missing buffalo state student found

Latisha Dennis says she will put up. A 19-year-old SUNY Buffalo State College sophomore has been missing for more than a week, according to the university and her family. 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.. Flynn said on the afternoon of April 24, Dennis got into an argument with her boyfriend in New York City over the phone. A ping from her cellphone was detected aboute two hours later inNiagara Falls State Park, 17 miles from campus. Dogs were trained to pick up her scent. 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. 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. Saniyya Dennis was last seen on April 24. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The statement challenged or refuted more than a dozen assertions laid out by Flynn during his news conference. 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. 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. "My daughter is a Black honor roll student at the college and has no tendency of doing nothing, Calvin Byrd, Dennis father, said. NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. On Wednesday community members continued to search for Dennis, a 19-year-old Buffalo State College student. 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. About an hour after that phone conversation ended, Dennis threw personal items into a garbage can. "This is not like her. 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. (Buffalo State College). 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. "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.". 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. According to the WSP, 49-year-old Denell Kelly . Niagara Falls was in the background. According to the DA, video from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority showed she rode two different buses going toward Niagara Falls. Dennis, 19, was last . 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. 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! In that conversation, she had said she was reconsidering what she said about suicide, and was feeling better than she was earlier. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. With all due respect, a star in the midnight sky is more visible than Saniyya appears in that purported video.. "It appears that this poor girl took her own life," Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told reporters during a morning news conference. February 28, 2023. ET, Dennis was seen leaving her dorm room at State University of New York College at Buffalo. "I would ask that our campus and Western New York community keep her family in your thoughts," she said in a statement. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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 feel awful that I dont have a conclusion, obviously.. "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.". As she was there, she received a text from a friend telling her to call him or else hell call police. 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. Cameras last captured 19-year-old Saniyya Dennis leaving her dorm room, last Saturday night University Police is working with police agencies at the local, stateand federal level, Carey said. 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. Striking, his post is a screenshot of what is alleged to be a snapchat from Saniyya. "An exhaustive search and review of the evidence has. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. IE 11 is not supported. Multiple agencies have been involved in the search for Dennis, and the search will continue until shes found. In that conversation, Dennis said she was going to jump off a bridge. Saniyya Dennis,. According to investigators, her boyfriend broke up with her that day. All rights reserved. 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. 4, 2023 at 12:11 PM PST | Updated: moments ago. 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,. Efforts to reach Dennis family at phone numbers listed for them were unsuccessful Thursday. Odd, Flynn held his conference days before Mothers Day without any regard for the Dennis family, the statement said. Saniyya Dennis, a. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available 24 hours a day: 1-800-273-8255. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Dennis, a sophomore at Buffalo State College, disappeared after leaving her dorm on April 24. Saniyya Dennis, 19, has been missing since Saturday night. The investigation found no evidence of criminality in the case. This story has been shared 167,794 times. Around 1 a.m., Dennis took a Snapchat selfie near the Nikola Tesla monument. 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. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo State student is still missing, a week after she was last seen on campus. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The Buffalo State College sophomore was last seen leaving her dorm room on April 24th, but. Saniyya Dennis, 19, is a sophomore who was. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text a crisis counselor at 741741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. "Looking at Niagara Falls, the area is just filled with rocks," he said. The male friend called Dennis, who picked up and said she was going to jump off a bridge, according to the DA. "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.". 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.. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Investigators initially said Dennis may have been in the Western New York area or traveled to Yonkers, just north of the Bronx. Shortly after throwing those personal items away, her bus card was swiped at a nearby bus. 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. UPD described Dennis as a 5 feet, 3 inches tall Black woman weighing 125 pounds. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, help is available. 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. The family told reporters that they were alerted by one of Dennis' friends that she may have gotten on a bus to Niagara Park. 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. 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 college sophomore was last seen around 11 p.m. on April 24 in surveillance footage leaving her residence hall. A Warner Bros. No evidence of foul play was immediately detected, the University Police Department (UPD) at Buffalo State College said. Buffalo State remains in close consultation with and is supporting the Dennis family," Carey said in a statement this weekend. Published: Mar. Anyone with information is asked to contact Buffalo State Police at (716) 878-6333. 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. 2:18 AM EDT, Mon May 3, 2021. Buffalo State Police said it obtained surveillance footage of Saniyya at the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) bus terminal in downtown Buffalo, WGRZ reported. 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, police said. She was a mechanical engineer major. You can watch DA Flynns full news conference below. Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? said Dennis father, Calvin Byrd. