All Rights Reserved. As she was there, she received a text from a friend telling her to call him or else hell call police. 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. She will forever be a member of our Buffalo State family," Conway-Turner added. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Flynn said on the afternoon of April 24, Dennis got into an argument with her boyfriend in New York City over the phone. Calvin Byrd, Dennis' father, told NBC affiliate WGRZ that the experience was a "nightmare.". Saniyya Dennis, missing Buffalo State College student, took her own Published 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. "An exhaustive search and review of the evidence has. "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.". On the first bus, Flynn said Dennis was alone, but she eventually got onto another bus and got off at a stop near the Niagara Falls Visitor Center. Saniyya Dennis, 19, is a sophomore who was. or redistributed. 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. In that conversation, Dennis said she was going to jump off a bridge. (Source: WPXI/ROSS TOWNSHIP POLICE/CNN) Anyone with information is asked to contact (716) 878-6333. pic.twitter.com/9saaPYPeOv. "It appears that this poor girl took her own life," Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told reporters during a morning news conference. Dennis parents were notified of the investigations findings Wednesday afternoon, the DA said. However, cellphone records showed that to not be true. Dennis, a sophomore at Buffalo State College, disappeared after leaving her dorm on April 24. . The family of Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College sophomore who's been missing for over a week, pleaded with authorities and the public to help them in their search. 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. 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. The two remained on the phone for several hours before she later told the male friend she had reconsidered. She attempted to call him 59 and talked about killing herself, Flynn said. "Temple's current leadership has consistently treated it as a PR problem first, safety second, and I think they have their priorities backward," said Brian Hart, a 2012 Temple graduate. Saniyya Dennis: Missing Buffalo State college student from the Bronx May 3 (UPI) --Local, federal and collegiate authorities are ramping up efforts to find a student from New York state who's now been missing for more than a week, officials said Monday.Buffalo . A large group of volunteers searched for Dennis over the weekend at Niagara Falls State Park near Goat Island, where police said her phone last pinged, the station reported. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. Missing students are rare at Buffalo State. The district attorney and officials indicated they believe Dennis never left Niagara Falls State Park. Dennis parents, multiple agencies and local residents had been involved in anearly two-week searchfor the student. Legal Statement. BUFFALO, N.Y. Family and friends of a missing Buffalo State student are hoping that she is found safely. Dennis, who is from the Bronx, is described as 5 feet, 3 inches tall, approximately 125 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. "I would ask that our campus and Western New York community keep her family in your thoughts," she said in a statement. "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). You can watch DA Flynns full news conference below. My office and our partners in law enforcement have found no evidence of any criminality in this case. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? The teens parents, meanwhile, had demanded answers last week on why more wasnt being done to find the missing mechanical engineering major, the Buffalo News reported. Equally, when she did not return to the campus on Saturday, the school bore a responsibility regarding her safety, the familys statement said. Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? said Dennis father, Calvin Byrd. 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. The 19-year-old Buff State sophomore was last seen leaving an elevator in her dorm building the night of April 24. 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.. Missing Hopkinton teen found dead in Milford woods Investigators later revealed that Dennis' phone pinged off of a cell tower near Niagara Falls State Park around 1:23 a.m. April 25. Missing New York College Student Died by Apparent Suicide: Officials What do the orange, green dots on my iPhone mean? In fact, we specifically addressed that issue with law enforcement days before Mr. Flynn took over the case, the statement said of the video. CNN Authorities are searching for a New York college sophomore who disappeared over a week ago. Striking, his post is a screenshot of what is alleged to be a snapchat from Saniyya. 14. N.Y., federal police search for college student Saniyya Dennis, who Search continues for missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis 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.. Investigators said her cellphone left the network about 1:20 a.m. April 25, which means it was either destroyed or powered off. Missing Buffalo State College student presumed dead: DA - New York Post Multiple agencies have been involved in the search for Dennis, and the search will continue until shes found. A ping from her cellphone was detected aboute two hours later inNiagara Falls State Park, 17 miles from campus. In the meantime, volunteers, friends and family have formed search parties to help find Dennis. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Hours later, Dennis told a friend she was going to jump off a bridge and took a selfie with Niagara Falls in the background. Flynn said investigators will not definitively know what happened to Dennis until her body is found and an autopsy is conducted. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. IE 11 is not supported. Prosecutors say Dennis' boyfriend was in New York City at the time and is not a suspect. Around 1 a.m., Dennis took a Snapchat selfie near the Nikola Tesla monument. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen leaving her dorm room at the SUNY Buffalo State College more than a week ago on April 24, authorities said. Please enter valid email address to continue. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. His screenshot of her alleged storyline is not dated and has no time, video or chat from her, the family statement said. "We've never had a missing person case such as this we're experiencing now with Ms. Dennis," Carey said. This story has been shared 167,794 times. 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. Missing Buffalo State Student Saniya Dennis Appears To Have Taken Her 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. Woman'S Body Found in Woods May Be Buffalo State Student If this was somebody else's kid, I think it wouldve happened like this," Calvin Byrd, Dennis's father, said at the news conference. 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. Courtney Gabamonte has also been helping in the search, she tells us, being a woman and having a girl missing is just heartbreaking so why not come out and help look if were not far from where she might be found?. Family pleads to police, public for help in finding missing Buffalo Theyve been placing flyers on any available surface and calling for the publics help. "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.". About 11 p.m. 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 19-year-old SUNY Buffalo State College sophomore has been missing for more than a week, according to the university and her family. Her father, Calvin Byrd, has since traveled to Niagara Falls to search for his daughter. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. BUFFALO, New York (WABC) -- Police and family are searching for a missing SUNY Buffalo State College student from the Bronx who has been missing for more than a week. Despite the evidence, the DA said the search for Dennis will continue. Family said she handed in a school assignment before catching a bus to Niagara Falls. February 28, 2023. Vandergrift is a radio host for Wild 94.9, where Yi is a host as well. Market data provided by Factset. Family and supporters of missing Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis have been looking for leads in the case in Niagara Falls. Erie Countys Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day: 716-834-3131. Katherine Conway-Turner, the president of Buffalo State College, expressed her support to Dennis' friends and family on Thursday. 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. 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. 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. 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. Buffalo State University Police says. Saniyya Dennis, a 19-year-old sophomore from the Bronx, was last seen leaving her college dorm on April 24. "There is a possibility that if we believe what happened happened, we may never find her body," he said. Family of missing Buffalo State student to hold birthday balloon launch Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "The dogs came out yesterday, and today they had the helicopter for the search.". Milford . Campus police are working with a variety of local, state and federal agencies to locate Dennis, according to UPD. If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, there is help. 2:18 AM EDT, Mon May 3, 2021. 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. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. An Illinois college student who was last seen leaving a residence on Friday night has been found dead. Prosecutors say it appears 19-year-old Saniya Dennis took her own life. She also defended the University Police Chief Peter Carey, saying he and his officers have been working tirelessly to locate Saniyya. 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. According to the WSP, 49-year-old Denell Kelly . Wilson Wong is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News Digital. Her family members reported her missing to Buffalo State police on April 26, which prompted a widespread investigation. All of this information was provided to Dennis parents on Wednesday afternoon. Updated: 9:14 AM EDT May 6, 2021. 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. "That's a possibility.". Continued search for missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis - WGRZ 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. Carey said during a news conference Friday that investigators have found no cell phone, electronic or financial activity since Dennis disappeared. All evidence indicates that Saniyya ended her own life, but the investigation into her disappearance will not be closed until she is found. The search continues for missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo State student is still missing, a week after she was last seen on campus. "Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found.". 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. 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. Buffalo firefighter dies while battling downtown blaze - ABC News Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. A Pennsylvania woman who has been missing for more than 30 years is found alive in an adult care home in Puerto Rico. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. 