(for youth and family crises): (716) 882-4357. She has a good heart.. Wilson Wong. Dennis continued to attempt contacting him, and said she was going to kill herself. Saniyya Dennis,. @DAErieCountyNY says #saniyyadennis parents are unaccepting their daughter committed suicide. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Authorities and volunteer search teams are still franticly searching for 19-year-old Saniyya Dennis. We've received your submission. That video has not been made public. Missing Buffalo State College student presumed dead: DA - New York Post As student remains missing, family airs frustration | WBFO 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. Saniyya Dennis was last seen on April 24. 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. Published: Mar. 4, 2023 at 12:11 PM PST | Updated: moments ago. Anyone with information is asked to contact Buffalo State Police at (716) 878-6333. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. I feel awful for the parents, he said. All rights reserved. About 11 p.m. For nearly two weeks, search parties have combed through Niagara Falls in the hopes of finding Saniyya Dennis. 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. Anyone with information about the search for Vandergrift is asked to call SFPD Tip Line at 415-575 . She also spoke about dying by suicide with a male friend, he added. While the Erie County District Attorneys Office does not typically become involved in missing person cases unless there is evidence of criminality, we assisted in this multi-agency effort to find Saniyya at the request of SUNY Buffalo State College University Police. Family of missing Buffalo State student to hold birthday balloon launch If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, help is available. 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. 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. Public's help sought in finding missing SUNY Buffalo State student If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Missing NY college student: $10K reward offered after Niagara Falls 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. Dennis, 19, was last seen on April 24 leaving her residence hall around 11:30 p.m., according to University Police. According to the DA, video from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority showed she rode two different buses going toward Niagara Falls. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen on the SUNY Buffalo State College campus on April 24, the. 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The family demanded a federal investigation by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. Around 1 a.m., the teen took a Snapchat selfie near the Nikola Tesla monument with Niagara Falls in the background, according to Flynn. 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. 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. BUFFALO, N.Y. Nearly two weeks after the disappearance of Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis, officials announced Thursday they believe the Bronx teen might have taken her own. Shortly after throwing those personal items away, her bus card was swiped at a nearby bus. "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.". Saniyya Dennis, a. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? About 20 minutes later, she texted a male friend, telling him that she spoke with her mom and was on her way back to Buffalo. The family also raised issues with the Snapchat post Flynn referenced and suggested it could have been doctored. Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? said Dennis father, Calvin Byrd. Parents of missing Buffalo State student 'very concerned' about - MSN Authorities in New York believe that a missing Buffalo State University sophomore took her own life, but investigators have not found Saniyya Dennis' body. New York authorities are searching for missing Buffalo State - CNN During a news conference Friday, Dennis' family criticized police for not moving fast enough and stalling a search party. Theyve been placing flyers on any available surface and calling for the publics help. Dennis, 19, was. Hours later, Dennis told a friend she was going to jump off a bridge and took a selfie with Niagara Falls in the background. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Her family told police she may be in the Stall Road area, the Hawthorn Suites on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston or . Dennis parents were notified of the investigations findings Wednesday afternoon, the DA said. (Buffalo State College). Buffalo State Police said it obtained surveillance footage of Saniyya at the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) bus terminal in downtown Buffalo, WGRZ reported. My thoughts and prayers remain with Saniyyas family and friends during this difficult time. 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. This story has been shared 167,794 times. NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. On Wednesday community members continued to search for Dennis, a 19-year-old Buffalo State College student. 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. The male friend and Dennis' boyfriend did not immediately report her suspected disappearance, according to the DA. 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. If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, there is help. N.Y., federal police search for college student Saniyya Dennis, who Dennis, of Bronx, New York, is a college sophomore. "My daughter is a Black honor roll student at the college and has no tendency of doing nothing, Calvin Byrd, Dennis father, said. Missing Buff State student sought in Falls - Niagara Gazette Missing Buffalo State College student apparently died by suicide 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. She attempted to call him 59 and talked about killing herself, Flynn said. The family chastised Flynn for putting forth a narrative that was an easy sell without considering alternative scenarios involving foul play. Prosecutors say Dennis' boyfriend was in New York City at the time and is not a suspect. Search continues for missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis Missing SUNY Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis. MORE | Family of missing Buffalo State student calls for communitys help, offers reward for students whereabouts. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Saniyya Dennis, 19, is a sophomore who was. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There's a tragic update on a missing college student from the Bronx. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, In fact, we specifically addressed that issue with law enforcement days before Mr. Flynn took over the case, the statement said of the video. In that conversation, Dennis said she was going to jump off a bridge. 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. Missing Buffalo State Student Saniya Dennis Appears To Have Taken Her We will be out here every single day for you until we find you because you deserve that.. Missing College Student Was Found Slain After Telling Mom on Phone She They asked Flynn not to use to words committed suicide. He slept on it and chose to say Saniyya took her own life.. "Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found.". 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?. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "It appears that this poor girl took her own life," Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told reporters during a morning news conference. Police search for missing Buffalo State College student - Yahoo! News 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. Updated: 9:14 AM EDT May 6, 2021. "She was a good friend, a good person. Several minutes later, her phone left her cellular network. He then called her, and they spoke for about 45 minutes. Thank you to all who have assisted in the search to find Saniyya. "I think time is of the essence When it happens like this, it's a very time sensitive matter.". Flynn said on the afternoon of April 24, Dennis got into an argument with her boyfriend in New York City over the phone. Dennis, of Bronx, New York, is a college sophomore. However, cellphone records showed that to not be true. Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College student, has been missing since she was captured on surveillance video leaving her residence hall on April 24. 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.. The 19-year-old was last seen leaving her dorm room at SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, authorities said. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. I commend SUNY Buffalo State College, Buffalo State College University Police, New York State Park Police, Niagara Frontier Transit Authority Police, New York State Police, Mayor Byron Brown, Buffalo Police Department, Niagara County Sheriffs Office, Niagara Regional Police, New York Police Department, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies who have dedicated their time and resources to this ongoing investigation. Missing New York College Student Died by Apparent Suicide: Officials Milford . Dogs were trained to pick up her scent. 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. The search continues for missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis "This is not like her. Saniyya I. Dennis, a Bronx native, was last seen April. Missing Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis is believed to have taken her own life. Investigators said her cellphone left the network about 1:20 a.m. April 25, which means it was either destroyed or powered off. 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. These dismissive acts caused victim blaming and shaming. Saniyya Dennis is seen in this undated released by Buffalo State University Police to help locate, on May 1, 2021. Mycalia Raine Wilson was last seen at approximately 11:35 p.m. on Tuesday night at the family home, police said. Published Authorities are continuing their search for a missing New York college student who disappeared more than a week ago. 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. Missing Buffalo student Saniyya Dennis appears to have died of - PIX11 While authorities have not recovered her body, they believe Dennis died by suicide based on the timeline of her last hours. Flynn did not say what those items were, but said they would make someone believe she wasnt planning to return to her dorm. 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. "Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? All rights reserved. If this was somebody else's kid, I think it wouldve happened like this," Calvin Byrd, Dennis's father, said at the news conference. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. She was by herself. Prosecutors say it appears 19-year-old Saniya Dennis took her own life. 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. / CBS News. 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. Temple University leadership under fire as concerns over safety grow 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 family told reporters that they were alerted by one of Dennis' friends that she may have gotten on a bus to Niagara Park. Efforts to reach Dennis family at phone numbers listed for them were unsuccessful Thursday. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. 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 Saturday. This story has been shared 106,229 times. 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. According to investigators, her boyfriend broke up with her that day. Flynn said dogs searching the area in Niagara Falls State Park lost Dennis' scent near the water's edge. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace. Authorities are continuing their search for a missing New York college student who disappeared more than a week ago. Niagara Falls was in the background. Saturday, the search for her continued, with family and friends again canvassing Niagara Falls State Park and the surrounding area. Why does it take so long to get video footage of buses? "I can't leave if I didn't say I looked at every inch of this park," he told "Good Morning America." Police searching for missing NY college student Saniyya Dennis 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. "It appears that this poor [] 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. Missing woman found alive after more than 30 years; family reacts Buffalo State remains in close consultation with and is supporting the Dennis family," Carey said in a statement this weekend. She will forever be a member of our Buffalo State family," Conway-Turner added. Carey said during a news conference Friday that investigators have found no cell phone, electronic or financial activity since Dennis disappeared. Odd, Flynn held his conference days before Mothers Day without any regard for the Dennis family, the statement said. "There is a possibility that if we believe what happened happened, we may never find her body," he said. The day she disappeared,Dennishad an argument with her boyfriend that led to him breaking up with her,Flynnsaid. "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. 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 statement challenged or refuted more than a dozen assertions laid out by Flynn during his news conference. Legal Statement. 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. 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. May 7, 2021 / 11:13 AM 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. WSP seeks help finding missing Indigenous woman considered to be at-risk Dennis had not been in contact with her family, according to Carey. There exists no evidence that it came from Saniyya A person named Keith K posted it via social media days later. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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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. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. 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. 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. Update: Two missing Eugene women have been found 14. 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. Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College student, has been missing since she was captured on surveillance video leaving her residence hall on April 24. 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. 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. College student from Bronx missing from Buffalo State - ABC7 New York 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. HANAHAN, S.C. (WCSC) - Police in Hanahan are searching for a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing on Tuesday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. She also texted her friend, saying she wouldnt see him this summer. You can watch DA Flynns full news conference below. 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. Erie Countys Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day: 716-834-3131. "That's a possibility.". BUFFALO, N.Y. Family and friends of a missing Buffalo State student are hoping that she is found safely. Family said Saniyya is an honor student studying mechanical engineering. (Buffalo State College) Her. University Police is working with police agencies at the local, stateand federal level, Carey said. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text a crisis counselor at 741741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The crash was reported around 2:30 p.m. near Trident Tech on Rivers Avenue. 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. On Friday at 7 p.m., Mishealia Marie Meredith, 19, of Harrisburg, left a home where she. 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. She also defended the University Police Chief Peter Carey, saying he and his officers have been working tirelessly to locate Saniyya. Cameras last captured 19-year-old Saniyya Dennis leaving her dorm room, last Saturday night Did you encounter any technical issues? ", Saniyya worked two jobs. Her father, Calvin Byrd, has since traveled to Niagara Falls to search for his daughter. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. According to the WSP, 49-year-old Denell Kelly . 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. (Courtesy Dennis family) Flynn said on the afternoon of April 24, Dennis got into an argument with her boyfriend in New York City. 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.