Dennis, a sophomore at Buffalo State College, disappeared after leaving her dorm on April 24. There exists no evidence that it came from Saniyya A person named Keith K posted it via social media days later. She also defended the University Police Chief Peter Carey, saying he and his officers have been working tirelessly to locate Saniyya. These dismissive acts caused victim blaming and shaming. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available 24 hours a day: 1-800-273-8255. Authorities are searching for a New York college sophomore who disappeared over a week ago. Missing Bronx college student Saniyya Dennis (family/officials), by: Lauren Cook, Evan Anstey/WIVB, Mark Sundstrom. If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, there is help. 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. Published: Mar. Around 1 a.m., Dennis took a Snapchat selfie near the Nikola Tesla monument. I feel awful for the parents, he said. Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? said Dennis father, Calvin Byrd. At 12:19 a.m., the male friend called her and they spoke for 45 minutes, Flynn said. 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.. 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. Yesterday afternoon, members of my office met with the family of Saniyya Dennis to provide an update on the investigation into her disappearance. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Campus police are working with a variety of local, state and federal agencies to locate Dennis, according to UPD. Why does it take so long to get video footage of buses?. 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen on the SUNY Buffalo State College campus on April 24, the University Police Department (UPD) told CNN. 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. The investigation found no evidence of criminality in the case. A portion of Rivers Avenue near Hayne Street is blocked off because of the crash . Saniyya was last seen leaving her dorm. 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. MORE | Family of missing Buffalo State student calls for communitys help, offers reward for students whereabouts. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! "We combed the whole park, even places where she was nowhere near, putting up flyers," Byrd said on Saturday. Agencies working the case include: New York State Police, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Clearinghouse, NYS Park Police, City of Buffalo Police, City of Niagara Falls Police, Erie County Sheriffs Office, Erie Crime Analysis Center, Erie County District Attorneys Office, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Police, Niagara Regional Police, Amtrak Police, and the United States Secret Service. BUFFALO, New York (WABC) -- A SUNY Buffalo State College student from the Bronx who has. 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. Anyone with information about the search for Vandergrift is asked to call SFPD Tip Line at 415-575 . According to the DA, video from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority showed she rode two different buses going toward Niagara Falls. A ping from her cellphone was detected aboute two hours later inNiagara Falls State Park, 17 miles from campus. 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. A Warner Bros. Flynn did not say what those items were, but said they would make someone believe she wasnt planning to return to her dorm. She was last seen April 24 leaving her dorm at Buffalo State College. 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 . Flynn said she got into an argument with her boyfriend, which ended with him breaking up with her. Dennis, 19, was last seen leaving her dorm on April 24. Authorities are continuing their search for a missing New York college student who disappeared more than a week ago. Some are going to say without a body, do youdefinitelyknow that she took her own life? Flynn continued. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College student, has been missing since she was captured on surveillance video leaving her residence hall on April 24. Saniyya Dennis was last seen on April 24. Dennis, 19, was. My office and our partners in law enforcement have found no evidence of any criminality in this case. 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. Minutes after that text, her cellphone left the cellular network, meaning it was either powered off or destroyed, according to officials. Dennis, 19, was last seen on April 24 leaving her residence hall around 11:30 p.m., according to University Police. Saniyya Dennis, 19, is a sophomore who was. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. "There is a possibility that if we believe what happened happened, we may never find her body," he said. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. 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. "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. 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. 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. appreciated. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Im so done with my own life, and living it, the text read, according to WIVB. 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. Thats where a search party gathered early Wednesday evening in the latest hopes to find the young woman. 4, 2023 at 12:11 PM PST | Updated: moments ago. Erie Countys Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day: 716-834-3131. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. 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. 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. Milford . "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. The family of a Buffalo State College student missing since late April will hold a balloon launch Monday to mark her 20th birthday. 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. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - North Charleston Police are responding to a crash with serious injuries Saturday afternoon. 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? All rights reserved. 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. Saturday, the search for her continued, with family and friends again canvassing. 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 . 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. 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. 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. Saniyya Dennis, a 19-year-old sophomore from the Bronx, was last seen leaving her college dorm on April 24. . "My daughter is a Black honor roll student at the college and has no tendency of doing nothing, Calvin Byrd, Dennis father, 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. About 11 p.m. "Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found. Dennis, of Bronx, New York, is a college sophomore. Prosecutors say it appears 19-year-old Saniya Dennis took her own life. The family told reporters that they were alerted by one of Dennis' friends that she may have gotten on a bus to Niagara Park. Around Midnight, Dennis texted her mother, telling her she loves her and that shell call her the next day. 