Did you encounter any technical issues? Saturday, the search for her continued, with family and friends again canvassing. Flynn said all of this information had been communicated to Dennis parents on Wednesday afternoon. 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. 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. "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). The two remained on the phone for several hours before she later told the male friend she had reconsidered. "It appears that this poor girl took her own life," Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told reporters during a morning news conference. 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. 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. Flynn said on the afternoon of April 24, Dennis got into an argument with her boyfriend in New York City over the phone. 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. Around 1 a.m., the teen took a Snapchat selfie near the Nikola Tesla monument with Niagara Falls in the background, according to Flynn. Missing Buffalo student's family refutes suicide claim by DA 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. "Why does it take so long to get subpoenas to cellphone records? All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For nearly two weeks, search parties have combed through Niagara Falls in the hopes of finding Saniyya Dennis. Odd, Flynn held his conference days before Mothers Day without any regard for the Dennis family, the statement said. Desperate for any leads, her dad, also known as rapper 40 Cal,offered a cash rewardin a caption of one of his Instagram posts. Officials are asking anyone with information regarding the investigation to contact the University Police Department at Buffalo State College. A 19-year-old SUNY Buffalo State College sophomore has been missing for more than a week, according to the university and her family. As NBC News reports, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told reporters during a news conference Thursday morning that he believes Dennis, 19, died of suicide. Police searching for missing NY college student Saniyya Dennis She was last seen. or redistributed. I feel awful for the parents, he said. 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. 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. There exists no evidence that it came from Saniyya A person named Keith K posted it via social media days later. This was around 11 p.m. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. A portion of Rivers Avenue near Hayne Street is blocked off because of the crash . Dennis parents were notified of the investigations findings Wednesday afternoon, the DA 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.. 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. This is not of her nature," Saniyyas sister, Keyora Dennis, said at a recent press conference Friday. It was unclear what the personal items were. He then called her, and they spoke for about 45 minutes. Katherine Conway-Turner, the president of Buffalo State College, expressed her support to Dennis' friends and family on Thursday. According to investigators, her boyfriend broke up with her that day. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The 19-year-old Buff State sophomore was last seen leaving an elevator in her dorm building the night of April 24. 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. 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. Some are going to say without a body, do youdefinitelyknow that she took her own life? Flynn continued. Saniyya Dennis disappeared from SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, officials said. 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 . 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. Her family told police she may be in the Stall Road area, the Hawthorn Suites on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston or . Flynn did not say what those items were, but said they would make someone believe she wasnt planning to return to her dorm. Her family members reported her missing to Buffalo State police on April 26, which prompted a widespread investigation. (Courtesy Dennis family) Flynn said on the afternoon of April 24, Dennis got into an argument with her boyfriend in New York City. "This is not like her. You can watch DA Flynns full news conference below. "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. 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. Minutes after that, her cell phone left the cellular network, meaning it was either powered off or destroyed. Search continues for missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis About an hour after that phone conversation ended, Dennis threw personal items into a garbage can. They stopped picking up the scent near Goat Island, Flynn said. It appears that this poor girl took her own life,Erie County District Attorney John Flynnsaidat a news conferenceThursday morning. Published: Mar. 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, N.Y. Family and friends of a missing Buffalo State student are hoping that she is found safely. "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.". 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. Contact Crisis Services 24-hour hotline for support: 716-834-3131. 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. Efforts to reach Dennis' family by phone numbers listed for them were unsuccessful Monday. U.S. news Saniyya Dennis, missing Buffalo State College student, took her own life, DA says The 19-year-old was last seen leaving her dorm room at SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24,. Saniyya Dennis,. Saniyya Dennis, the 19-year-old SUNY Buffalo State College who went missing last month, died by apparent suicide, according to officials. Why does it take so long to get video footage of buses? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text a crisis counselor at 741741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. / CBS News. "She was a good friend, a good person. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen on the SUNY Buffalo State College campus on April 24, the. Woman'S Body Found in Woods May Be Buffalo State Student Latisha Dennis says she will put up. Dennis, of Bronx, New York, is a college sophomore. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen leaving her dorm room at the SUNY Buffalo . 