Family deny vile rumour why mum jumped with her kids off Niagara Falls

A mum who jumped off with her children - including a four-month-old girl - was experiencing , her family claim.

Police say Chianti Means's actions were "intentional" as they continue to investigate ; Roman Rossman, nine, and four-month-old Mecca Means at the natural attraction last month. A close friend said following the tragedy.

Speculation had circulated on social media the deaths stemmed from Ms Means's split with the father of her daughter, Mecca. However, Ms Means's cousin Bierra Hamilton, asserted heartbreak was not the motive behind Means's actions. She claims the 33-year-old mother was suffering from postpartum depression. This is a common type of depression that many parents - both mums and dads - experience after having a baby.

Ms Hamilton said: "Understand this - postpartum [depression] is very real and needs a cure. Her death wasn’t over a man. My cousin was silently fighting depression alone."

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Before her interview with on Saturday, Ms Hamilton wrote on her family did not know the "real reason" for Ms Means's actions.

But the woman was quick to shoot down on social media rumours about Ms Means's split. She swiftly responded to people spreading false information about the situation involving her cousin, who sometimes went under the name of Diamond Scott.

The Facebook post had read: "Diamond Scott did not end her life over no man. Let's just be clear. It's no evidence of that. YALL BE LOUD AND WRONG."

Postnatal depression can start any time in the first year after giving birth. The says signs - in men and women - can include any of or a combination of the following;

• a persistent feeling of sadness and low mood

• lack of enjoyment and loss of interest in the wider world

• lack of energy and feeling tired all the time

• trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day

• finding it difficult to look after yourself and your baby

• withdrawing from contact with other people

• problems concentrating and making decisions

• frightening thoughts – for example, about hurting your baby

The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email or head to the to find your nearest branch. You matter.