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. (Courtesy Dennis family) Flynn said on the afternoon of April 24, Dennis got into an argument with her boyfriend in New York City. She was by herself. 2. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. A portion of Rivers Avenue near Hayne Street is blocked off because of the crash . 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. 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. I feel awful for the parents, he said. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Saniyya was last seen leaving her dorm. Saniyya Dennis, a 19-year-old sophomore from the Bronx, was last seen leaving her college dorm on April 24. Anyone with information about the search for Vandergrift is asked to call SFPD Tip Line at 415-575 . Hours later, Dennis told a friend she was going to jump off a bridge and took a selfie with Niagara Falls in the background. Mycalia Raine Wilson was last seen at approximately 11:35 p.m. on Tuesday night at the family home, police said. "The dogs came out yesterday, and today they had the helicopter for the search.". Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. An Illinois college student who was last seen leaving a residence on Friday night has been found dead. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Authorities in New York believe that a missing Buffalo State University sophomore took her own life, but investigators have not found Saniyya Dennis' body. Missing Bronx college student Saniyya Dennis (family/officials), by: Lauren Cook, Evan Anstey/WIVB, Mark Sundstrom. 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. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. Published Her family told police she may be in the Stall Road area, the Hawthorn Suites on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston or . HANAHAN, S.C. (WCSC) - Police in Hanahan are searching for a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing on Tuesday. Dennis Family via Buffalo State University Police, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen leaving her dorm room at the SUNY Buffalo . 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. "I can't leave if I didn't say I looked at every inch of this park," he told "Good Morning America." 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.. My thoughts and prayers remain with Saniyyas family and friends during this difficult time. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Vandergrift is a radio host for Wild 94.9, where Yi is a host as well. "Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found. @DAErieCountyNY says #saniyyadennis parents are unaccepting their daughter committed suicide. Updated: 9:14 AM EDT May 6, 2021. 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. For nearly two weeks, search parties have combed through Niagara Falls in the hopes of finding Saniyya Dennis. Dennis, who is from the Bronx, is described as 5 feet, 3 inches tall, approximately 125 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. Saniyya I. Dennis, a Bronx native, was last seen April. IE 11 is not supported. It appears that this poor girl took her own life,Erie County District Attorney John Flynnsaidat a news conferenceThursday morning. 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. CNN Authorities are searching for a New York college sophomore who disappeared over a week ago. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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 last seen leaving her . No all I can do is present you everything I have.. 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. In the middle of that day, Flynn says Dennis had been in an argument with her boyfriend that ended with him breaking up with her. Wilson Wong is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News Digital. Carey said during a news conference Friday that investigators have found no cell phone, electronic or financial activity since Dennis disappeared. Shortly after, Flynn said, she was captured on campus surveillance video leaving her dorm. "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. Katherine Conway-Turner, the president of Buffalo State College, expressed her support to Dennis' friends and family on Thursday. ", Saniyya worked two jobs. If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, there is help. Her family members reported her missing to Buffalo State police on April 26, which prompted a widespread investigation. 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. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - North Charleston Police are responding to a crash with serious injuries Saturday afternoon. Missing students are rare at Buffalo State. "That's a possibility.". She also spoke about dying by suicide with a male friend, he added. 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 . University Police has circulated her information statewide to police agencies and hospitals through the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse. 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. Dennis was last seen on New York State Park Police cameras shortly after midnight walking toward Goat Island, where her phone last pinged, Flynn said. Dennis continued to attempt contacting him, and said she was going to kill herself. / CBS New York. 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. (Buffalo State College) Her. Officials. "It appears that this poor [] Saniyya was last seen leaving her dorm on Buffalo States campus on April 24, but her cell phone was later pinged near Goat Island in Niagara Falls. She attempted to call him 59 and talked about killing herself, Flynn said. Dennis had not been in contact with her family, according to Carey. "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). Saturday, the search for her continued, with family and friends again canvassing Niagara Falls State Park and the surrounding area. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College student, has been missing since she was captured on surveillance video leaving her residence hall on April 24. The two remained on the phone for several hours before she later told the male friend she had reconsidered. She then sent a text telling him she planned to kill herself, Flynn said. 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. "Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? UPD and campus officials are in close consultation with Saniyyas family and are providing support during this difficult time, the campus police department said. But that was not true, according to cell phone records. In the meantime, volunteers, friends and family have formed search parties to help find Dennis. It appears this poor girl took her own life, Flynn says. He then called her, and they spoke for about 45 minutes. The family also raised issues with the Snapchat post Flynn referenced and suggested it could have been doctored. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @danimwallace. Did you encounter any technical issues? That evening, Dennis and her friend stayed on the phone together for about four hours. 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 [email protected].