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. These dismissive acts caused victim blaming and shaming. / CBS New York. "If what I believe happened, happened, we may never find the body. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Several minutes later, her phone left her cellular network. 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. 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 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. Buffalo State University Police says. It appears this poor girl took her own life, Flynn says. appreciated. University Police is working with police agencies at the local, stateand federal level, Carey said. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. While authorities have not recovered her body, they believe Dennis died by suicide based on the timeline of her last hours. She then sent a text telling him she planned to kill herself, Flynn said. Saniyya Dennis, missing Buffalo State College student, took her own Discovery Company. 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. 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. "An exhaustive search and review of the evidence has. 2. BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There's a tragic update on a missing college student from the Bronx. She also texted her friend, saying she wouldnt see him this summer. An Illinois college student who was last seen leaving a residence on Friday night has been found dead. 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. NFTA, Buffalo State Police not releasing NFTA video of Saniyya - WGRZ Why does it take so long to get video footage of buses?. Ivy Marie Gilbert added, posting it on Facebook is absolutely helpful and stuff but being local, its really helpful to actually get out here and do it.. 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. The 19-year-old was last seen leaving her dorm room at SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, authorities said. (Source: WPXI/ROSS TOWNSHIP POLICE/CNN) The family demanded a federal investigation by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. Authorities in New York believe that a missing Buffalo State University sophomore took her own life, but investigators have not found Saniyya Dennis' body. Campus police are working with a variety of local, state and federal agencies to locate Dennis, according to UPD. Saniyya Dennis was last seen on April 24. 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. Milford . He added authorities may never find her body because of the rocks below the area where her scent was last picked up. Missing New York College Student Died by Apparent Suicide: Officials Prosecutors say it appears 19-year-old Saniya Dennis took her own life. 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. The 19-year-old was last seen on April 24. Minutes after that text, her cellphone left the cellular network, meaning it was either powered off or destroyed, according to officials. 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. Multiple law enforcement agencies and numerous volunteers were involved in a search for Dennis following her disappearance. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. 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 called her boyfriend, who was in New York City at the time, 59 times in the next several hours, but he didnt pick up. 4, 2023 at 12:11 PM PST | Updated: moments ago. A college sophomore, Dennis was last seen leaving her dorm on April 24. 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. Her father, a former member of the Harlem-based hip-hop group The Diplomats,used his social media presenceto get the word out about his daughters disappearance. Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. She also defended the University Police Chief Peter Carey, saying he and his officers have been working tirelessly to locate Saniyya. 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. 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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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Prosecutors say Dennis' boyfriend was in New York City at the time and is not a suspect. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Search party for missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis says they In that conversation, Dennis said she was going to jump off a bridge. Legal Statement. 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. 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. For more information, visit CrisisServices.org. Family said Saniyya is an honor student studying mechanical engineering. According to the WSP, 49-year-old Denell Kelly . "Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found. As student remains missing, family airs frustration | WBFO Missing Bronx college student Saniyya Dennis (family/officials), by: Lauren Cook, Evan Anstey/WIVB, Mark Sundstrom. 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. HANAHAN, S.C. (WCSC) - Police in Hanahan are searching for a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing on Tuesday. February 28, 2023. "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.". Saniyya I. Dennis, a Bronx native, was last seen April. University Police first reported her disappearance on Wednesday and posted her picture on its website and social media pages. No all I can do is present you everything I have.. 2023 Cable News Network. In a statement released earlier in the week, Buff State President Katherine Conway-Turner called Saniyya a lovely young woman with a bright future ahead. They asked Flynn not to use to words committed suicide. He slept on it and chose to say Saniyya took her own life.. We've received your submission. 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. Dennis, 19, was last seen on April 24 leaving her residence hall around 11:30 p.m., according to University Police. 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! Im so done with my own life, and living it, the text read, according to WIVB. The day she disappeared,Dennishad an argument with her boyfriend that led to him breaking up with her,Flynnsaid. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. Missing Buff State student sought in Falls - Niagara Gazette Saniyya Dennis, 19, has been missing since Saturday night. 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. 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.