Family of missing Buffalo State student to hold birthday balloon launch 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. Striking, his post is a screenshot of what is alleged to be a snapchat from Saniyya. 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. . (Source: WPXI/ROSS TOWNSHIP POLICE/CNN) Yesterday afternoon, members of my office met with the family of Saniyya Dennis to provide an update on the investigation into her disappearance. All rights reserved. He is a native of Fremont. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The search continues for missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis It appears that this poor girl took her own life,Erie County District Attorney John Flynnsaidat a news conferenceThursday morning. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Prosecutors say Dennis' boyfriend was in New York City at the time and is not a suspect. 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 say her cell phone was later pinged near Goat Island in Niagara Falls, which is why groups have narrowed their search to that area. She also defended the University Police Chief Peter Carey, saying he and his officers have been working tirelessly to locate Saniyya. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Saniyya Dennis, the New York college student who disappeared last month, died by apparent suicide, officials said Thursday. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. A Pennsylvania woman who has been missing for more than 30 years is found alive in an adult care home in Puerto Rico. Flynn said he provided details of the investigation to Dennis parents Wednesday. Dennis, 19, was last seen leaving her dorm on April 24. 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. Efforts to reach Dennis' family by phone numbers listed for them were unsuccessful Monday. During a news conference on Friday, Dennis family members said it was uncharacteristic of her to suddenly disappear. Wilson Wong is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News Digital. As a father of five, this is difficult.. DA: Missing Buff State student appears to have died of suicide She was last seen. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Saniyya Dennis,. He added authorities may never find her body because of the rocks below the area where her scent was last picked up. Saniyya Dennis disappeared from SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, officials said. For nearly two weeks, search parties have combed through Niagara Falls in the hopes of finding Saniyya Dennis. A portion of Rivers Avenue near Hayne Street is blocked off because of the crash . If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Dogs were trained to pick up her scent. Discovery Company. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Missing College Student Was Found Slain After Telling Mom on Phone She The body, believed to be that of a missing Buffalo State College student, was found in a shallow grave Friday morning in a wooded area near Snow's Marina on the Lake Erie shoreline, police said . 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. A 19-year-old SUNY Buffalo State College sophomore has been missing for more than a week, according to the university and her family. 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. (Buffalo State College) Her. You can watch DA Flynns full news conference below. "That's a possibility.". Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The statement challenged or refuted more than a dozen assertions laid out by Flynn during his news conference. Anyone with information that may be of assistance to the investigation is asked to contact Buffalo States University Police Department at (716) 878-6333 or police@buffalostate.edu. ", Saniyya worked two jobs. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Investigators later revealed that Dennis' phone pinged off of a cell tower near Niagara Falls State Park around 1:23 a.m. April 25. That evening, Dennis and her friend stayed on the phone together for about four hours. He then called her, and they spoke for about 45 minutes. Dennis parents were notified of the investigations findings Wednesday afternoon, the DA said. "Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found.". New York authorities are searching for missing Buffalo State - CNN This story has been shared 106,229 times. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. "Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. College student from Bronx missing from Buffalo State - ABC7 New York Flynn said on the afternoon of April 24, Dennis got into an argument with her boyfriend in New York City over the phone. 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. 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. 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 are struggling with suicidal thoughts,click here for resources. 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. Flynn said investigators will not definitively know what happened to Dennis until her body is found and an autopsy is conducted. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Missing Buffalo State College student apparently died by suicide 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. 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. Missing NY college student: $10K reward offered after Niagara Falls 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. About 20 minutes after this, she texted a male friend, and said that she spoke with her mom and was on her way back to Buffalo. Legal Statement. 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. "We've never had a missing person case such as this we're experiencing now with Ms. Dennis," Carey said. Temple University leadership under fire as concerns over safety grow The college sophomore was last seen around 11 p.m. on April 24 in surveillance footage leaving her residence hall. Mayor Brown meets with the family of missing Buffalo State student Katherine Conway-Turner, the president of Buffalo State College, expressed her support to Dennis' friends and family on Thursday. Family said she handed in a school assignment before catching a bus to Niagara Falls. But Flynn says her body may not be able to be recovered. 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. Public's help sought in finding missing SUNY Buffalo State student 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. Authorities are continuing their search for a missing New York college student who disappeared more than a week ago. Missing Buffalo student's family refutes suicide claim by DA Dennis parents, multiple agencies and local residents had been involved in anearly two-week searchfor the student. Ive finally had enough.. 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. 