend she was going to jump off a bridge and took a selfie with Niagara Falls in the background. Prosecutors say Dennis' boyfriend was in New York City at the time and is not a suspect. "My daughter is a Black honor roll student at the college and has no tendency of doing nothing, Calvin Byrd, Dennis father, said.