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. Prosecutors say it appears 19-year-old Saniya Dennis took her own life. Why does it take so long to get video footage of buses? This is not like her, Dennis sister said at the press conference Friday, CNN affiliate WKBW reported. "We've never had a missing person case such as this we're experiencing now with Ms. Dennis," Carey said. It appears this poor girl took her own life, Flynn says. "I can't leave if I didn't say I looked at every inch of this park," he told "Good Morning America." There is currently no evidence of foul play, authorities said. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. 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. BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There's a tragic update on a missing college student from the Bronx. 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. 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. "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. 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. May 7, 2021 / 11:13 AM This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 14. 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. "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.". Warning: The content may be triggering. 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. 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. Striking, his post is a screenshot of what is alleged to be a snapchat from Saniyya. BUFFALO, N.Y. Family and friends of a missing Buffalo State student are hoping that she is found safely. Her father, Calvin Byrd, has since traveled to Niagara Falls to search for his daughter. Missing SUNY Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis. 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. Authorities are continuing their search for a missing New York college student who disappeared more than a week ago. They stopped picking up the scent near Goat Island, Flynn said. In that conversation, she had said she was reconsidering what she said about suicide, and was feeling better than she was earlier. "I would ask that our campus and Western New York community keep her family in your thoughts," she said in a statement. 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. M issing for over a week, family and friends continue to search for 19-year-old Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis. No all I can do is present you everything I have.. "I think time is of the essence When it happens like this, it's a very time sensitive matter.". Discovery Company. 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. "This is not like her. 2023 Cable News Network. But Flynn says her body may not be able to be recovered. Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. 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. Dennis continued to attempt contacting him, and said she was going to kill herself. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. The 19-year-old Buff State sophomore was last seen leaving an elevator in her dorm building the night of April 24. The crash was reported around 2:30 p.m. near Trident Tech on Rivers Avenue. This story has been shared 106,229 times. The Buffalo State College sophomore was last seen leaving her dorm room on April 24th, but. The family accused Buffalo State University, police and Flynns office of not taking Dennis disappearance seriously, including a delay in responding to multiple requests for a wellness check on April 25. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. She has a good heart.. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo State student is still missing, a week after she was last seen on campus. The 19-year-old was last seen on April 24. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Family said she handed in a school assignment before catching a bus to Niagara Falls. In the meantime, the family of Saniyya Dennis has traveled to Buffalo from New York City, and expressed their frustration Friday over the investigation so far. Flynn said on the afternoon of April 24, Dennis got into an argument with her boyfriend in New York City over the phone. "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.". This is not of her nature.. Authorities and volunteer search teams are still franticly searching for 19-year-old Saniyya Dennis. Saniyya Dennis, 19, has been missing since Saturday night. 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. The two remained on the phone for several hours before she later told the male friend she had reconsidered. It was unclear what the personal items were. The 19-year-old was last seen leaving her dorm room at SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, authorities said. Dennis, 19, was last seen on April 24 leaving her residence hall around 11:30 p.m., according to University Police. According to investigators, her boyfriend broke up with her that day. 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. February 28, 2023. She will forever be a member of our Buffalo State family," Conway-Turner added. Vandergrift is a radio host for Wild 94.9, where Yi is a host as well. Family and supporters of missing Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis have been looking for leads in the case in Niagara Falls. Dennis, a sophomore at Buffalo State College, disappeared after leaving her dorm on April 24. Flynn said investigators will not definitively know what happened to Dennis until her body is found and an autopsy is conducted. 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. "It appears that this poor girl took her own life," Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told reporters during a morning news conference. The family demanded a federal investigation by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. Dennis parents were notified of the investigations findings Wednesday afternoon, the DA said. 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.. or redistributed. "It appears that this poor [] The male friend and Dennis' boyfriend did not immediately report her suspected disappearance, according to the DA. During a news conference on Friday, Dennis family members said it was uncharacteristic of her to suddenly disappear. 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. In the meantime, volunteers, friends and family have formed search parties to help find Dennis. She was last seen. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. (Buffalo State College). 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. "If what I believe happened, happened, we may never find the body. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Multiple law enforcement agencies and numerous volunteers were involved in a search for Dennis following her disappearance. Her family told police she may be in the Stall Road area, the Hawthorn Suites on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston or . 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. 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.