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 . 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.. A college sophomore, Dennis was last seen leaving her dorm on April 24. For more information, visit CrisisServices.org. 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. She was last seen April 24 leaving her dorm at Buffalo State College. It is impossible to prove the photo or image is of a person. 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.. 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. Parents of missing Buffalo State student 'very concerned' about - MSN Missing Buff State student sought in Falls - Niagara Gazette Her father, Calvin Byrd, has since traveled to Niagara Falls to search for his daughter. She attempted to call him 59 and talked about killing herself, Flynn said. Updated: 9:14 AM EDT May 6, 2021. "It appears that this poor girl took her own life," Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told reporters during a morning news conference. But that was not true, according to cell phone records. appreciated. Saniyya Dennis was last seen on April 24. 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. As she was there, she received a text from a friend telling her to call him or else hell call police. 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. The 19-year-old was last seen on April 24. She has a good heart.. Anyone with information is asked to contact Buffalo State Police at (716) 878-6333. Officials are asking anyone with information regarding the investigation to contact the University Police Department at Buffalo State College. 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. Missing Hopkinton teen found dead in Milford woods (Buffalo State College). Search continues for missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis 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. These dismissive acts caused victim blaming and shaming. That video has not been made public. Buffalo State University Police says. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. Odd, Flynn held his conference days before Mothers Day without any regard for the Dennis family, the statement said. 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. Dennis, 19, was last seen on April 24 leaving her residence hall around 11:30 p.m., according to University Police. Dennis, a sophomore at Buffalo State College, disappeared after leaving her dorm on April 24. 2023 Cable News Network. Wife of missing Wild 94.9 morning show host 'JV' shares update 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. UPD described Dennis as a 5 feet, 3 inches tall Black woman weighing 125 pounds. Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? said Dennis father, Calvin Byrd. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo State student is still missing, a week after she was last seen on campus. This story has been shared 167,794 times. 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. Despite the evidence, the DA said the search for Dennis will continue. All of this information was provided to Dennis parents on Wednesday afternoon. @DAErieCountyNY says #saniyyadennis parents are unaccepting their daughter committed suicide. Update: Two missing Eugene women have been found Market data provided by Factset. 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 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. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. "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.". 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. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text a crisis counselor at 741741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. 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. IE 11 is not supported. Investigators initially said Dennis may have been in the Western New York area or traveled to Yonkers, just north of the Bronx. Why does it take so long to get video footage of buses? According to investigators, her boyfriend broke up with her that day. Did you encounter any technical issues? No all I can do is present you everything I have.. 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. The family demanded a federal investigation by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. Why does it take so long to get video footage of buses?. "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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Rather, it is nothing more than a black dot shot from a distance. This is not like her, Dennis sister said at the press conference Friday, CNN affiliate WKBW reported. We will be out here every single day for you until we find you because you deserve that.. Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College student, has been missing since she was captured on surveillance video leaving her residence hall on April 24. 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. The male friend and Dennis' boyfriend did not immediately report her suspected disappearance, according to the DA. / CBS New York. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Flynn said she got into an argument with her boyfriend, which ended with him breaking up with her.. Family and supporters of missing Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis have been looking for leads in the case in Niagara Falls. Authorities in New York believe that a missing Buffalo State University sophomore took her own life, but investigators have not found Saniyya Dennis' body. Woman'S Body Found in Woods May Be Buffalo State Student "I would ask that our campus and Western New York community keep her family in your thoughts," she said in a statement. 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. 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. "Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found. Flynn did not say what those items were, but said they would make someone believe she wasnt planning to return to her dorm. Authorities are continuing their search for a missing New York college student who disappeared more than a week ago. It was unclear what the personal items were. While authorities have not recovered her body, they believe Dennis died by suicide based on the timeline of her last hours. All Rights Reserved. Please enter valid email address to continue. The district attorney and officials indicated they believe Dennis never left Niagara Falls State Park. Missing Buffalo student Saniyya Dennis appears to have died of - PIX11 During a news conference Friday, Dennis' family criticized police for not moving fast enough and stalling a search party. "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). 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 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. 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.