If this was somebody else's kid, I think it wouldve happened like this," Calvin Byrd, Dennis's father, said at the news conference. All rights reserved. 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. According to the DA, video from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority showed she rode two different buses going toward Niagara Falls. "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.". Anyone with information is asked to contact Buffalo State Police at (716) 878-6333. Saniyya I. Dennis, a Bronx native, was last seen April. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Legal Statement. Around 1 a.m., Dennis took a Snapchat selfie near the Nikola Tesla monument. 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. The investigation found no evidence of criminality in the case. No evidence of foul play was immediately detected, the University Police Department (UPD) at Buffalo State College said. 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. We will be out here every single day for you until we find you because you deserve that.. Several minutes later, her phone left her cellular network. "It appears that this poor girl took her own life," Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told reporters during a morning news conference. The male friend called Dennis, who picked up and said she was going to jump off a bridge, according to the DA. While authorities have not recovered her body, they believe Dennis died by suicide based on the timeline of her last hours. 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. Prosecutors say it appears 19-year-old Saniya Dennis took her own life. A college sophomore, Dennis was last seen leaving her dorm on April 24. As she was there, she received a text from a friend telling her to call him or else hell call police. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen on the SUNY Buffalo State College campus on April 24, the. 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. Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. Her boyfriend was in New York City the entire time, and is not considered a suspect in her disappearance. Missing students are rare at Buffalo State. The statement challenged or refuted more than a dozen assertions laid out by Flynn during his news conference. The 19-year-old was last seen leaving her dorm room at SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, authorities said. She also defended the University Police Chief Peter Carey, saying he and his officers have been working tirelessly to locate Saniyya. You can watch DA Flynns full news conference below. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Carey said during a news conference Friday that investigators have found no cell phone, electronic or financial activity since Dennis disappeared. Family said Saniyya is an honor student studying mechanical engineering. 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? (Source: WPXI/ROSS TOWNSHIP POLICE/CNN) Why does it take so long to get video footage of buses?. We've received your submission. Theyve been placing flyers on any available surface and calling for the publics help. 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. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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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. Wilson Wong is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News Digital. 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. But Flynn says her body may not be able to be recovered. They asked Flynn not to use to words committed suicide. He slept on it and chose to say Saniyya took her own life.. Buffalo State remains in close consultation with and is supporting the Dennis family," Carey said in a statement this weekend. NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. On Wednesday community members continued to search for Dennis, a 19-year-old Buffalo State College student. Family said she handed in a school assignment before catching a bus to Niagara Falls. She also texted her friend, saying she wouldnt see him this summer. She has dark brown hair and brown eyes. May 8, 2021 / 8:30 AM Thats where a search party gathered early Wednesday evening in the latest hopes to find the young woman. Market data provided by Factset. He then called her, and they spoke for about 45 minutes. University Police has circulated her information statewide to police agencies and hospitals through the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse. 2:18 AM EDT, Mon May 3, 2021. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available 24 hours a day: 1-800-273-8255. 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. 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. In fact, we specifically addressed that issue with law enforcement days before Mr. Flynn took over the case, the statement said of the video. During a news conference on Friday, Dennis family members said it was uncharacteristic of her to suddenly disappear. She then sent a text telling him she planned to kill herself, Flynn said. 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. 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. Niagara Falls was in the background. All evidence indicates that Saniyya ended her own life, but the investigation into her disappearance will not be closed until she is found. Julia Stevens went on to say, If Saniyya is out there and shes watching these efforts, if shes in danger or incapacitated we would say dont give up hope, we are leaving no stone unturned. 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. Shortly after, Flynn said, she was captured on campus surveillance video leaving her dorm. "An exhaustive search and review of the evidence has. Flynn said she got into an argument with her boyfriend, which ended with him breaking up with her.. This is not like her, Dennis sister said at the press conference Friday, CNN affiliate WKBW reported. "If what I believe happened, happened, we may never find the body. Bloodhounds later picked up the teens scent during an April 30 search on and around Goat Island, Flynn said, where she was seen on video early April 25. 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. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen on the SUNY Buffalo State College campus on April 24, the University Police Department (UPD) told CNN. 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. Byrd added that there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to his daughter. During a news conference Friday, Dennis' family criticized police for not moving fast enough and stalling a search party. University Police first reported her disappearance on Wednesday and posted her picture on its website and social media pages. Yesterday afternoon, members of my office met with the family of Saniyya Dennis to provide an update on the investigation into her disappearance. 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. "It appears that this poor [] Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. We're all baffled as to what's going on., Keyora Dennis, Dennis' sister, said this was "not of her nature. The family told reporters that they were alerted by one of Dennis' friends that she may have gotten on a bus to Niagara Park. Dennis, 19, was. 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. 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. 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. IE 11 is not supported. Equally, when she did not return to the campus on Saturday, the school bore a responsibility regarding her safety, the familys statement said. 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. The family demanded a federal investigation by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. A missing New York college student who disappeared last month is believed to have died by suicide, authorities said Thursday. She was a mechanical engineer major. NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) People in Western New York are not giving up their search for Saniyya Dennis, the college student who went missing last week. 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. BUFFALO, N.Y. Family and friends of a missing Buffalo State student are hoping that she is found safely. Dennis, 19, was last seen leaving her dorm on April 24. "She was a good friend, a good person. 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! "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. Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? said Dennis father, Calvin Byrd. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Dennis, 19, was last . This was around 11 p.m. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. "Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found. 