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. DA: Missing Buff State student appears to have died of suicide Warning: The content may be triggering. Saniyya Dennis, missing Buffalo State College student, took her own Legal Statement. This was around 11 p.m. Flynn said she got into an argument with her boyfriend, which ended with him breaking up with her.. 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! Minutes after that text, her cellphone left the cellular network, meaning it was either powered off or destroyed, according to officials. "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. She was a mechanical engineer major. I feel awful for the parents, he said. May 7, 2021 / 11:13 AM Public's help sought in finding missing SUNY Buffalo State student Around Midnight, Dennis texted her mother, telling her she loves her and that shell call her the next day. About an hour after that phone conversation ended, Dennis threw personal items into a garbage can. This story has been shared 106,229 times. 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. The family told reporters that they were alerted by one of Dennis' friends that she may have gotten on a bus to Niagara Park. 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. Flynn said all of this information had been communicated to Dennis parents on Wednesday afternoon. FIRST ALERT: N. Charleston Police respond to crash near Trident Tech It is impossible to prove the photo or image is of a person. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. In that conversation, she had said she was reconsidering what she said about suicide, and was feeling better than she was earlier. IE 11 is not supported. We will be out here every single day for you until we find you because you deserve that.. NFTA, Buffalo State Police not releasing NFTA video of Saniyya - WGRZ It appears this poor girl took her own life, Flynn says. Authorities and volunteer search teams are still franticly searching for 19-year-old Saniyya Dennis. 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. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. 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. 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. (for youth and family crises): (716) 882-4357. 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. 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. All rights reserved. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, CVS offering on-site mental health services, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Patrick Mahomes' brother accused of assault, forcibly kissing owner at bar, Sick trolls leak gruesome Maggie Murdaugh autopsy photo after it was accidentally shown on livestream, Alex Murdaugh shaves head for latest mugshot after learning his fate for killing his wife, son, Prince Harry says hes not a victim: I never looked for sympathy, Allison Holker pens touching note to kids after Stephen tWitch Boss death, Heather Dubrows youngest child, 12, comes out as transgender, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, March 4, 1984: Martina Navratilova defeats Chris Evert at MSG, Tom Sandoval breaks silence on Ariana Madix split amid cheating claims. (Buffalo State College). Dennis, a sophomore at Buffalo State College, disappeared after leaving her dorm on April 24. Contact Crisis Services 24-hour hotline for support: 716-834-3131. Anyone with information is asked to contact Buffalo State Police at (716) 878-6333. A portion of Rivers Avenue near Hayne Street is blocked off because of the crash . 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. The family also raised issues with the Snapchat post Flynn referenced and suggested it could have been doctored. She was last seen. She was last seen April 24 leaving her dorm at Buffalo State College. He added authorities may never find her body because of the rocks below the area where her scent was last picked up. Authorities are searching for a New York college sophomore who disappeared over a week ago. Several minutes later, her phone left her cellular network. Saniyya Dennis disappeared from SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, officials said. 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. Family said Saniyya is an honor student studying mechanical engineering. Market data provided by Factset. The day she disappeared,Dennishad an argument with her boyfriend that led to him breaking up with her,Flynnsaid. Investigators initially said Dennis may have been in the Western New York area or traveled to Yonkers, just north of the Bronx. Missing woman found alive after more than 30 years; family reacts We've received your submission. Saniyya Dennis, the New York college student who disappeared last month, died by apparent suicide, officials said Thursday. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. 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. "We combed the whole park, even places where she was nowhere near, putting up flyers," Byrd said on Saturday. The Buffalo State College sophomore was last seen leaving her dorm room on April 24th, but. She has a good heart.. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found.. She was very focused on her studies, she said. The family of a Buffalo State College student missing since last weekend has put up a $10,000 reward for information that leads to her safe return. Saniyya was last seen leaving her dorm. Wife of missing Wild 94.9 morning show host 'JV' shares update Around 1 a.m., the teen took a Snapchat selfie near the Nikola Tesla monument with Niagara Falls in the background, according to Flynn. 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.. All rights reserved. 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. I feel awful that I dont have a conclusion, obviously..