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. Her father, Calvin Byrd, has since traveled to Niagara Falls to search for his daughter. Dont Ditch it: free repair event held, Funeral arrangements announced for fallen firefighter, Live Traffic Map Sponsored by The Barnes Firm, Bills ranked as 9th-best team to play for: NFLPA, Sabres add F Jordan Greenway at trade deadline, Where to get a fish fry in Buffalo in 2023, Tim Hortons app-based Roll Up to Win returns Monday, Turning back the pages on the history of Bethel AME, Underground Railroad has long history in Niagara, Important FAQ for WIVB/WNLO Antenna Viewers, Community comes together to continue the search for, Mayor Brown meets with the family of missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis, Ukraine: Mourners commemorate 8 men killed in Bucha, 1 killed when business jet encounters severe turbulence, Cant take statins? "I think time is of the essence When it happens like this, it's a very time sensitive matter.". With all due respect, a star in the midnight sky is more visible than Saniyya appears in that purported video.. 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. 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. The college sophomore was last seen around 11 p.m. on April 24 in surveillance footage leaving her residence hall. That evening, Dennis and her friend stayed on the phone together for about four hours. "That's a possibility.". 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. Officials. "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. Missing Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis is believed to have taken her own life. Missing Bronx college student Saniyya Dennis (family/officials), by: Lauren Cook, Evan Anstey/WIVB, Mark Sundstrom. Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College student, has been missing since she was captured on surveillance video leaving her residence hall on April 24. "We combed the whole park, even places where she was nowhere near, putting up flyers," Byrd said on Saturday. Anyone with information about the search for Vandergrift is asked to call SFPD Tip Line at 415-575 . Saniyya Dennis, the New York college student who disappeared last month, died by apparent suicide, officials said Thursday. 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. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace. Despite the evidence, the DA said the search for Dennis will continue. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Published: Mar. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Investigators later revealed that Dennis' phone pinged off of a cell tower near Niagara Falls State Park around 1:23 a.m. April 25. The 19-year-old Buff State sophomore was last seen leaving an elevator in her dorm building the night of April 24. Saturday, the search for her continued, with family and friends again canvassing Niagara Falls State Park and the surrounding area. (for youth and family crises): (716) 882-4357. (Buffalo State College). Ive finally had enough.. 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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. For more information, visit CrisisServices.org. 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. 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. IE 11 is not supported. Did you encounter any technical issues? Market data provided by Factset. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. UPD described Dennis as a 5 feet, 3 inches tall Black woman weighing 125 pounds. 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. Multiple agencies have been involved in the search for Dennis, and the search will continue until shes found. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Dennis, 19, was last seen on April 24 leaving her residence hall around 11:30 p.m., according to University Police. 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. 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. 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. 4, 2023 at 12:11 PM PST | Updated: moments ago. Phillys zombie drug tranq already in NYC, How to report no heat in NYC: Resources for tenants, Rising rent in NYC: Heres what tenants need to know, Suicide prevention and mental health resources, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Dennis parents were notified of the investigations findings Wednesday afternoon, the DA said. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text a crisis counselor at 741741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. He added authorities may never find her body because of the rocks below the area where her scent was last picked up. Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College student, has been missing since she was captured on surveillance video leaving her residence hall on April 24. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. Wilson Wong. 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. Flynn said he provided details of the investigation to Dennis parents Wednesday. Calvin Byrd, Dennis' father, told NBC affiliate WGRZ that the experience was a "nightmare.". 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. According to investigators, her boyfriend broke up with her that day. Wilson Wong is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News Digital. 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. Minutes after that, her cell phone left the cellular network, meaning it was either powered off or destroyed. 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. Prosecutors say it appears 19-year-old Saniya Dennis took her own life. Vandergrift is a radio host for Wild 94.9, where Yi is a host as well. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo State student is still missing, a week after she was last seen on campus. BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There's a tragic update on a missing college student from the Bronx. All of this information was provided to Dennis parents on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities are continuing their search for a missing New York college student who disappeared more than a week ago. The male friend and Dennis' boyfriend did not immediately report her suspected disappearance, according to the DA. If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, there is help. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Dennis, who is from the Bronx, is described as 5 feet, 3 inches tall, approximately 125 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. 2. Saniyya Dennis, a 19-year-old sophomore from the Bronx, was last seen leaving her college dorm on April 24. Striking, his post is a screenshot of what is alleged to be a snapchat from Saniyya. Dennis Family via Buffalo State University Police, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "This is not like her. 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. Saturday, the search for her continued, with family and friends again canvassing. Authorities in New York believe that a missing Buffalo State University sophomore took her own life, but investigators have not found Saniyya Dennis' body. They stopped picking up the scent near Goat Island, Flynn 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. This story has been shared 167,794 times. 2023 Cable News Network. 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. ET, Dennis was seen leaving her dorm room at State University of New York College at Buffalo. 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. It appears this poor girl took her own life, Flynn says. 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 . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found.". "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.". As a father of five, this is difficult.. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. Authorities are continuing their search for a missing New York college student who disappeared more than a week ago. Flynn did not say what those items were, but said they would make someone believe she wasnt planning to return to her dorm. 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. Authorities are searching for a New York college sophomore who disappeared over a week ago. 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. Investigators said her cellphone left the network about 1:20 a.m. April 25, which means it was either destroyed or powered off. Campus police are working with a variety of local, state and federal agencies to locate Dennis, according to UPD. 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. BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There's a tragic update on a missing college student from the Bronx.